Ninety One Retains Top Spot as South Africa’s Largest Asset Managers Are Ranked

Ninety One and Stanlib lead the latest rankings of South African asset managers as multi-manager strategies gain significant market share.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 4:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Investor

Ninety One Leads Domestic Investment Rankings

Ninety One has secured its position as the largest asset manager in South Africa, overseeing R909.93 billion in assets for domestic clients. While this figure reflects its local dominance, the firm’s global reach extends significantly further, with total assets under management exceeding R3 trillion when including its substantial United Kingdom based operations. The firm continues to outpace its nearest competitors in the South African landscape, maintaining a lead established over several years of market volatility and shifting investor preferences.

The Rise of Multi Manager Investment Strategies

A defining trend highlighted in the Alexforbes survey is the rapid expansion of multi manager platforms, which have doubled their market share relative to single managers since 2019. For every R1 managed by traditional single managers, multi managers now hold 30 cents, up from 15 cents just six years ago. This shift has prompted industry giants to overhaul their internal structures, with Old Mutual rebranding its offering as Symmetry and major players like Sanlam and Alexforbes competing aggressively for dominance in this growing sub sector.

Consolidation and Distribution Power at Stanlib

Stanlib claimed the second spot in the rankings, reporting R804.42 billion in assets under management and demonstrating robust year on year growth. Much of this momentum is attributed to the strategic reintegration of Liberty into the Standard Bank Group, which has unlocked vast distribution networks. By leveraging the bank’s extensive client base, Stanlib has enhanced its ability to move products through integrated financial channels, giving it a competitive edge in capital accumulation.