GSE to host inaugural ICMA West Africa Conference tomorrow
THE Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), in collaboration with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), will host the inaugural ICMA West Africa Conference, bringing together capital market players, policymakers and industry experts to strengthen regional capital markets.
Scheduled for April 10, 2025, in Accra, the conference will convene regulators, financial institutions and global market leaders to discuss strategies for driving innovation, boosting investment and enhancing resilience across West Africa’s bond markets.
Bryan Pascoe, CEO of ICMA, will lead a delegation of international experts alongside West African regulators, institutional investors and industry leaders to explore actionable solutions for sustainable capital market growth.
The conference will address key areas such as market development, liquidity enhancement and regulatory improvements, with panel discussions focusing on the region’s macroeconomic outlook and the challenges and opportunities within Africa’s bond markets.
ICMA will also deliver presentations on building resilient primary and secondary bond markets and highlight the latest fintech innovations shaping global capital markets.
Africa’s economic reforms – trends and outlook
There will be a keynote presentation which will provide insights into ongoing economic reforms across Africa, highlighting growth prospects, investment opportunities, and challenges facing regional markets. Macroeconomic trends shaping policy decisions and their impact on capital market development will be examined by experts in the field.
Fireside chat: Pathways for developing local markets – The case of West Africa
Representatives from securities and exchange commissions across West Africa will engage in a discussion and share diverse perspectives on how regulatory reforms can accelerate local market development. Discussions will cover investor protection, market transparency and policy initiatives to drive capital market growth.
Strengthening bond markets – Building resilient primary and secondary markets
A key presentation will focus on strategies for developing and sustaining robust bond markets, addressing issues such as market infrastructure, pricing efficiency and risk mitigation. This session will explore how African economies can deepen their bond markets to attract both domestic and international investors.
Panel Discussion
Opportunities and challenges in Africa’s bond markets – Demand, Supply and Liquidity
The current state of Africa’s bond markets will be analysed by industry experts to identify barriers to liquidity, investor participation and market growth.
Panellists will further discuss the role of institutional investors, government policies and financial instruments in shaping a more dynamic bond market ecosystem.
Panel Discussion: Building architecture for a resilient bond market
The focus of this discussion will be on the fundamentals of settlement, clearing, regulation and best practices in bond market development. Industry experts will explore the importance of efficient clearing and settlement mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and international standards to ensure market stability and investor confidence.
Why this conference matters
As Ghana and West Africa advance towards deeper capital market integration, the ICMA West Africa Conference offers a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on improving market efficiency, strengthening investor confidence and fostering long-term financial stability.
For the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), hosting the conference highlights its commitment to driving market development, fostering innovation and promoting regional capital market integration.