Namibian businessman Koos Brandt gains $13 million from stake in Capricorn Group

Namibian businessman Koos Brandt’s stake in Namibia-based investment holding Capricorn Group Limited has grown significantly since the start of the year, as shares in the group continue to trade higher on the Namibian Stock Exchange.

According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, the market value of Brandt’s stake in Capricorn Group has risen by NAD217 million ($13 million) since the year began, owing to sustained buying interest on the local bourse as investors remained optimistic about the group’s financial performance in 2022.

Capricorn Group operates in Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. Bank Windhoek, the group’s flagship brand, is Namibia’s largest locally-owned bank and the country’s second-largest commercial bank.

Brandt, who stepped down as chairman of the group and Bank Windhoek in 2017, is the largest individual shareholder with an 18.52-percent stake.

As of press time on July 8, shares in the Namibian investment holding company were trading at NAD13.3 ($0.797) per share on the Namibian Stock Exchange, 2.3-percent higher than their opening price on the local bourse this morning.

In recent times, shares in the group have increased from NAD11 ($0.659) per share on Jan. 1 to NAD13.3 ($0.797) at the time of drafting this report, representing a total 21-percent gain for shareholders.

As a result of the double-digit percent uptick in the shares, the market value of Brandt’s stake has increased from NAD1.037 billion ($62.15 million) at the time of writing this report to NAD1.25 billion ($75.15 million).

This amounts to a total gain of NAD217 million ($13 million) for the Namibian businessman since the beginning of the year.

The increase in the market value of his stake cements his position as one of Namibia’s wealthiest investors, ahead of Quinton Van Rooyen, founder of Trustco Group Holdings, one of Southern Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.