Prescient Fund Services, a global full-suite fund services firm, today hosted a landmark ETF Conference in Cape Town — an industry-defining forum that brought together leading voices from across the financial ecosystem to explore the evolution, innovation, and future of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) both locally and globally.
The exclusive, full-day conference, sponsored by ETFSA, Standard Bank, S&P, Strate, and Luno, was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of ETFs in South Africa and featured keynote addresses and panel discussions with senior representatives from the JSE, FSCA, ETFSA, Dillon Eustace, Standard Bank, S&P, Strate, EasyEquities, Ninety One, Coronation, and Luno, among others. Topics covered the full ETF value chain — from regulatory frameworks and liquidity to the rise of Actively Managed ETFs (AMETFs), cross-border listings, and the digital platforms shaping the next generation of investors.
“ETFs have become one of the most transformative financial innovations of our time, offering investors efficiency, transparency, and diversification,” said Craig Mockford, CEO of Prescient Fund Services. “As South Africa marks 25 years of ETF evolution, this conference represents a landmark moment for the industry — a collaborative platform for regulators, asset managers, market participants, and service providers to shape the next chapter of ETF growth on the continent.”
Mockford added that education and innovation remain central to Prescient Fund Services’ mission.
“Our goal is to equip the industry with the knowledge, infrastructure, and partnerships required to unlock the full potential of ETFs. Whether it’s supporting issuers, improving liquidity, or connecting local managers to global markets, Prescient Fund Services is proud to help drive the next wave of ETF development.”
The conference agenda featured panel discussions on key industry developments such as:
- The 25-year journey of ETFs in South Africa.
- Building trust in South African capital markets.
- The demand and rise of Actively Managed ETFs, exploring how innovation is reshaping investor access and strategy.
- Launching in Ireland: what you need to know — offering practical insights into cross-border listings and UCITS structuring.
- Global trends and the outlook for ETFs, addressing the global growth of ETFs, including Active and Semi-Transparent ETFs, tokenised ETFs, digital platforms savings plans, and cross-border harmanisation.
“For ETFs to reach their full potential in South Africa, collaboration across the value chain is essential,” said Ben Meyer, Head of Capital Markets at Prescient Fund Services. “We’re focused on fostering a transparent, efficient ecosystem where issuers and investors alike can benefit from global best practice, innovation, and product diversity.”
“Today’s discussions showcased the depth of expertise and enthusiasm that exists within the local market,” added Kim Gibb, CEO of Prescient Management Company (the management company for Prescient Fund Services). “The ETF landscape is evolving quickly — and we are committed to helping issuers navigate that change with confidence, agility, and insight.”
Niki Giles, Head of Strategy at Prescient Fund Services, said the Prescient Fund Services ETF Conference builds on the firm’s commitment to thought leadership and market education. “Earlier this month, we launched the ETF Evolution Report — an in-depth analysis of the South African ETF market that highlights key trends, growth opportunities, and practical guidance for issuers and investors alike. The ETF Conference extends that work, bringing together the industry’s brightest minds to share insights and shape the path forward.”
Together, the ETF Evolution Report and ETF Conference reinforce Prescient Fund Service’s role as a trusted partner in driving education, innovation, and transparency within the ETF ecosystem.
“As we look ahead, the conversation around ETFs is no longer about whether they have a place in the South African market — but rather how far we can take them,” said Mockford. “Prescient Fund Services is proud to be leading that conversation and we’re very grateful to our industry partners who have joined us in these important discussions.”
Caption for Panel image from left to right:
- Kim Gibb: CEO, Prescient Management Company
- Kedibone Dikokwe: Divisional Executive of Market Integrity and Decision Science, FSCA
- Annalie De Bruyn: General Manager Issuer Regulation, JSE
- Ben Meyer: Managing Director, Prescient Capital Markets
- Hoosain Hamdulay: Senior Manager Trustee Services at Standard Bank