Best wishes to the organizers and all the African exchanges personnel attending the Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) seminar in Johannesburg from 10-12 September!

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), supported by the World Bank Group, are hosting the third BAFM seminar this week, bringing together representatives from stock exchanges, regulatory bodies, stockbroking firms and other interested parties from several African countries including Nigeria, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Topics to be covered include the future of African stock exchanges and whether they can play a meaningful role in the growth and development of the African continent. Zeona Jacobs, Director: Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE, says in a press release: “Stock exchanges play a crucial role in the development of economies by allowing companies to raise capital through an efficient and transparent platform.” Jacobs says the conference provides an opportunity for exchanges from around the continent to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.

“Exchanges are key parts of the economies in which they operate. Initiatives such as this form an integral part of the continued development of sustainable economies within the continent by enabling open conversations about how to strengthen investor confidence, address governance issues and promote financial literacy.”

The conference will also include sessions around the development of commodity markets, exchange traded funds, electronic bond markets and demutualisation.