Private companies fuel the world’s economies, driving innovation, employment and investment across industries and geographies. Yet against a backdrop of succession pressures, shifting tax landscapes, capital constraints and talent shortages, owners are finding it harder than ever to protect what they’ve built while realizing future growth potential. From family businesses and family offices to fast-growing startups with high growth potential, it’s a complexity that requires agility and resilience to overcome. KPMG Private Enterprise is here to help.

Working with private companies at every stage of their journey, our sector specialists support with global reach and local understanding. Whether you’re preparing for a succession event, structuring a family office, entering new markets or strengthening controls, we help you grow with confidence while safeguarding your legacy.

Our KPMG Private Enterprise advisers from member firms around Africa are dedicated to working with you and your business as the trusted adviser, to determine what is important to you and how to navigate clearly through your challenges – no matter the size or stage of your business.

Passion is what drives entrepreneurs, fast-growing companies and family businesses alike. It is also what inspires KPMG Private Enterprise’s trusted advisers to support you drive your success.”

Alan Barr

Partner; Head of Private Enterprise in South Africa

Practical solutions, actionable advice

Our guidance scales and adapts with your needs and ambition. We collaborate with you to create measurable value and right-sized solutions to help you thrive today, and tomorrow.

Family Business
Family Office and Private client
Private Enterprise Tax
Emerging Giants

Senior male barista teaching his daughter making coffee at cafe bar counter

Family Business

We offer advice that’s tailored for every generation, honouring your legacy while unlocking new opportunities. Our specialists are exclusively focused on family offices and private wealth, helping you manage complexity with clarity and confidence. We work by your side to support governance, compliance, and long-term sustainability. From structuring investments to succession planning, we deliver practical approaches tailored to your unique goals.

Explore how our experience and insights create lasting value for families and their businesses.

You and your family have worked hard to build your business, your wealth and your legacy. But how do you shape future aspirations while mitigating the risks and complexities of tomorrow?For some families, the next step in wealth management may involve establishing or evolving a family office – a dedicated structure with centralised oversight of your family’s assets, governance, and administration.

No two families are the same, and neither are their offices. Some prioritise liquidity while others seek direct investments to complement their business. Whatever your structure, there can come a time when external knowledge and support become essential, and that’s where KPMG can help.

Running a private enterprise means balancing growth, risk, and compliance—while tax implications become more complex at every stage. You need advice that looks beyond rules and regulations to the ambitions, risks and priorities behind each decision. KPMG Private Enterprise Tax professionals combine deep technical expertise, leading technology and real-world business insight to help emerging, mid‑market and large privately owned businesses:

Design integrated tax strategies that align with your business and family goals.
Navigate local and cross‑border tax, including structuring, transfer pricing, customs and indirect taxes.
Support funding and growth events, from private capital to IPOs and other transactions.
Protect what you’ve built and manage tax risk as your organization evolves.

We work alongside founders, family businesses, private equity‑backed firms and entrepreneurial leaders to provide practical, proactive tax advice that adapts as you grow—helping you make smarter decisions today and protect your success for tomorrow

You’re building a fast‑growing, ambitious business. You’ve moved beyond start‑up, but you’re not a large corporate yet. You need support that matches your growth plans – not something too basic, or too big and expensive. At KPMG, we call businesses like yours emerging giants. We work with South African founders and scale‑ups to help them:

Get the basics right – finance, tax, compliance and governance
Raise capital and prepare for investors or strategic partners
Navigate South African and cross‑border rules as they expand into Africa and beyond

Our aim is simple: practical, right‑sized advice that fits where you are today and where you want to grow tomorrow.

An employee explaining his ideas in the meeting

Family office and Private client

You and your family have worked hard to build your business, your wealth and your legacy. But how do you shape future aspirations while mitigating the risks and complexities of tomorrow? For some families, the next step in wealth management may involve establishing or evolving a family office – a dedicated structure with centralised oversight of your family’s assets, governance, and administration.

No two families are the same, and neither are their offices. Some prioritise liquidity while others seek direct investments to complement their business. Whatever your structure, there can come a time when external knowledge and support become essential, and that’s where KPMG can help.

Mature businesswoman sitting on couch in office lounge

Private Enterprise Tax

Running a private enterprise means balancing growth, risk, and compliance—while tax implications become more complex at every stage. You need advice that looks beyond rules and regulations to the ambitions, risks and priorities behind each decision. KPMG Private Enterprise Tax professionals combine deep technical expertise, leading technology and real-world business insight to help emerging, mid‑market and large privately owned businesses:

Design integrated tax strategies that align with your business and family goals.
Navigate local and cross‑border tax, including structuring, transfer pricing, customs and indirect taxes.
Support funding and growth events, from private capital to IPOs and other transactions.
Protect what you’ve built and manage tax risk as your organization evolves

We work alongside founders, family businesses, private equity‑backed firms and entrepreneurial leaders to provide practical, proactive tax advice that adapts as you grow—helping you make smarter decisions today and protect your success for tomorrow.

KPMG Global Tech Innovator Australia Finals, Sydney 14 August 2024

Emerging Giants

You’re building a fast‑growing, ambitious business. You’ve moved beyond start‑up, but you’re not a large corporate yet. You need support that matches your growth plans – not something too basic, or too big and expensive. At KPMG, we call businesses like yours emerging giants. We work with South African founders and scale‑ups to help them:

Get the basics right – finance, tax, compliance and governance
Raise capital and prepare for investors or strategic partners
Navigate South African and cross‑border rules as they expand into Africa and beyond

Our aim is simple: practical, right‑sized advice that fits where you are today and where you want to grow tomorrow.

Developed in collaboration with Agreus Group, the report features quantitative and qualitative insights into Family Office composition and compensation structures and provides much sought after benchmark data.

Strategic growth through values and purpose.

At KPMG Private Enterprise, we’re committed to discovering and supporting tech entrepreneurs who are working hard to have a positive impact on the future. Are you ready to introduce your tech innovation to the world?

The Role of Family Businesses in the Economy: A Comprehensive Series

Why KPMG: we meet you where you are

Our KPMG Private Enterprise advisers from member firms around Africa are dedicated to working with you and your business as the trusted adviser, to determine what is important to you and how to navigate clearly through your challenges – no matter the size or stage of your business.

Our local insights are backed by global resources and alliances, and tailored to your organisation. We help you access opportunity, respect your legacy, and prepare for the future. Whether it’s growth, digitisation, succession, or safeguarding your business, we’re with you at every step.