Sanlam Investments Alternative Investments team named Africa’s best in 2023

Cape Town, 14 June 2023: In recognition of its continued journey of innovation and impact, Sanlam Investments Alternative Investments team has been named Africa’s Best Alternative Fund Investment Team in the Capital Finance International (CFI.co) Awards*. The accolade celebrates the successes of the team’s United Nations Sustainable Development Goals-linked impact investment strategy. The team were also winners of the same award in 2018.

Sanlam Investments is one of South Africa’s largest black-owned asset management firms. Its purpose is to foster long-term sustainability for the economies in which it operates, particularly those on the African continent.

Mervyn Shanmugam, CEO of Alternative Investments at Sanlam Investments, says the success of the team can be attributed to a combination of elements: a passionate, talented and innovative team, all embracing an impact-led culture, a solid governance structure and unwavering dedication to ethical practices.

“We are extremely proud to have received this recognition of our work in the alternatives space. We are driven by the desire to make a real sustainable difference in the work we do; the jobs we help preserve or create, the small businesses that give us the opportunity to help them grow, the sustainable infrastructure our investors help fund. The investment team is deeply invested in the purpose of our existence and in every element of the investments we make.

“We are indebted to our colleagues, clients and partners who have come along with us on our journey to positively impact the planet and its people,” he says.

With an offering spanning the full spectrum of private equity, private debt, real estate, climate and infrastructure funds, the team:

• Manages USD2-billion in assets.
• Has over the past five years doubled its total ESG and impact assets under management from 24% of total assets under management in 2018 to 52%.
• Has deployed over USD75-million into small and medium enterprises over the last decade.
• Has enabled the creation of thousands of new jobs, the development of thousands of houses and the generation of significant clean energy capacity.
• Has been recognised as an ESG and impact leader in all categories in the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business’s Investing for Impact Barometer 2022.

The CFI.co awards seek out individuals and organisations that contribute significantly to the convergence of economies and truly add value for all stakeholders. CFI.co realises that best practice is to be found throughout the world and the Awards Programme aims to identify and reward excellence wherever it is found in the hope to inspire others to further improve their own performance.

Shanmugam concludes, “We are just getting started, we will continue to expand our footprint in emerging markets and pursue innovative investment opportunities with purpose. With our robust performance and commitment to providing impactful financial solutions, we will work hard to remain at the forefront of Africa’s asset management industry, setting new benchmarks for excellence and impact.”

*The award is effective 31 May 2023 and full details are available from Sanlam Investments.