Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI) is reshaping South Africa’s education landscape, with new figures showing that schools financed through its impact investment funds are outperforming national averages and expanding access for learners in underserved communities.
Through its Education Investment Impact Fund, OMAI has channelled billions of rand into the development of affordable private schools nationwide. The initiative targets areas where public schools are overcrowded or under-resourced, creating new institutions that combine modern facilities with affordable fees.
According to Old Mutual, schools supported through the fund achieved a 92.8% matric pass rate in 2022, compared to the national average of 80.1%. The bachelor pass rate reached 57.3%, well above the national figure of 38.5%.
“These results prove that sustainable private investment can deliver measurable improvements in education outcomes, while also generating returns for investors,” Old Mutual said in a statement.
The fund has financed the construction and expansion of campuses such as Future Nation Schools in Fleurhof, Johannesburg. Learners there, many of whom previously faced overcrowded classrooms, now benefit from smaller class sizes, technology-enabled teaching, and upgraded infrastructure.
Education experts note that initiatives like these not only relieve pressure on the public school system but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to employment creation, gender equality, and environmentally responsible school design.
With South Africa’s public education sector still grappling with high dropout rates and infrastructural backlogs, Old Mutual’s impact investment model is being highlighted as proof that investors can “do well by doing good” — securing returns while driving social progress.
