Africans with investable assets of at least 50 million dollars are increasingly directing their wealth into real estate as part of efforts to preserve capital, diversify investment portfolios and generate long-term income, according to a new wealth report.

Nairametrics reported that the report, released by Standard Bank, Africa’s largest lender by assets, shows that ultra-high-net-worth individuals across the continent are significantly increasing investments in residential, commercial and industrial properties despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

According to Chris Browne, the number of residential and commercial properties acquired by the bank’s ultra-wealthy clients in South Africa more than doubled during the 12 months ending September 2025 when compared with the previous year.

The increase in acquisitions followed a series of interest rate cuts introduced by the South African Reserve Bank beginning in 2024, which created more favourable financing conditions and improved investor confidence in the property market.

Demand for property has remained strong despite renewed concerns about inflation linked to geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Iran, which has fuelled fears that monetary authorities could return to tighter policy measures.

Browne said wealthy investors often regard periods of economic and market uncertainty as opportunities to acquire assets at attractive prices.

“Oftentimes, volatile micro and macro conditions provide them with buying opportunities that would not otherwise be available,” he said, adding that many of the bank’s wealthy clients maintain a long-term investment horizon focused on preserving and transferring wealth across generations.

South Africa remains Africa’s largest wealth hub, with more than 41,000 individuals holding liquid investable assets worth at least 1 million dollars, according to data contained in the Africa Wealth Report published by Henley & Partners.

The country continues to attract substantial property investment from high-net-worth individuals, particularly in the Western Cape province, where residential property prices have recorded significant growth.

The report revealed that the average value of residential properties purchased by wealthy South Africans increased by 38 per cent during the review period.

The Western Cape region, which includes Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Whale Coast, has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing millionaire destinations, driven by strong demand for premium residential properties.

Outside South Africa, wealthy investors in major African economies such as Kenya and Ghana are also expanding their investments in real estate.

Demand is particularly strong for Grade-A office developments, farmland and residential properties, which many investors increasingly view as effective hedges against currency depreciation and broader economic uncertainty.

According to Browne, interest rate movements have had only a limited impact on property acquisition decisions among wealthy investors in East Africa, where preserving wealth over the long term remains a major objective.

The report noted that Africa’s wealthy investors continue to distinguish themselves through their ability to navigate currency volatility, regulatory adjustments and political risks while sustaining efforts to build and protect their wealth.

Earlier reports published by Nairametrics in 2025 indicated that South Africa, with a gross domestic product estimated at about 400 billion dollars, was considering expanding the scope of taxation on wealthy individuals as part of broader efforts to improve revenue generation and address fiscal challenges.

At the time, the South African Revenue Service disclosed that it was reviewing the framework of its High Wealth Individual unit, which covers taxpayers with gross assets of at least 75 million rand, equivalent to approximately 4.3 million dollars.

The review was accompanied by indications that the threshold could be lowered in order to widen the number of wealthy individuals captured under the programme.

The debate emerged against the backdrop of growing wealth concentration across the continent and a rapid increase in the number of millionaires.

With Africa’s population projected to exceed 1.5 billion people and long-term economic forecasts pointing to an economy worth 29 trillion dollars by 2050, the continent continues to produce high-net-worth individuals at an accelerating rate.