How to invest in South Africa using ETFs

How do I invest in South African stocks?

The easiest way to invest in the whole South African stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.

On the South African stock market you'll find 1 index which is tracked by ETFs.

Alternatively, you may invest in indices on Africa.

0.65% p.a.
annual total expense ratio (TER) of South Africa ETFs
on the South African stock market, which is tracked by ETFs
on the South African stock market
 
The best indices for South Africa ETFs

Performance of South African stocks (MSCI South Africa Capped)

1 month: 12.20%
1 year: 14.53%
3 years: 7.54%
5 years: 7.95%
 

Indices in comparison

The best indices for ETFs on South Africa

For an investment in the South African stock market, there is 1 index available which is tracked by 1 ETF. On the MSCI South Africa Capped index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is around 0.65% p.a..

Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description

MSCI South Africa Capped

South Africa 1 ETF 37
(30.11.22)
The MSCI South Africa Capped index tracks large and mid cap South African stocks. The weight of the largest constituent is constrained to 33% and the weights of all other constituents are constrained to a maximum of 18%.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
  Fund size
in m EUR
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
iShares MSCI South Africa UCITS ETFIE00B52XQP83 61 0.65% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
 
Index   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
MSCI South Africa Capped 7.88% 13.36% 7.80% 14.14% 5.90%
Index   2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
MSCI South Africa Capped 7.80% -1.86% 1.83% 12.63% -11.76%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30.06.24; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

 

The best South Africa ETFs
by 1 year return

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The cheapest South Africa ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)

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Alternative investment opportunities

Alternative indices with a large share of South Africa

Besides South Africa ETFs you may consider ETFs on the African stock market or emerging markets. In total, you can invest in 2 Africa indices, which are tracked by 2 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Africa or emerging markets is between 0.65% p.a. and 0.85% p.a..

 
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description
MSCI Emerging and Frontier (EFM) Africa Top 50 Capped Africa
South Africa: 68.66%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 50
The MSCI Emerging and Frontier (EFM) Africa Top 50 Capped index tracks the 50 largest companies from emerging and frontier markets in Africa. The share of single countries and companies is limited.
Index factsheet
SGI Pan Africa Africa
South Africa: 34.83%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 30
The SGI Pan Africa index tracks 30 large stocks listed in Africa or predominantly exploring African assets. The index is equally exposed to three zones with the largest constituents capped at 10%: South Africa, Northern Africa including Morocco, Egypt and Sub-Sahara excluding South-Africa.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
  Fund size
in m EUR
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
Amundi Pan Africa UCITS ETF AccLU1287022708 33 0.85% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
Xtrackers MSCI EFM Africa Top 50 Capped Swap UCITS ETF 1CLU0592217524 27 0.65% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
 
Index   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
SGI Pan Africa 1.63% 6.86% 5.65% 5.53% 3.77%
MSCI Emerging and Frontier (EFM) Africa Top 50 Capped 4.03% 3.51% 0.81% 5.99% -7.89%
Index   2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
MSCI Emerging and Frontier (EFM) Africa Top 50 Capped 0.81% -4.81% -7.59% 13.68% -16.80%
SGI Pan Africa 5.65% 1.26% -7.51% 9.12% -6.58%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30.06.24; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.