Rothschild & Co services in South Africa
One of the leading independent financial advisers in South Africa
Rothschild & Co has deep rooted experience in South Africa, and an extensive knowledge of Africa. With 4,200 financial services specialists in over 40 countries across the world, we provide independent advice on M&A, strategy and financing, large institutions, families, individuals, corporate and governments, worldwide.
Having been at the centre of the world's financial markets for over 200 years, our expertise, intellectual capital, and global network enable us to provide a distinct perspective and achieve outstanding results for our clients.
by announced M&A deals since 2019
deals at a combined value of c.R720bn over the last 5 years
bankers based in Johannesburg
Our teams in South Africa provide expert advice to clients
Our services include M&A, Global Financing Solutions, Restructuring & Liability Management, and Global Markets Solutions. Our experienced locally based advisory bankers also hold a leading position in providing advice on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) transactions - we were the first international advisory house in South Africa to implement an empowerment transaction - and a unique track record in navigating the complex South African environment, with deep understanding of local legislation and regulation.
What we do
M&A and Strategic Advisory
We have a proven ability in executing large and complex M&A transactions in South Africa, including cross-border landmark transactions We have developed unique insights into the regulatory environment in which business operates in South Africa and are able to leverage relationships with key decision-makers to drive deals to completion.
Global Financing Solutions and Restructuring & Liability Management
We have independent debt capital and restructuring experience having advised on a number of South Africa’s largest restructurings. We have established relationships with relevant providers of capital, enabling us to develop optimal finance solutions.
Global Markets Solutions
We provide independent equity capital market advice, with access to a wide network of potential equity providers, and experience in securing strategic equity partners. We also provide Global Investor Advisory services to help clients develop and market their equity story, effectively engage with shareholders and investors, and respond to ESG challenges and opportunities.
Government and state-owned enterprises
We have a long-established track-record advising Government and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa. Our experience has allowed us to establish trusted relationships with key policy and decision makers, giving us unique insights into Government objectives, governance processes and regulatory environments.
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment
We are the leading adviser on landmark B-BBEE transactions, with an unparalleled track record in designing sustainable ownership and funding structures, and unique insights in to the B-BBEE environment and regulatory landscape. We play an active role in the development of B-BBEE policy, actively participating in dialogue between government and business, and have an ongoing dialogue the authorities.
Stakeholder Engagement
Complex transactions in South Africa require careful alignment across shareholders, government, regulators, labour and communities. We help clients build the consensus needed to complete transactions, manage regulatory and political risk, and protect reputational capital, drawing on our deep relationships across South Africa's business, government and investor communities.
Who we work with
Leading Corporates
We are the leading independent adviser to large corporates across every industry in South Africa, including unlisted and listed businesses as well as the world's largest multinationals operating here. We have deep experience advising these clients, developing trusted, long-standing relationships built on a strong understanding of their priorities and objectives.
Private equity
We are a leading independent adviser to private equity. Our approach to building long-term relationships with clients has seen us repeatedly advise many of the most notable private equity companies on major milestone transactions.
Families and entrepreneurs
Expert advice to families and individual shareholders. Our 200 years+ of continuous family control, places us in a unique position to understand the challenges faced by family and founder owned companies.
Governments
We are the trusted adviser to governments, having advised several nations through the global financial crisis in 2008, on issues ranging from restructuring national industries to economic support schemes and privatisations. Through our support of Business 4 South Africa we played a central role in the country's response to the pandemic and in developing the country's economic recovery plan.
Highlight transactions
2026
Shell
sale of Shell Downstream South Africa to ADNOC Distribution
R16.2bn / US$1bn
2026
Pepkor
merger of Flash with Shop2Shop
R21.3bn / US$1.3bn
2025
Anglo American
demerger of its majority shareholding in Valterra Platinum Limited
R192.1bn / US$10.7bn
2025
The Coca-Cola Company
41.5% stake sale of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to Coca-Cola HBC
R58.9bn / US$3.4bn
Our history in South Africa
The Rothschild family’s business interests on the African continent began in the 1880s, when Nathaniel, 1st Lord Rothschild realised the investment potential in the country’s gold and diamond mines. A visit to South Africa by his specialist agent convinced the London house that the market would best develop through partnership and amalgamation, and with Rothschild support, de Beers consolidated its position as the world leader in diamond mining.
Contact us
Martin Kingston
Executive Chairman, South Africa
Paul Bondi
Head of South Africa, Managing Director
Jessica Spira
Managing Director
More about Rothschild & Co
Rothschild & Co
With a team of 4,200 talented financial services specialists on the ground in over 40 countries, Rothschild & Co's integrated global network of trusted professionals provide in-depth market intelligence and effective long-term solutions for our clients across our four divisions:
Our history
The foundation of our business is a reputation for trust, integrity and expert advice.
Over the past 200 years we have nurtured this reputation through close collaboration, and by embracing and supporting innovation in order to remain at the forefront of our industry.
"We are like the mechanism of a watch... each part is essential..."
Salomon von Rothschild to his brother Nathan Mayer Rothschild, c.1818
