World class: South African REITs outperform global peers with 46.2% year-to-date surge
South African listed property is significantly outpacing the US, UK and Australia
In a global landscape marked by economic shifts and varying recovery speeds, the South African listed property sector has not just recovered, it has surged to the front of the pack. According to the latest Global Property Research (GPR) Market Update for November 2025, South African REITs are currently delivering some of the strongest total returns in the global real estate universe, significantly outpacing major developed markets including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Data released by GPR reveals that the South African listed property sector delivered a remarkable 9.7% total return in November 2025 alone, pushing its year-to-date (YTD) growth to an imposing 46.2%.
To place this in a global context, the Global REIT Index is up 12.0% YTD. While respectable, it trails the South African performance by a wide margin. The United States REIT market sits at 9.2% YTD, the United Kingdom at 10.3% and Australia at 22.9%. Even Japan, a strong performer in the Asian region, trails South Africa with a 27.4% YTD return.
A structural shift, not a short-term spike
While the short-term numbers are headline-grabbing, the underlying data suggests this is a structural re-rating of the sector rather than a momentary spike. The GPR data shows South Africa delivering a 44.7% return over a one-year period, confirming a sustained upward cycle.
Most telling, however, are the long-term horizons. On a three-year and five-year annualised basis, South African REITs have returned 20.6% and 23.6% respectively. In contrast, the global average over five years stands at just 7.3%, with the UK at -0.3% and Europe at 1.9%.
“The numbers we are seeing now are the dividends of discipline,” remarks Joanne Solomon, CEO of the SA REIT Association. “This performance reflects five years of rigorous execution by management teams across the sector. When faced with the headwinds of the pandemic and economic uncertainty, our sector didn’t just wait for the tide to turn. Management teams actively strengthened balance sheets, stabilised earnings and ruthlessly simplified portfolios to focus on core assets. What we are seeing now is the market pricing in that operational excellence.”
High returns without excess risk
A critical insight from the GPR report is the relationship between return and volatility. In investment terms, high returns are often accompanied by high volatility (risk). However, South Africa’s volatility rating over the last 36 months stands at 0.20, a figure entirely consistent with global norms.
For comparison, the volatility for the European composite is 0.18 and France specifically is 0.20.
“Investors are currently getting alpha returns with beta volatility, which means excellent growth coupled with average risk,” Solomon explains. “We are producing some of the highest returns in the global REIT universe, yet our risk metrics are in line with developed markets such as France and Belgium. It signals a mature, resilient market that is being driven by fundamentals rather than speculation.”
The macro tailwind
The sector’s resurgence coincides with a rapidly improving macroeconomic narrative for South Africa. With the country recently removed from the FATF grey list, a credit outlook upgrade from S&P and the momentum of a successful G20 despite a United States boycott, the conditions are aligning for increased capital flows.
South Africa’s invitation to join the Global Real Estate Alliance in 2025, a body representing 28 countries, has further cemented the sector’s relevance on the international stage.
The road ahead: From resilience to traction
As the sector pivots from a narrative of recovery to one of growth, the industry’s focus turns to the future.
The SA REIT Association will be unpacking these global trends and the future trajectory of the sector at its highly anticipated biannual conference on 12 February 2026 in Johannesburg.
The conference will feature Peter Verwer, a founding member of the Global Real Estate Alliance and a heavyweight in international property policy. His keynote presence underscores the increasing integration of South Africa’s commercial property sector into the global fold.
Demand for the event has been unprecedented, mirroring the sector’s performance.
“The theme for 2024 was resilience, but for 2026, the theme is clear traction,” notes Solomon. “The interest in our upcoming conference proves that the investment community is paying attention.”
Registration alert: Registration for the SA REIT Conference, proudly sponsored by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking’s Property Finance division, closes strictly on 12 December 2025. Due to high demand, fewer than 10 seats remain before the waiting list opens.
For registration and details, please visit the SA REIT Association website.
Investment note: What “alpha returns with beta volatility” means
In the investment world, the standard rule is that higher returns require higher risk. The current performance of SA REITs is notable because it breaks this rule.
Alpha (returns): Refers to an investment’s ability to “beat the market” or outperform benchmarks. SA REITs are currently generating significant alpha with a 46.2% return.
Beta (volatility): Refers to how much an asset’s price fluctuates compared to the overall market. High beta means a wild, risky ride while low beta means stability.
When we say SA REITs offer “alpha returns with beta volatility,” it means the sector is currently offering the “holy grail” of investing: Aggressive, high-growth (46.2%) while carrying the same average risk stability (0.20 volatility) found in slow-moving developed markets such as France or Belgium.
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
The SA REIT Association’s monthly Chart Book is compiled and analysed by Ian Anderson, Head of Listed Property and Portfolio Manager at Merchant West Investments, who provides ongoing insight into the performance and trends shaping South Africa’s real estate investment trust sector.
The SA REIT Association Chart Books are available for download here.
The SA REIT Association’s biennial conference, proudly sponsored by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking’s Property Finance division, takes place on 12 February 2026 in Johannesburg. Register here.





