New securities depository, post-trade infrastructure go live
The Central Securities Depository (GH) LTD (CSD) has launched its new live depository and post-trade infrastructure to enable registered users to access the capital market digitally from the comfort of their offices and homes.
The new system, which went live on Monday, June 9, 2025, enables the buying, selling and other dealings in securities by registered users from the comfort of their offices and homes.
The historic feat represents a significant technological and operational leap for the depository which provides clearing and settlement services to the buying, selling, safe keeping (depository) and other dealings in securities.
Built to global standards, the platform adopts both SWIFT ISO15022 and ISO20022 messaging protocols for securities and cash settlement, delivering enhanced interoperability, automation and straight-through processing (STP) capabilities.
ISO 15022 sets the principles necessary to provide the different communities of users with the tools to design message types to support their specific information flows.
They consist of a set of syntax and message design rules, a dictionary of data fields and a catalogue of messages built by the industry with the above-mentioned fields and rules whereas ISO 20022 is a standardised language for financial messaging, designed to simplify global business communication, particularly in the financial services sector.
It provides a common platform for developing and exchanging messages, allowing for more efficient payment processing and settlement.
End-to-end integration
A statement issued by the CSD in Accra yesterday indicated that as part of the upgrade, the CSD had integrated with several key national and international platforms to support seamless market operations.
They include the National Identification Authority (NIA) to enable real-time investor due diligence, known as Know Your Customer (KYC) verification using the Ghana Card; the Ghana Stock Exchange Automated Trading System (ATS), for seamless trade settlement of listed securities and the Bloomberg e-Bond Trading System, meant to improve electronic bond trading, transparency and access.
The rest are the Bank of Ghana Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system to enable real-time cash settlement and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS), for automating the payment of corporate action entitlements.
The statement said the CSD Ghana had also deployed a new auction and initial public offering (auction/IPO) module that replaced the platform introduced in 2004.
“This enhanced solution supports the issuance activities of the Bank of Ghana, the government of Ghana, and is available to corporate issuers seeking to raise capital through debt or equity offerings,” the statement added.
Innovation, transparency
To support digital transformation and enhance investor access, the CSD also launched a secure investor portal, accessible via web, iOS and Android.
“The portal provides investors with real-time access to their securities holdings and transaction history”, an initiative aimed at promoting transparency and boosting investor confidence, the CSD said.
In addition, the depository is implementing the real-time payment processing interface known as the Montran Gateway to enable secure messaging between the CSD and the back-office systems of market participants.
This advancement reduces manual intervention across the transaction life cycle.
The statement said the new infrastructure was purposefully designed to be future-proof, aligning with the strategic goals of Ghana’s Capital Market Master Plan (CMMP).
“It is positioned to support cross-border trading and settlement and integrate with regional financial markets, ensuring Ghana’s capital market remains globally connected and competitive,” the statement added.
CSD Ghana said the achievement had already attracted international attention, with Thomas Murray, the global capital market infrastructure specialist, publishing regular updates on the progress of the project.
Collaborative achievement
The depository acknowledged the support and collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the BoG, the GSE, GhIPSS, the NIA, and technology partner, Montran, for the success of the transformative project.
It said market participants also contributed invaluably with their active engagement, which made the transition successful.
Commitment to Market Excellence
“As Ghana’s post-trade infrastructure provider, CSD remains committed to supporting the development of a resilient, transparent and efficient capital market that inspires trust and enables growth,” the statement added.
