Where should a beginner invest in South Africa?
Your first shares purchase will have to be administered through an order placed with a broker. In South Africa, as an individual client, you have a choice between a full-service broker and a discount broker. While a full-service broker is costlier, you receive professional advice and company research done by analysts.
Your first shares purchase will have to be administered through an order placed with a broker. In South Africa, as an individual client, you have a choice between a full-service broker and a discount broker. While a full-service broker is costlier, you receive professional advice and company research done by analysts.
High-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts are options for beginners and those with a limited amount to invest who like to have their funds easily and quickly accessible. Saving helps you create emergency funds and reach your short-term goals.
Bond funds invest in a portfolio of fixed-income securities, such as government bonds and corporate bonds. These bonds usually pay regular interest income to investors, making them a relatively stable income source.
With Sanlam Smart Invest you can invest in a unit trust from R500 per month and join over 200 000 South Africans who invest with Sanlam. We'll take you through some easy steps to find the right investment for your financial goals.
Investing in a unit trust is easy because unit trust managers purchase assets (like shares) on your behalf. Our investment minimums are affordable and start from as little as R250 per month or a once-off amount of R2 000.
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): ...
- Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA): ...
- Fixed Deposits: ...
- Real Estate: ...
- Retirement Annuities: ...
- Government Bonds: ...
- Unit Trusts:
401(k) or another workplace retirement plan
This can be one of the simplest ways to get started in investing and comes with some major incentives that could benefit you now and in the future. Most employers offer to match a portion of what you agree to save for retirement out of your regular paycheck.
- High-yield savings accounts.
- Certificates of deposit (CDs) and share certificates.
- Money market accounts.
- Treasury securities.
- Series I bonds.
- Municipal bonds.
- Corporate bonds.
- Money market funds.
- Start an emergency fund.
- Use a micro-investing app or robo-advisor.
- Invest in a stock index mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF).
- Buy stocks in fractional shares.
- Put it in your 401(k).
- Open an individual retirement account (IRA).
Is South Africa a good country to invest in?
South Africa has a well-developed and diverse economy, boasting sectors such as mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and financial services. The country's economy is a cornerstone of the African continent, and it offers numerous investment opportunities.
A sure way to get to R1 000 000 is to save your way there! Saving is when you put money in a savings account, usually at a bank, that earns interest. Put away something each month, don't withdraw any money that you have saved or interest you earn, and you can get to your first million.
You can choose a short-, medium- and long-term investment — either way, you're sure to get great rates from us. What is a good investment rate? Investors generally consider a return of 7% per 12-month period to be a good rate of return.
FNB is the preferred bank for personal and business banking among South African retail and institutional investors, with Standard Bank second and Absa third. Discovery Bank is the preferred new digital bank, significantly outperforming TymeBank and Bank Zero.
Access to a wide range of investment products
For the full list of CPFIS-included products, visit the CPF Board's website. *Subject to CPF Board's minimum OA and SA balances before you can invest: S$20,000 for OA and S$40,000 for SA.
- Fixed deposits.
- Unit trusts (collective investment schemes)
- Certain endowment policies issued by long-term insurers.
- Linked investment products.
- Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are classified as collective investment schemes.
Foreigners can purchase property in South Africa if they comply with the legal requirements set out in the Immigration Act, the Foreign Investment Act, and other relevant legislation.
Choose to invest from only R300 per month or a R1000 once off lump sum, or both.
If you wish to invest in a product that preserves capital as well as generates an income, you have a choice of investing in a unit trust fund, a fixed deposit, or an RSA Retail Bond.
- Invest in real estate.
- Gather your savings in a high-yield savings account.
- Invest in the stock market.
- Start a blog.
- Use robo advisors.
- Invest in cryptocurrency.
- Start an e-commerce business.
- Start a dropshipping business.
How much should a beginner investor start with?
You can start with as little as 1% of each paycheck, though it's a good rule of thumb to try to contribute enough to get your employer match.
- High-yield savings accounts.
- Money market funds.
- Short-term certificates of deposit.
- Series I savings bonds.
- Treasury bills, notes, bonds and TIPS.
- Corporate bonds.
- Dividend-paying stocks.
- Preferred stocks.
Money market accounts, certificates of deposit, cash management accounts and high yield savings accounts all carry FDIC insurance. Treasury bills, notes and bonds are backed by the U.S. government, making them another low-risk investment option.
- Stocks.
- Real Estate.
- Private Credit.
- Junk Bonds.
- Index Funds.
- Buying a Business.
- High-End Art or Other Collectables.
Safe assets such as U.S. Treasury securities, high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, and certain types of bonds and annuities offer a lower risk investment option for those prioritizing capital preservation and steady, albeit generally lower, returns.
References
- https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2021/06/14/blog-how-to-attract-private-finance-to-africa-s-development
- https://smartasset.com/retirement/how-long-will-1-million-last-in-retirement
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-good-reasons-why-you-should-invest-africa-nicole-a-ateghang-mba
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/south-africa-still-worth-investing-romeo-mngqibisa-z9nff
- https://wise.com/us/blog/does-cash-app-work-internationally
- https://visitworld.today/blog/1738/the-best-countries-to-invest-in-2023
- https://www.latimes.com/compare-deals/banking/savings/7-percent-interest-savings-accounts
- https://rcs.co.za/media/beginner-investment-opportunities-in-south-africa/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-interest-earn-1-million-150000229.html
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/strategy/safe-investments-with-high-returns/
- https://wise.com/us/blog/does-zelle-work-internationally
- https://www.moneyweb.co.za/qa/advisor-questions/i-won-r3m-in-the-lotto-how-should-i-invest-it/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/best-money-making-apps/
- https://www.finance-monthly.com/2023/10/5-best-investments-for-beginners-in-south-africa/
- https://www.shopify.com/blog/make-money-online-for-beginners
- https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/south-africa-sees-50-bn-foreign-investment-exodus-in-record-eighth-year-678507
- https://fastercapital.com/content/What-are-the-benefits-of-impact-investing.html
- https://www.discovery.co.za/investments/investment-interest
- https://dailyinvestor.com/finance/25878/south-africas-top-banks-among-investors/
- https://africanimpact.com/our-story/work-with-us/
- https://africanimpact.com/the-african-impact-way/responsible-volunteering/
- https://africaimpactinvest.org/
- https://payflex.co.za/merchant-hub/ecommerce-tips/most-bought-online-items-in-south-africa-are-you-stocking-them/
- https://www.ratecompare.co.za/latest-rankings
- https://www.momentum.co.za/momentum/personal/investments/invest/online-investing
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/021615/what-safest-investment.asp
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-make-money-without-a-job
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-12-returns-investment-fellofinance
- https://www.nichepursuits.com/how-to-make-500-a-day/
- https://grit.group/news/real-estate-provides-lucrative-investment-opportunities-in-africa/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/banking/guide-to-cash-advance-apps/
- https://www.sanlaminvestments.com/individual/newinvestor/Pages/how-to-Invest.aspx
- https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/08/here-are-the-richest-countries-in-africa/
- https://www.fnb.co.za/invest/fixed-deposit.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/impact-investing.asp
- https://360mozambique.com/world/africa/where-to-invest-in-africa-a-ranking-of-the-top-10-countries/
- https://www.ibn.co.za/blog-and-news/buying-property/
- https://www.investec.com/en_za/focus/economy/sa-economics.html
- https://www.thestreet.com/investing/what-is-impact-investing-15022019
- https://financepedia.co.za/banks-with-the-highest-interest-rate-for-fixed-deposit/
- https://truthaboutmoney.co.za/your-first-million/
- https://www.sopact.com/guides/impact-investment-examples
- https://dailyinvestor.com/finance/33886/south-africa-in-deep-financial-trouble-2/
- https://fortune.com/recommends/investing/safe-investments/
- https://thegiin.org/impact-investing/need-to-know/
- https://careerplanet.co.za/the-fastest-growing-industries-in-south-africa/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-simple-ways-make-200-every-day-leo-thapa-plxhf
- https://www.fnb.co.za/share-investing/postLogin/taxFreeSharesAccount.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/100614/interested-invesing-africa-heres-how.asp
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/strategy/how-to-invest-100-to-make-1000/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/02/24/11-common-misconceptions-about-impact-investing-and-what-the-truth-really-is/
- https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/banknotes-and-coin/Banknotes-and-coins-production
- https://www.shopify.com/za/blog/side-hustle
- https://www.moneyweb.co.za/financial-advisor-views/10-reasons-to-invest-in-south-africa/
- https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/south-africa/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/apps-to-make-money
- https://www.investopedia.com/financial-advisor/esg-sri-impact-investing-explaining-difference-clients/
- https://inrate.com/blog/impact-investing-trends/
- https://fastercapital.com/content/Risks-and-challenges-associated-with-impact-investing.html
- https://www.pipiads.com/blog/earn-real-cash-with-these-4-apps-in-south-africa/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/best-safe-investments/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-return-investment-roi-141300511.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/third-world
- https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southern-africa/south-africa/things-to-do-in-south-africa
- https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/invest/cpf-investment-account.page
- https://nomadcapitalist.com/global-citizen/safest-countries-in-africa/
- https://www.statista.com/forecasts/826547/most-popular-categories-for-online-purchases-in-south-africa
- https://www.moneyweb.co.za/qa/advisor-questions/what-can-i-invest-r500k-in-to-get-r5k-a-month-and-still-keep-my-investment-as-is/
- https://brokstock.co.za/blog/investing/best-investment-in-south-africa/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-make-money
- https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/may-24-2023-united-states-provides-additional-524-million-humanitarian-crisis-horn-africa
- https://www.volunteerforever.com/program/african-impact-2/
- https://www.tymebank.co.za/money-skills/money-tips/10-side-hustle-ideas-to-make-extra-cash/
- https://www.ikhokha.com/blog/starting-a-business-these-products-are-in-high-demand-in-south-africa
- https://mailchimp.com/resources/make-money-from-home/
- https://www.southafrica-newyork.net/why-invest-in-south-africa/
- https://www.fool.com/investing/how-to-invest/how-to-invest-100-dollars/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-easy-work-home-jobs-get-paid-every-week-1000-per-leo-thapa-jrncf
- https://www.africanbank.co.za/en/home/blog-landing/the-best-investment-rate-in-south-africa/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/active-trading/090115/top-5-impact-investing-firms.asp
- https://lyonswealth.com/blog-details/how-to-invest-1-million-dollars
- https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/6242051?hl=en
- https://aainform.co.za/money/how-much-do-i-need-to-retire/
- https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/africas-economic-growth-outpace-global-forecast-2023-2024-african-development-bank-biannual-report-58293
- https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/south-africa-average-salary
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/safe-investments
- https://www.heritage.org/index/country/southafrica
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/side-gigs/how-to-make-1000-fast/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/investments-for-beginners
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/impact-investing
- https://businesstech.co.za/news/wealth/702805/how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-be-in-the-richest-1-in-south-africa/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/best-10-african-countries-invest-real-estate-jake-findi
- https://medium.com/@kotochijames97/12-investments-that-pay-monthly-income-in-south-africa-9fe09582298d
- https://www.fivewest.co.za/best-way-to-send-money-from-usa-to-south-africa
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/low-risk-investments/
- https://africatradenews.com/en/the-5-most-profitable-business-ideas-in-africa/
- https://zacjohnson.com/is-cash-giraffe-legit/
- https://lyonswealth.com/blog-details/10-percent-return-on-investment
- https://www.fpmarkets.com/education/trading-guides/five-types-of-investments-for-beginners/
- https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/tax-free-investments/
- https://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/national%20budget/2021/sars/Budget%202021%20Tax%20Guide.pdf
- https://cer.org.za/news/new-data-reveals-extent-of-south-african-investors-fossil-fuel-holdings
- https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-09-02/chinese-in-africa-a-complex-relationship-fraught-with-tension.html
- https://www.standardbank.co.za/southafrica/personal/learn/investment-online-stock-trading-for-beginners
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/safe-investments-low-risk-options
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-investments-for-beginners/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/side-gigs/apps-that-pay-you/