We preserve manage and grow your wealth

We are a purpose-led organisation, with all our efforts centred on helping our clients live with confidence. We promote financial inclusion, transformation and empowerment through our broad product and financial advice offering, inclusive culture and partnership approach. We have a proven track record of delivering superior value to clients, employees, shareholders and broader society.

Our strategy

WHO WE ARE

Sanlam is the largest non-banking financial services group on the African continent, with a leading niche presence in Asia. We are market leaders in life insurance, general insurance, and investment management in our home market of South Africa and countries across Africa. With a history spanning over a century, we have a trusted brand, leading industry expertise, and high levels of client loyalty.

WE OFFER A LARGE AND DIVERSIFIED RANGE OF SOLUTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:

Life Insurance
General Insurance
Micro-Insurance
Retirement Products

Wealth Management
Investment Management
Corporate Benefits
Healthcare

Credit Solutions
Wills and Estates

WE ARE DRIVEN BY OUR PURPOSE TO EMPOWER GENERATIONS TO BE FINANCIALLY CONFIDENT, SECURE AND PROSPEROUS.

Sanlam has a 105-year history of empowering South Africans and is a trusted adviser to retail and institutional clients across the country. We are focused on protecting our clients’ wealth and peace of mind while enabling them to live with confidence. While our business is founded in South Africa, we have extended our footprint across Africa and have a leading niche presence in India.

Regardless of where we operate, our clients are the starting point for our business activities. We develop tailored, appropriate solutions and enable our clients to make sound financial choices through advice-led offerings. Omnichannel presence ensures that clients are reached and serviced through their preferred channel. We are developing our digital capabilities to serve our clients better and extract greater efficiencies from our business. We are committed to service excellence at a fair cost and upholding the highest standards across our business.

Our impact is also felt in how we support innovation, digital transformation and skills development and give rise to new supply chains that create financial prosperity. Ultimately, we are a purposeled business, focused on working across our value chain to create an enabling environment for accelerated economic recovery and sustainable, inclusive economic growth that brings meaningful social change and ensures a resilient future for all.

Our purpose-led performance in 2023

Financial
  • Delivered adjusted return on group equity value per share of 19,5%, above our hurdle rate of 15,5%, extending our track record for long-term shareholder value creation.
  • Continued strong cash generation with cash earnings growing 21% on a per share basis.
  • Declared a dividend of 400 cents per share, an increase of 11%, meeting our target of inflation-adjusted dividend growth of 2% to 4% per annum over a rolling three-year period.
Strategic
  • R6,6 billion capital deployed to enhance our long-term growth profile.
  • Made progress in becoming a true African champion through the merger of our African operations outside of South Africa (Pan-Africa) with those of Allianz SE, to create SanlamAllianz; and by strengthening our fortress position in South Africa through the conclusion of corporate transactions that add to our scale, improve our product offering and increase our distribution reach.
  • Realised the benefits of a simplified corporate structure of our Indian operations, realising revenue and cost synergies; and enhanced operations, supporting strong growth in credit, life and general insurance.
Sustainability
  • The Sanlam Foundation has invested R746 million in communities since 2011.
  • Our joint venture with MTN aYo continues to drive financial inclusion in Africa, touching the lives of over 4,5 million people.
  • Sanlam has been actively involved in various impactful initiatives, including partnering with Climate Fund Managers to establish a US$1 billion green hydrogen fund, aiming to accelerate South Africa’s decarbonisation efforts; as well as facilitating the Galapagos debt-for-climate conversion, the largest in history, by which US$1,628 billion in Ecuadorian government bonds were exchanged for a US$656 million impact loan.
  • Direct and indirect taxes that were paid or became payable in 2023/2024 amounted to R5,9 billion across our countries of operation.
  • Sanlam has been a signatory to the CDP for 16 years; earning a B rating (2022: B).
  • Launched the Sanlam ESG Barometer in March 2023 exemplifying our dedication to advancing ESG standards and transparency in sustainability reporting. This research enables investors and other stakeholders to better assess the quality of ESG integration by companies, which is becoming increasingly critical in their investment decisions.
  • Sanlam is among the first cohort of companies to publicly commit to adopting the Task Force on Nature related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) recommendations, targeting full reporting implementation by 2025.

Regardless of where we operate, our clients are the starting point for our business activities.

2023 FIGURES

There's never been a better time to partner with us

31 countries

We operate in 31 counties across Africa, Asia and the UK , and are present in eight of the top 10 largest economies in Africa.

113 748 employees

We attract the best people in the market, which creates a diverse and skilled workforce.

R1 trillion

Leading scale business, driving efficiencies and shareholder outcomes with R1.3 trillion in assets under management and administration across our business.

69 million

We touch the lives of over 69 million clients across Africa and Asia.

Inclusion

Insurance footprint in Africa. With our partner, MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, we provide access to a full range of insurance services.

Level 1

Sanlam retained its status as a level 1 B-BBEE contributor in South Africa – the highest level a company can achieve.


Sanlam's global footprint

Our business clusters

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS)

Retail mass, retail affluent and Sanlam corporate

Solutions

SLS provides financial planning and advice, insurance and investment, as well as healthcare products to retail and institutional clients in South Africa.

Differentiator

The cluster relies on its advice, distribution capabilities, digital tools, and channels to provide comprehensive solutions through an ecosystem that also rewards loyalty and encourages long-term thinking. Focusing on client-centricity and holistic solutions, and through strategic partnerships and continuous innovation, SLS is able to increase its reach and scale to meet more of its clients’ needs.

Sanlam Emerging Markets (SEM)

SanlamAllianz, Namibia and Asia

Solutions

SEM provides a wide range of products covering life and general insurance, healthcare, reinsurance, asset management and retail credit products to commercial, corporate, institutional and retail clients, including the underserved and underbanked.

Differentiator

SEM leverages its local partnerships and shared-value model to build successful businesses and contribute to community upliftment and economic development in the countries where it operates. By operating in geographies that have poor access to financial service products, SEM promotes financial inclusion. The cluster is well positioned to capture growth in Africa and Asia through its extensive footprint, diverse distribution platform and product offering, SEM gives millions of people access to a growing range of relevant financial services solutions.

Sanlam Investment Group (SIG)

SA investment management, Wealth management, international and SanFin

Solutions

SIG offers a broad range of investment management, credit and risk management expertise to retail and institutional clients in Africa and the UK.

Differentiator

SIG supports Sanlam’s purpose through its superior solutions, extensive product range and strong track record of investment performance. The cluster’s impact-investing initiatives contribute to a better future for the societies where it operates. Sanlam Investments, one of South Africa’s largest black-owned asset managers, is committed to transformation while supporting access to cost-effective financial solutions and a diversity of asset classes.

Santam

Santam is a leading South African general insurer with an international presence in selected territories.

Solutions

Santam offers a range of policies against property damage, motor accidents, loss of income, crop losses and catastrophe loss. Santam’s primary function is to displace risk so that clients’ insured losses are paid out of invested premiums.

Differentiator

Largest short-term insurer in South Africa, with a diverse product offering.

Sanlam Fintech

Sanlam Fintech drives financial services through non-intermediated digitalisation, innovation and financial inclusion utilising technology.

Solutions

SFT offers a range of digital products including life and general insurance, credit and investments and rewards offerings.

Differentiator

Leveraging digital capabilities and platforms for greater client reach is achieved through cost-efficient models, furthering financial inclusion.

Group office

Solutions

Supports the Group Chief Executive and clusters, mainly providing strategic direction and co-ordination, encouraging collaboration and identifying synergies, performance monitoring, reporting and assurance, allocating capital, and rendering centralised support services to businesses across the group.

Strategy

Our strategy is underpinned by our purpose and we have an opportunity to use it as a base for inclusive wealth creation and growth opportunities in Africa, India and beyond.

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History

Founded in 1918, Sanlam has a rich heritage. The Group has over the years evolved from a traditional insurer to a diversified financial service provider with both local and international footprints.

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Leadership

Ethical leadership is paramount and an integral part of the Board’s approach to corporate governance practices. It forms the basis for clients’ and key stakeholders’ trust in the Group.

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SUSTAINABILITY

A purpose-led sustainability strategy

We have a purpose-led sustainability strategy that aims to empower generations to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous by making ourselves accessible, promoting financial education, financial inclusion and providing superior financial advice to protect and grow wealth.

Our sustainability strategy is underpinned by the following six key pillars.

1. Financial strength, resilience and consistent performance

Maintain a robust financial position to withstand economic uncertainties and market fluctuations, ensuring the long-term security of our clients' investments and insurance coverage. We continuously enhance risk management practices to identify and address sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

2. Trust and reputation

Uphold the highest ethical standards, transparency, and integrity in all our operations. We foster trust through responsive and fair customer service, supported by effective grievance mechanisms.

3. Financial inclusion

Strive for accessible and inclusive insurance and investment products and services that cater to a broad range of customers, regardless of their income level or socio-economic status. We develop innovative and affordable financial solutions to bridge the insurance and investment gap, especially in underserved communities, while we collaborate with regulators and local organisations to ensure fair access to financial services for all.

4. Investing for good in people and planet

Adhere to responsible and sustainable investing principles, aligning with international sustainability standards and guidelines. We integrate ESG principles in our investment portfolios to promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices. We support initiatives and investments that address global challenges, such as climate change, poverty alleviation and healthcare access.

5. Partnerships for impact

Collaborate with social impact not-for-profit organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximise the positive impact of our sustainability efforts. We create strategic alliances with like-minded organisations to pool resources and expertise for larger-scale sustainability initiatives. We support and participate in multi-stakeholder initiatives that advance sustainable development goals.

6. Thought leadership

Act as a thought leader in the financial industry by sharing knowledge, research, and best practices related to sustainable investment and insurance that promote financial inclusion. We engage in public discourse and advocacy for sustainability issues that align with our core values and business objectives. We encourage innovation and research within our organisation to drive sustainability forward.


Sustainability highlights

Africa's best

Sanlam Alternatives Investment team was recognised as Africa's best Alternative Fund Investment team in 2023 by the Capital Finance International Awards.

US$840

Launch of Sanlam Uganda’s Insurance per trip microinsurance solution, at a base insurance premium of just under US$1, the personal accident benefit provides coverage of up to US$840.

R24,6 billion

R24,6 billion invested in Empowerment financing.

$1,628 billion

Facilitated the Galapagos conversion, which is the largest in history, exchanged $1,628 billion in Ecuadorian government bonds for a $656 million impact loan through our partnership with Climate Fund Managers.

Sanlam ESG Barometer

Launched the first Sanlam ESG Barometer research report in March 2023 centred around driving ESG Additionality.


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