VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with AFK. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to AFK
AFK charges 0.78% annually. There are 175 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | 317.30B | Jul 2007 | AFK vs VEA | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.40B | Mar 2007 | AFK vs VEU | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.01B | Apr 2007 | AFK vs SPDW | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.28B | Apr 2020 | AFK vs BKIE | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 30.90B | Mar 2017 | AFK vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to AFK
AFK has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 31. There are 141 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 91 | 471.00M | Oct 2024 | AFK vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 89 | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | AFK vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 87 | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | AFK vs IFLO | |
| JPMorgan International Value ETF | 87 | 3.23B | Sep 2023 | AFK vs JIVE | |
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 86 | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | AFK vs CIL |
Top Performing AFK Alternatives (YTD)
AFK is at -4.45% YTD. There are 184 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 39.37%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 39.37% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | AFK vs IPOS | |
| KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index E... | 32.55% | 130.54M | Apr 2019 | AFK vs KEMX | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 29.79% | 184.51M | Sep 2024 | AFK vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 23.96% | 919.81M | Jun 2007 | AFK vs IDHQ | |
| Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF | 23.36% | 292.51M | Jan 2022 | AFK vs UMMA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to AFK
AFK has 27.18% 1-year volatility. There are 190 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 7.43% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | AFK vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 8.74% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | AFK vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 159.94M | Aug 2013 | AFK vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.70% | 5.14B | Oct 2011 | AFK vs EFAV | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 10.94% | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | AFK vs EFAS |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to AFK
AFK has a 1-year max drawdown of -19.54%. There are 165 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | AFK vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 48.95M | Nov 2016 | AFK vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | AFK vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 185.32M | Jun 2025 | AFK vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 523.46M | Jun 2013 | AFK vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $74B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 92 | 62.61% | 73.62B | Dec 2011 | AFK vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -14.46% | 23.05B | May 2006 | AFK vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities | 11 | -11.85% | 4.13B | Aug 2007 | AFK vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 27 | -16.15% | 7.11B | Nov 2009 | AFK vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 27 | 2.73% | 11.77B | Apr 2012 | AFK vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 82 | 54.35% | 286.70M | Aug 2024 | AFK vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 49 | 3.18% | 2.40B | Oct 2010 | AFK vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 3 | -6.86% | 1.60B | Feb 2013 | AFK vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.87% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | AFK vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.54% | 2.89B | Apr 2011 | AFK vs FLTR |
Often Compared With AFK
Investors most often compare AFK with EZA, RDIV, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 15 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare AFK with Any Fund or Stock
Compare AFK with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair AFK with funds that move differently
VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to AFK.
Explore AFK Diversifiers