VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) belongs to the Emerging Markets 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 106 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | AFK vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | AFK vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | AFK vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | AFK vs IEMG | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | AFK vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to AFK
AFK has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 37. There are 90 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | AFK vs EMEQ | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | AFK vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | AFK vs EVLU | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 90 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | AFK vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 87 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | AFK vs FTHF |
Top Performing AFK Alternatives (YTD)
AFK is at -2.32% YTD. There are 112 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 53.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 53.76% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | AFK vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.68% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | AFK vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.48% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | AFK vs STXE | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 30.73% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | AFK vs EMSF | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.70% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | AFK vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to AFK
AFK has 27.08% 1-year volatility. There are 107 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.64% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | AFK vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | AFK vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | AFK vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | AFK vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | AFK vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to AFK
AFK has a 1-year max drawdown of -19.54%. There are 107 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | AFK vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | AFK vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | AFK vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | AFK vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | AFK vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $68B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 87 | 50.09% | 68.10B | Dec 2011 | AFK vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 35 | -13.61% | 22.65B | May 2006 | AFK vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities, Energy Equities | 10 | -13.99% | 3.81B | Aug 2007 | AFK vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 37 | -16.16% | 6.89B | Nov 2009 | AFK vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 35 | 4.36% | 11.80B | Apr 2012 | AFK vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 65 | 44.20% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | AFK vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 31 | -10.75% | 1.90B | Oct 2010 | AFK vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 3 | -7.38% | 1.57B | Feb 2013 | AFK vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.10% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | AFK vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.70% | 3.00B | Apr 2011 | AFK vs FLTR |
Often Compared With AFK
Investors most often compare AFK with EZA, RDIV, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 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