South Africa shows strong venture capital exits and pan-African financial growth

South Africa is demonstrating strong performance in the venture capital sector, with investment exits rivaling those in developed markets. Since 2009, the country has recorded 226 exits, generating over 2.9 billion rands (approximately $175 million). The achieved return multiple of 2.45x exceeds industry benchmarks in the United States (2.0x to 2.3x), Europe (1.7x to 2.1x), and the United Kingdom (2.2x).

In the broader financial sector, the SanlamAllianz joint venture—a partnership between South Africa’s Sanlam and Germany’s Allianz—has issued its first dividend three years after its launch. The platform, which operates across 27 African markets, aims to mutualize brands, systems, and cash flows to optimize capital across the continent. Integration of the platform is expected to continue through 2026.