Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How to Invest in Africa in 2025 as a UK Investor
Ruby Layram
24th Jul 2025
When you think of investing, Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind.
But maybe it should be. While the headlines often focus on tech in the U.S. or property prices in the UK, Africa is quietly becoming one of the world’s most exciting growth stories, and savvy investors are starting to take notice.
If you’re looking for long-term potential, new markets, and diversification beyond the usual suspects, here’s how you can invest in Africa in 2025 (even from the comfort of your sofa).
Also read: How to invest in Dubai
Why Would Anyone Want to Invest in Africa?
In a word: growth. Africa is home to 1.55 billion people, with that number expected to double by 2050. It’s the youngest continent on Earth, meaning a large, growing workforce, and rising demand for everything from infrastructure to mobile banking.
Here’s why investors are paying attention:
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Fast-growing economies: Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana are seeing rapid development and urbanisation.
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Technology leapfrogging: Mobile finance and digital infrastructure are helping African economies skip the “brick and mortar” stage.
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Undervalued markets: Many African stocks and sectors are still cheap compared to global peers.
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Diversification: Investing in Africa can reduce your exposure to oversaturated Western markets.
Of course, it’s not without risk. Political instability, currency fluctuations, and lower liquidity can all impact performance. But for long-term, patient investors, there’s real opportunity.
How to Invest in Africa Through ETFs
Let’s be honest: buying individual stocks in African companies can be tricky. The markets are harder to access, the research is harder to find, and the volatility can be nerve-wracking.
That’s where ETFs come in.
These handy funds let you invest in a basket of African companies across different countries and sectors—without having to do all the legwork yourself.
Here are a few African-focused ETFs to consider:
VanEck Africa Index ETF (AFK)
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Exposure to a range of African companies across multiple countries
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Holdings include financial services, telecoms, and natural resources
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Traded on the NYSE Arca (you can access it via platforms like eToro or Interactive Investor)
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA)
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Focuses on South Africa, the continent’s most developed economy
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Includes banks, mining companies and consumer firms
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Good if you want concentrated exposure to one country
SPDR S&P Middle East & Africa ETF (GAF)
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Offers broader exposure across both Africa and the Middle East
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Slightly less direct than AFK or EZA, but includes large caps across the region
Always check which countries and sectors the ETF actually holds. Some African ETFs are heavily weighted toward South Africa, so if you want more pan-African exposure, look for diversified holdings.
Where to Buy These ETFs
You don’t need a fancy broker or offshore account. In the UK, you can invest in these ETFs through:
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eToro: Easy-to-use and commission-free on many ETFs
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Interactive Investor: Great for accessing international markets
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Hargreaves Lansdown / AJ Bell: Traditional platforms with global ETF access
Make sure to check fees and minimum investment requirements before getting started.
What Kind of Investor Is This For?
Investing in Africa won’t be for everyone. It’s best suited to:
- Long-term investors (think 5+ years)
- People who want to diversify beyond Western markets
- Those comfortable with a bit of risk for potentially higher reward
- Investors who believe in emerging market growth stories
If you’re closer to retirement or want steady, low-volatility income, this probably isn’t your lane. But if you’re buildng for the long haul, it could be a smart piece of the puzzle.
If you can’t afford that much risk, I recommend looking at our list of the best gold ETFs to buy in 2025.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that investing in Africa comes with more unknowns than more developed markets. But that’s exactly why some investors see it as a smart play.
With a booming population, digital innovation, and untapped potential, Africa could become a major growth engine over the next few decades. And getting in early, through something as simple as an ETF, could pay off handsomely.
As always, do your research, spread your risk, and invest only what you can afford to leave untouched for the long haul.
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Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial adviser. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always do your own research before investing. Your capital is at risk.
Hi there is a huge opportunities to invest in Africa in gold, manganese and other minerals. We are looking for reliable investors. Do you know anyone or companies ready to invest? Please let me know as soon as possible