Everest Wealth has launched a R20 billion capital markets programme on the Cape Town Stock Exchange, marking its entry into South Africa’s growing private credit market. The move reflects a broader shift by investors toward structured, income-focused investments as volatility continues to impact traditional equity markets.
Everest Wealth has officially launched a R20 billion Domestic Medium-Term Note (DMTN) Programme on the Cape Town Stock Exchange, marking its transition from a traditional wealth advisory business into a capital markets funding platform.
The move comes at a time when both global and local markets are shifting away from equity-only strategies toward structured credit and diversified income solutions. As volatility continues to impact equity markets and bank lending becomes more selective, alternative credit structures are increasingly being used to fund growth and generate stable returns.
Speaking at the launch, Everest founder Thys Van Zyl said the programme reflects a broader evolution in how investors approach risk and portfolio construction.
Markets globally are moving toward disciplined income strategies and structured credit investments where capital preservation and yield stability are becoming as important as return generation, he said.
This trend is supported by global data showing private credit markets expanding rapidly over the past decade, with assets under management growing significantly as investors seek diversification and predictable income streams.
South Africa, which has one of the most developed debt capital markets among emerging economies, is now following this global trajectory.
The Everest Wealth Cape Town Stock Exchange programme positions the group not only as an investment manager, but as a provider of capital infrastructure designed to support structured credit opportunities.
Building scalable platform
CEO Jarryd Gillmer said the focus is not on creating a single product, but on building a scalable platform.
The aim is to develop capital infrastructure that enables responsible credit expansion while delivering diversified, yield-focused investment opportunities, he said.
At the centre of this strategy is Everest Credit Partners, a dedicated private credit vehicle that will implement the programme through a phased issuance approach aligned with investor demand, qualifying opportunities and broader market conditions.
The timing of the programme is significant. South Africa’s bond market remains the largest in Africa, with activity estimated at over R6 trillion, while traditional sources of funding are becoming more constrained. This creates a growing role for private credit as a funding mechanism.
Structured credit sits between traditional bank lending and equity markets, offering investors enhanced yield potential, structured risk protection and long-term income characteristics. Everest views this asset class as a core component of modern portfolios rather than a niche allocation.
The Everest Wealth Cape Town Stock Exchange strategy is built on disciplined governance and institutional-grade processes. The programme includes investment committee oversight, formal due diligence, credit risk analysis and ongoing portfolio monitoring.
The firm is also implementing a build-operate-transfer model, where external expertise is used initially and gradually integrated into the business to build long-term internal capability.
Gillmer noted that in credit markets, investor trust is established through consistency, governance and disciplined execution rather than aggressive risk-taking.
Structured credit and alternative funding solutions
The launch also reflects a broader shift in how capital markets are supporting economic growth. While the Johannesburg Stock Exchange remains a dominant force, much of the future opportunity lies in smaller and mid-sized businesses that require access to capital to scale.
Platforms such as the Cape Town Stock Exchange are increasingly positioning themselves to serve this segment, particularly through structured credit and alternative funding solutions. “There’s been a shift away from funding the real economy toward short-term trading and that needs to change,” said Eugene Booysen, CEO of the Cape Town Stock Exchange.
Globally, capital markets are evolving from trading platforms into mechanisms that fund real economic activity, enabling businesses to grow and expand through improved access to capital.
Foundation for broader strategy
Everest views the DMTN programme as the foundation of a broader strategy aimed at expanding its role in South Africa’s alternative investment ecosystem.
The group plans to grow its capabilities across structured credit platforms, alternative income investments, private markets and strategic partnerships within capital markets.
Van Zyl said the ambition is to become a recognised participant in South Africa’s private credit landscape through disciplined growth and consistent investor outcomes.
For investors, the shift is clear. There is a move away from reliance on volatile equity markets toward more stable, income-generating investment strategies, with increased access to alternative assets and outcome-driven portfolio construction.
