Alexforbes recorded a 22% growth in assets under management and administration, reaching R733 billion by the end of the financial year ending March 31, 2026. This growth was driven by favorable market conditions and significant new business acquisition, particularly in the retail and platform asset segments.
As pension fund participants become more involved in shaping their retirement capital, Alexforbes plans to continue implementing its strategy, strengthening its leading positions in health consulting, pensions, administration, and investments.
In the annual report published on Friday, Chairman Kuseni Dlamini noted the enhanced integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into operational activities and business strategy. He emphasized the growing understanding of the need to apply ESG principles for managing risks such as climate change, which could undermine long-term savings.
As a South African-based company, Alexforbes established an Impact Infrastructure Fund. This fund is designed to respond to increased interest in infrastructure investments following the National Treasury's approval allowing South African pension funds to invest up to 45% in infrastructure. This fund combines the potential for high investment returns with contributions to economic growth and transformation.
Dlamini added that the group benefited from favorable regulatory reform and strong investment markets, but it was the strategic response to these opportunities that provided the company with a greater competitive advantage. He stated that the group's strong performance in 2026 is the result of consistently executing a strategy aimed at ensuring Alexforbes' sustainability, and also reflects an understanding of how to create value for stakeholders.
Despite current instability and unpredictability in the operating environment, given the global geopolitical and macroeconomic landscape, the coming year presents opportunities for Alexforbes to build on the positive momentum gained in recent years. The company's primary focus is on clients and clients, as well as maintaining and improving the quality and stability of services and solutions provided, and strengthening its brand as a significant investment destination.
As South Africa's largest multi-manager, Alexforbes has integrated ESG and social impact aspects into its investment practice. These efforts go beyond compliance with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) norms, aiming to promote diversity and ensure industry-wide long-term sustainability. The company noted progressive improvements in its own operations, with most asset managers in portfolios demonstrating significant progress in diversity and broad representation.
Regulatory changes, economic pressures, and the need for greater inclusivity are driving a deep transformation of the South African pension industry. The key driver is the two-tier pension system, which balances immediate financial needs with long-term savings. This system supports mandatory preservation of funds, ensuring that the majority of pension funds remain invested until retirement to improve long-term financial outcomes.
Dlamini explained that the regulatory reform, which encourages direct interaction between pension funds and their members, has opened up the opportunity for the industry to provide advisory and investment services directly to individual members who are retiring or wish to invest discretionary funds. Technological advancements facilitate this possibility, allowing companies like Alexforbes to scale communication, training, and claims processing more efficiently.
CEO Douwe de Villiers reported that Alexforbes has established a strong operational rhythm, noting the energy and focus of the teams, which provides confidence moving into the new financial year. His responsibility now is disciplined execution, which entails meeting immediate business needs while simultaneously creating long-term, sustainable value for stakeholders. A three-year group-wide initiative is also underway to establish Alexforbes Investments as a reliable and preferred investment partner for private investors in South Africa.
These ambitions are already manifesting in operational figures: there has been a steady inflow of institutional business, including platform assets, and retail inflow continues an upward trend. This serves as proof of reliability when presenting investment proposals to sophisticated audiences. The retail segment remains a key growth platform, and the company continues to develop targeted solutions to enhance advisory provision, strengthen asset retention, and expand client choice throughout their financial journey. New and improved offerings for discretionary portfolios, model solutions, and offshore investing are supported by continuous investment in digital platforms and advisor support. Furthermore, the decommissioning of outdated fund administration platforms into a unified fund administration system across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana has begun, aiming to improve customer experience, cost efficiency, and scalability in the medium term.
The development of the state, the competitiveness of the economy, and the stability of the labor market are determined by the effectiveness of the system for training personnel with modern knowledge and practical skills. Therefore, in recent years, state policy has made the development of vocational education based on international standards and directing youth to professions in demand in the labor market one of its priority areas.
In the President's Decree addressed to the Supreme Council and the people of Uzbekistan on December 26, 2025, the task was set to launch Higher Vocational Technical Colleges and the 'City of Professions' activity in seven regions of the country in 2026, and subsequently implement this experience in all regions of the republic starting from 2027. This initiative serves as a deep modernization of the vocational education system, the training of personnel that meet employer needs, and the wide implementation of international standards in the educational process.
The head of state's initiatives are also strengthened legally. In accordance with the President's Decree of July 17, 2026, 'On additional measures for introducing secondary specialized, professional, and higher education programs based on international standards in the Republic,' a new system is being implemented for the widespread dissemination of international programs in educational institutions and the training of competitive personnel that meet labor market requirements. The Higher Vocational Technical College being established in Jizzakh is a practical embodiment of these tasks, where the educational process is organized based on international Pearson and Avestos programs.
As part of these reforms, the Higher Vocational Technical College was created in Jizzakh. Preparatory work for the new academic year is actively underway at this educational institution, located in the Saiiljoy district of Jizzakh city. Reconstruction work is being carried out in the building that previously housed the 2nd Technical College of Jizzakh city. This project is being implemented by the engineering company 'Unified Contractor Services' under the Jizzakh Hokimiyat as the state customer, and its total cost amounts to 19 billion 674 million 800 thousand sums. Construction work is proceeding at the planned pace according to the schedule. The dormitory building reconstruction is fully completed and has moved to the cladding stage, and the main construction work in the academic building is also nearing completion.
The director of the Higher Vocational Technical College, Fakhriddin Azimov, stated that this college will serve as a methodological and practical center for all colleges in the region. He added that in the future, students from neighboring colleges will undergo internships here. Necessary conditions are being created for training in modern professions based on international requirements. In this regard, the most modern educational equipment is being supplied from Germany. The enrollment campaign for the current academic year has been completed, and 100 students will begin their studies in the first phase. The educational process will be organized based on international curricula in four main areas: information technology (Pearson, UK), machine and mechanism operator (Avestos, Germany), automotive mechatronics technician (Avestos, Germany), and agricultural and construction machinery mechanic (Avestos, Germany).
Diplomas issued to graduates who successfully complete these educational programs will be recognized in both the UK and Germany, creating a solid foundation for their successful employment not only in the country but also in the foreign labor market. The next stage of the project is planned to be the creation of a 'City of Professions' in Jizzakh. This complex will include interactive zones such as an information and consultation center, a technological, industrial, and engineering cluster, as well as a skills development platform. Here, schoolchildren can familiarize themselves with in-demand professions in the labor market and determine their career inclinations using modern IT platforms. Furthermore, practical classes will be held in the college workshops using real production equipment, and participation in master classes will allow for completing practical projects. Special attention is paid to individual consultations for 9th-grade graduates regarding the alignment of their chosen specialty or college with their learning goals.
The establishment of the Higher Vocational Technical College and the planning of the 'City of Professions' in Jizzakh contribute to the transition of the vocational education system to a new qualitative stage. Most importantly, this educational institution will play a key role in training competitive specialists with modern knowledge and practical skills that meet the demands of the labor market based on international standards.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) assured that it will maintain a safe and respectful working environment following the dismissal of the prosecutor general. This statement was issued after the ICC Assembly of States Parties agreed to remove Khan due to what was classified as serious misconduct and a severe violation of his duties.
The ICC noted the decision and requested that the privacy and rights of all individuals involved in the process be respected. The representatives of the ICC Member States dismissed the court's prosecutor general after nearly two years of allegations of sexual assault that came to light through international news agencies.
British citizen Karim Khan was accused of sexual assault by a court collaborator, allegations which he vehemently denies. By a large majority, the ICC Member States voted in favor of his removal, marking the first time a prosecutor general has been removed from office.
In May 2025, Khan had temporarily stepped down from his duties while awaiting the outcome of an investigation initiated the previous year, following complaints made by a collaborator. Subsequently, in June, he was suspended by the 21 members of the Assembly Board. Karim Khan, who is 56 years old, held the position since 2021.
This week, Khan's lawyers published an open letter on social media, asking Member States not to dismiss him. They argued, among other points, that the procedures allowing their client to defend himself were not respected. The lawyers also warned of the risk of sending a message that could compromise the independence of future prosecutors, referencing notorious cases handled by their client.
Khan gained notoriety in 2024 for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in the context of the war in the Gaza Strip. The ICC, based in The Hague, had also issued arrest warrants against high leaders of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas, who were later killed by Israel.
The dismissal occurs at a time when the international court is under pressure from nations such as the United States. Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, celebrated Karim Khan's departure, describing the situation as an example of an 'irremediably corrupt institution.' Pigott stated on the social network X that 'Karim Khan is a clear example of a corrupt ICC and the abuse of authority it claims to possess. It is good that he is gone, but he was just a minor cog in this irremediably corrupt institution.'
