2025 ETF surge sets stage for more runway ahead - Nerina Visser, etfSA

South Africa’s exchange‑traded fund (ETF) industry has just marked its 25th anniversary, with assets under management climbing from R165 billion at the end of 2024 to R285 billion by September 2025 - a surge of more than 70% in nine months. Nerina Visser, co‑owner of ETFSA and South Africa’s leading ETF strategist, says the milestone underscores the industry’s growth potential. “There is a lot of runway left,” she told BizNews in an interview. Despite the rapid expansion, ETFs still account for less than 7% of South Africa’s overall investment universe, according to the Associations for Savings and Investments in South Africa. (ASISA). Visser expects that to change in 2026 as more active managers launch listed funds, income‑focused ETFs attract capital, and smartphone platforms remove barriers to entry. She highlights the appeal across investor groups: younger investors are drawn to instant diversification and the ability to start with as little as R300, while institutions and experienced investors value the transparency, speed, and low fees. With the launch of actively managed ETFs on money app, Shyft from Ninety One, investors can now combine professional portfolio management with the ease of digital trading. The platform offers access to more than 1 200 global and local shares and ETFs, available regardless of where investors bank. Visser believes this combination of innovation and accessibility means many more South Africans will begin treating ETFs as a core part of their portfolios rather than a niche alternative in the year ahead.