How asset managers thrive in SA
02 February 2026
Investing

South Africa’s economy has struggled to grow for years – so what does that mean for asset managers operating in this environment? And can they still thrive?
In this episode of Ask an Analyst, James Slabbert, General Financials Analyst, SBG Securities, explains why muted local growth doesn’t automatically spell trouble for the asset management industry, and how different players are adapting.
He explores:
- Why SA’s low growth and shrinking JSE opportunity set are real headwinds.
- How passive products like ETFs are reshaping competition.
- Why smaller, nimble managers are finding pockets of opportunity.
- How larger asset managers are responding through offshore expansion, alternatives, and private investments.
Key insight: The industry is evolving. Scale, flexibility and return generation increasingly separate the winners from the rest.
Watch now for a clearer view on the future of SA asset managers.