Investing

Best ETFs to Buy in South Africa (2025)

By MoneyToday Team • Nov 28, 2024 • 8 min read

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have revolutionized investing in South Africa. You no longer need to be a stock market genius to build wealth. By buying a single ETF, you can own shares in the top 40 companies in SA, or the top 1,500 companies in the world.

But with over 90 ETFs listed on the JSE, which ones should you choose? We break down the best options for Local, Global, and Tech exposure.

1. Best Local ETFs (SA Exposure)

These funds invest in companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). They are great for earning dividends and supporting the local economy.

Satrix Top 40

STX40

The classic. It buys the 40 largest companies on the JSE (Naspers, Anglo American, FirstRand, etc). It's diverse and low cost.

TER (Fees): 0.10% p.a.

Satrix DIVI Plus

STXDIV

Focuses purely on companies that pay high dividends. Great if you want regular income payouts rather than just capital growth.

TER (Fees): 0.38% p.a.

2. Best Global ETFs (Offshore Exposure)

Most financial advisors recommend having at least 60-70% of your portfolio offshore to protect against Rand depreciation. You can buy these in Rands on the JSE without using your foreign allowance.

Editor's Choice

Sygnia Itrix MSCI World

SYGWD

Invests in 1,500+ companies across 23 developed countries (USA, UK, Japan, Canada, etc). It is the ultimate "sleep well at night" fund.

68% USA Exposure
Includes Apple, Microsoft

1nvest S&P 500 Info Tech

ETF5IT

Want more aggression? This fund tracks only the Technology sector of the S&P 500. It is higher risk but has delivered massive returns over the last decade driven by the AI boom.

3. Best Thematic / Tech ETF

Sygnia 4th Industrial Revolution

SYG4IR

A massive favorite among South African retail investors. It invests in companies driving future tech: Clean Energy, Space, AI, Robotics, and Cyber Security.

Note: This fund is volatile. It can drop 20% in a year and go up 40% the next. Only buy this if you have a 5+ year horizon.

Understanding Fees (TER)

In the ETF world, fees are your enemy. The Total Expense Ratio (TER) is the annual % the fund manager takes. Lower is better.

ETF Name	Ticker	TER (Yearly Fee)
Satrix 40	STX40	0.10% (Excellent)
Satrix MSCI World	STXWDM	0.35% (Good)
Sygnia 4th IR	SYG4IR	0.59% (Average)
Active Unit Trusts	-	1.50% - 2.50% (Bad)

Don't forget Dividends Tax

When your ETFs pay out dividends, SARS takes 20% immediately (Dividend Withholding Tax).

Pro Tip: Invest inside a Tax-Free Savings Account to pay zero dividend tax and zero capital gains tax.

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