Pensions Funds and Alternative Investments Africa

Pensions are already powerful investment forces in southern Africa and have started a period of fast growth in East and West Africa with some key markets growing at up to 30% a year.

Pensions in ten African countries had a total of $379 billion in assets under management, according to a 2014 study. It is conservatively estimated that pension funds in the six largest sub-Saharan African markets will grow to $622bn in assets by 2020 and to $7.3 trillion by 2050.

Africa’s pension industry is crossing the threshold into a major growth path, having an impact on economies, savings and investment. Ghana’s pension fund industry grew 400% from 2008 to 2014 and reached $2.6bn by Dec 2013.

Nigeria’s industry has tripled in last five years to some $25bn in assets by Dec 2013 and assets under management are growing at 30% annually with some 6m contributors. There is the potential to enrol far more of the population.

African pension funds are also estimated to have invested some $3.8bn – $5.7bn in private equity and have the scope to invest another $29bn.

This event will highlight key trends and future industry issues while bringing together institutional investors, private equity players and stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities on the continent.