How private equity is creating new wealth in South Africa

At a Glance

• South Africa’s private equity fuels growth, jobs, and mid-market company scaling.
• PE deal activity surges, raising funds despite sluggish GDP and low foreign investment.
• Active investment strategies drive wealth, inclusion, tech adoption, and operational transformation.

South Africa’s private equity (PE) sector is quietly emerging as a powerhouse for wealth creation, economic transformation, and job growth, even as the national economy grapples with slow GDP expansion and subdued foreign investment inflows.

With deal activity surging and capital deployment accelerating, PE firms are bridging gaps that traditional banks and public markets often cannot, injecting growth capital into mid-market companies and enabling rapid scaling across critical sectors.

Resilient private equity amid economic headwinds

Despite a sluggish macroeconomic backdrop with GDP growth under 2% and foreign direct investment retreating South Africa’s private equity market has proven resilient. 

Fundraising in 2023 surged to a 13-year high, with total funds rising 43% year-on-year to R28.1 billion, signaling that both domestic and global investors still see long-term value in the country’s private markets.

Industry projections suggest that PE deal value could reach $8 billion by 2025, reinforcing the sector’s growing significance within South Africa’s financial ecosystem.

Capital deployment driving jobs and growth

Private equity distinguishes itself through active investment strategies focused on job creation and operational transformation. Portfolio companies have reported average employment growth of 4.2%, outpacing broader national trends where employment has stagnated.

In 2024, PE firms completed 228 deals worth R26.6 billion, the highest total since 2018. Major allocations targeted infrastructure (27%), energy (13%), and IT (12%), sectors that multiply productivity, innovation, and regional competitiveness.

Value acceleration and wealth creation

Unlike passive investors, PE firms actively shape strategy, governance, and performance management, driving operational efficiency, market expansion, and growth acceleration. This approach has strengthened Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) credentials, improved management diversity, and enhanced scalability.

Exit opportunities, including IPOs, trade sales, and secondary buyouts, continue to generate liquidity for investors, founders, and employees—fueling a virtuous cycle of reinvestment into South Africa’s private markets.

Transforming the economy and promoting inclusion

Private equity is also a catalyst for social and economic transformation. Surveys show an increase in black-owned and black-led portfolio companies, reflecting efforts to broaden economic participation and drive inclusive growth.

ESG investing is gaining traction, with PE firms embedding sustainability, labor practices, and community impact into decision-making—factors increasingly prioritized by global institutional investors.

Driving innovation and tech adoption

South Africa’s fintech and technology sectors are attracting significant PE investment. Firms are funding disruptive business models with regional and global scalability potential, accelerating digital transformation, creating high-value jobs, and enhancing market competitiveness.

AI-powered fintech startups, backed by PE, are exploring multi-million-dollar exits, which could deepen the country’s financial markets and expand access to growth capital.

The road ahead

Although fundraising softened in 2024, investor sentiment is rebounding. Many PE allocators expect stronger deal flow and capital deployment in 2025, betting on improved exit conditions and continued transformation momentum.

For South Africa—where job creation and economic restructuring remain critical—private equity is emerging as a key driver of wealth creation. By unlocking capital, scaling mid-market firms, promoting technological adoption, and embedding ESG principles, PE firms are reshaping the economic landscape while delivering robust financial returns.