Halal Investment Apps in South Africa: A Muslim Investor's Guide

Investment apps have made it easier than ever for South Africans to invest with small amounts and no minimum investment. EasyEquities, Franc, Sygnia, and others have brought the JSE and global markets to anyone with a smartphone. But for South African Muslim investors, the question is not just which app is the best — it is which platform supports halal investing, and how to use it correctly.

The Key Principle: The App Is the Vehicle; The Investments Are What Matter

An investment app is simply a platform through which you buy investment products. The app itself is not halal or haram — what you invest in through it determines the Shariah compliance of your portfolio. A platform that allows you to invest in Shariah-certified ETFs is perfectly usable; the same platform used to buy conventional bank shares or bond funds is not.

Your job as a South African Muslim investor is to find a platform that gives you access to Shariah-compliant investment options — and to ensure you only invest in those options through it.

Leading South African Investment Platforms and Their Halal Options

EasyEquities

EasyEquities is one of South Africa’s most popular retail investment platforms, allowing you to buy fractional JSE-listed shares and ETFs from as little as R10. For Muslim investors, EasyEquities is potentially usable — with important caveats:

• The Ashburton Islamic Equity ETF is listed on the JSE and available through EasyEquities. This is a certified Shariah-compliant ETF — a straightforward halal option
• You can also invest in individual JSE shares — but you must screen each share yourself against the Shariah criteria (business activity screen and financial ratio screen). Read our guide on are stocks halal for the screening framework
• EasyEquities also offers access to US-listed ETFs — including globally Shariah-certified ETFs on the NYSE. Access requires the EasyEquities USD account
• Avoid the conventional bond ETFs, conventional money market options, and unscreened equity funds on the platform

Sygnia

Sygnia is a major South African asset manager and platform. Most Sygnia funds are conventional and not Shariah-compliant. However, some platforms that use Sygnia’s infrastructure allow access to third-party Shariah-certified funds. Check the specific fund’s certification status before investing.

Franc

Franc is a simplified savings and investment app focused on unit trusts. It offers a limited fund range. Check whether any of the funds available on Franc carry current Shariah certification — the fund range changes. At the time of writing, Franc’s standard offerings are conventional and not Shariah-certified.

Oasis Crescent Direct

Oasis Asset Management allows direct investment in their Shariah-certified fund range, including the Oasis Crescent Equity Fund and the Oasis Crescent Balanced Progressive Fund. For South African Muslim investors seeking a fully Shariah-certified managed fund, investing directly with Oasis is one of the clearest options available.

27four

27four offers direct investment in their Islamic fund range. Their funds are Shariah-certified and available to South African retail investors directly through their platform.

International Platforms (For Offshore Halal Investing)

For South African Muslims with offshore investment capacity, platforms like Wahed Invest and others offer globally Shariah-certified investment options. Read our guide on Shariah-compliant offshore investing for the full context.

What to Check on Any Platform Before Investing

1. Is the specific fund or ETF Shariah-certified by a named supervisory board?
2. Is the certification current — not just a historical claim?
3. What is the income purification rate for the current year?
4. Does the platform allow you to invest in Shariah-compliant options without being forced into conventional holdings?

Zakah on App-Based Investments

Your investment portfolio on any app is zakatable wealth. The zakah calculation applies to the market value of your Shariah-compliant holdings at your annual zakah date, less any applicable deductions. Your fund manager or a Shariah-compliant advisor can provide the zakah factor. Read our guide on zakah on shares and investment portfolios.

Start Investing Halal Today

You do not need a large amount to start investing in a Shariah-compliant way. The Ashburton Islamic ETF on EasyEquities or a direct investment with Oasis or 27four can be started with a small monthly amount — the important thing is to start. Read our complete guide to building a halal investment portfolio in South Africa for the full framework, and book a consultation with MuslimFin for personalised guidance on the right platform and funds for your goals.