Old Mutual opens doors for Namibians to invest globally

Old mutual has launched a locally managed global equity fund, giving Namibians affordable access to international markets and investment opportunities.

Its Worldwide Equity Fund will allow Namibians to invest in international companies such as Apple for as little as N$100.

The fund, which was launched yesterday, gives Namibians access to the world’s leading companies across developed and emerging markets.

Rex Mutelo, the head of business development at Old Mutual Investment Group, said the new product will allow people from all classes of society to invest and grow their money.

“It allows a teacher at Rundu to invest alongside a banker in Frankfurt. It allows a nurse in Windhoek to co-own a share in a healthcare company listed in Switzerland. And it allows all of us, as Namibians, to move from watching global markets to participating in them,” he said.

Mutelo said Old Mutual’s aim is simple: to enable long-term capital growth for investors who want to future-proof their portfolios.

The fund is available to both individuals and corporations.

“The fund is available to retail investors through our local distribution platforms, while institutional clients can still access our tailored segregated mandates for bespoke offshore exposure, suited to their specific mandates and risk appetite,” Mutelo said.

He said as economies are revolving, companies that lead in innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, healthcare, and technology are no longer limited to Wall Street or Silicon Valley.

“They are scattered across continents, and are now accessible through a single, well-managed fund,” he said.

Old Mutual Investment group managing director Lionel Kannemeyer said the the fund will be managed in Namibia.

“The Worldwide Equity Fund is managed right here at home, by a team of Namibian portfolio managers who hold chartered financial analyst charters and have over 40 years of combined investment experience. They bring global insight with local nuance,” he said.

Kannemeyer said Old Mutual currently manages over N$60 billion in assets.

Old Mutual Investment Group also oversees a United States dollar money market fund domiciled in Mauritius, and with over US$400 million in assets under management, the fund is backed by multinational organisations from across the globe, who have placed their trust in Omignam as a Namibian asset manager.

Last year, FNB Namibia announced the dual listing of the FirstRand Bank limited exchange traded note programme on the Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX).

The 10 listed instruments provide ordinary Namibians with the ability to invest in international companies like Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft for as little as N$10.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.