Capital markets integration key to sustainable development - ECOWAS stakeholders 

Member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been urged to collaborate in the harmonisation of capital markets for sustainable economic growth and development.

The Minister of Trade and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire , Souleymane Diarrassouba, said capital markets integration was a catalyst for economic cooperation, financial inclusion and creation of more opportunities for businesses and individuals for sustainable development.

“By harmonizing regulatory frameworks and facilitating cross-border capital flows, we can unlock vast opportunities for infrastructure development, job creation and regional competitiveness,” he said.

He was speaking in a speech read on his behalf during a meeting between the Department of Private Sector of ECOWAS and the West African Securities Regulators Association (WASRA) in the Ivorian capital , Abidjan 

The meeting was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements by ECOWAS in furtherance of the implementation of the ECOWAS Commission’s integration initiative.

The Minister urged stakeholders and institutions to leverage on the opportunities available under ECOWAS trade protocols to collaborate for more economic growth and shared prosperity for all member states.

For his part, the Acting Director of Private Sector of ECOWAS, Dr Tony Luka Elumelu, said a harmonious capital markets regulatory framework would help promote the ECOWAS economic integration process and further spur economic growth in member states.