Capricorn Unit Trust Management Company remains the largest collective investment scheme manager in Namibia, with a significant market share. According to the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa), Capricorn held 35.9% of the N$128.4 billion collective investment schemes (CIS) market at the end of June. This position was retained from previous quarters, solidifying Capricorn's dominance in the market. The company's market share is substantial, indicating its strong presence in Namibia's investment sector.
The unit trust market in Namibia consists of investment funds that pool money from investors and invest it in various assets such as shares, bonds, and money market instruments. This market is crucial for investment and wealth management in the country. Namfisa's second quarterly report for 2026 highlights that the market remains concentrated among a few large managers. The report provides insights into the performance and structure of the CIS market, which is essential for understanding investment trends in Namibia.
The CIS market is dominated by a few key players, with three managers controlling more than half of the market. Ashburton Unit Trust Management Company was the second-largest manager, with 13.0% of total assets, followed by Old Mutual Unit Trust Management Company Namibia with 8.8%. Together, these three companies controlled 57.7% of the entire CIS market at the end of June. This concentration indicates that the market is largely influenced by these major players.
Despite the concentration at the top, the overall CIS industry continued to grow. Assets under management increased by 1.5% from the previous quarter and were 14.4% higher than a year earlier, reaching N$128.4 billion. Namfisa attributes this growth to net investor inflows, dividend and interest income generated from underlying investments, and favourable market performance during the quarter. This growth indicates a positive trend in the investment sector.
Investors in the CIS market favour safer assets, with money market instruments accounting for 53.9% of total CIS assets. Listed debt instruments followed at 22.7%. Companies were also a significant source of money flowing into collective investment schemes, with corporate investors accounting for 39.0% of total CIS funds, while individual households accounted for 23.9%. This asset allocation reflects a cautious investment approach.
A significant portion of the money in the CIS market remains invested in Namibia. Namfisa reports that 59.8% of CIS assets, equivalent to N$76.7 billion, was invested domestically. This means that more than half of the money managed by the sector was still invested in Namibian assets. Capricorn's position extends beyond the unit trust market, with its sister company, Capricorn Asset Management, holding 15.9% of the broader N$353.8 billion investment management industry at the end of June.
The investment management industry in Namibia is substantial, with Capricorn Asset Management and Old Mutual Investment Group being major players. Capricorn Asset Management was just behind Old Mutual Investment Group, which held 16.3% of the industry. Additionally, Namfisa reports that no consumer complaints were recorded against collective investment schemes during the second quarter of 2026, indicating a clean record for the sector.
Key points
- Capricorn Unit Trust Management Company controls 35.9% of Namibia's unit trust market.
- The CIS market in Namibia is concentrated among a few large managers, with three companies controlling 57.7% of the market.
- The CIS industry in Namibia continued to grow, with assets under management increasing by 1.5% from the previous quarter.
