The African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) is set to discuss “Global Crisis: Opportunities for African Capital Markets” within 2 weeks, at its next annual conference (www http://www.aseaabuja2009.com). The 13th ASEA conference will be hosted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE – www.nigerianstockexchange.com) from 2-5 December 2009.
This is the leading annual meeting for stakeholders in Africa’s capital markets and securities exchanges, including stock exchange managers, regulators, clearing and settlement agencies, investors, stockbrokers, banks, issuers and listed companies, and other market stakeholders and intermediaries. ASEA (www.africansea.org) has 20 member exchanges, serving 27 countries as some are regional exchanges.
African markets were hard hit from 2008 as world stock prices plummeted. However many African companies’ earnings and business prospects were not harmed, due to economic delinkage, giving rise to buying opportunities. The crisis created urgency for creative strategic implementation, including further regional integration, stockmarket liquidity, and product diversity and risk management. Other discussions cover foreign investment, public-private partnerships and technology drivers for African growth and securities markets.
Wed 2 Dec will feature internal ASEA meetings. On Thur 3 Dec, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be guest of honour. Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, will open the conference and other speakers should include ASEA President Maged Shawky, Daisy Ekineh, Acting DG of Nigeria’s Securities & Exchange Commission and Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi , Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Conference topics include:
• Attracting foreign investment,
• Role of stock exchanges in creating good governance,
• Development of pension funds as players in African markets,
• Exchange technology: acquisition costs, speed and efficiency, surveillance and risk .
• Integration through strategic relationships
• Infrastructure projects
• Stock exchange demutualization
ASEA’s aims are systematic mutual cooperation, joint programmes and exchange of information, materials and personnel between member securities exchanges. Regional financial integration will help the effective mobilization of capital to accelerate Africa-wide economic development.