Asset manager Ninety One has received conditional approval for its planned investment in Sanlam’s South African operations. The deal, subject to regulatory requirements, is positioned to strengthen capital flows into local markets while supporting broader economic development.
A key aspect of the agreement is the potential to drive enterprise and supplier development within the financial services value chain. By aligning with Sanlam’s established networks, Ninety One is expected to expand opportunities for smaller service providers, local suppliers and emerging enterprises that play a vital role in the sector.
The partnership highlights how investment deals can be structured to do more than consolidate market position. Conditional approval frameworks often encourage firms to embed transformation objectives, creating openings for inclusive procurement, skills transfer and supplier capacity building.
If fully implemented, the collaboration between Ninety One and Sanlam could set a benchmark for how large-scale investment activity supports enterprise development, linking financial growth with long-term empowerment outcomes in South Africa’s economy.


