• Saturday, November 23, 2024
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FMDQ Group records significant achievements amid challenging economic conditions

FMDQ Group records significant achievements amid challenging economic conditions

…Holds 12th AGM

The year 2023 presented numerous macroeconomic challenges, both globally and domestically.

Factors such as heightened inflation, changes in monetary policies, and exchange rate volatility created a difficult economic environment.

Despite these hurdles, FMDQ Group Plc navigated these complexities successfully, reinforcing its commitment to stakeholder value and the advancement of Nigeria’s financial markets.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, FMDQ Group held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to transact its ordinary and special business and receive relevant approvals from its shareholders.

The AGM was chaired by Jibril Aku, Group Chairman, FMDQ Group, and as part of the ordinary business, he presented the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, to shareholders, together with the Reports of the Directors and Auditors.

Aku commended the Group’s performance despite the aforementioned challenges, noting that FMDQ Group continued to execute its strategy during the year under review.

Speaking further, he highlighted that FMDQ Group, along with its subsidiaries – FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange”), FMDQ Clear Limited (“FMDQ Clear”), FMDQ Depository Limited (“FMDQ Depository”), and FMDQ Private Markets Limited (“FMDQ Private Markets”) – remained dedicated to promoting innovative solutions and delivering efficient services across the financial and capital markets value chain.

Commenting on the Group’s financial performance, the Chairman stated, “Amid the turbulence experienced by global and domestic economies in 2023, FMDQ Group recorded an impressive financial performance, with revenue rising by 49.21 percent from N22.98 billion in 2022 to N34.29 billion in 2023″.

He said “Overall market activity in the securities admission business of FMDQ Exchange’s market reported a 70.19 percent whopping increase, from 161 securities in 2022, with a total value of N1.70 trillion, to 274 securities, with a total value of N2.49 trillion in 2023”.

FMDQ Group achieved key milestones in 2023, including the successful launch of the Exchange-Traded Derivatives (ETD) market in July 2023, with two (2) pioneer products – the FGN Bond Futures and Naira-Settled Exchange-Traded FX Futures – which are traded and cleared on world-class FMDQ ETD systems, the FMDQ Q-ex Trading System and FMDQ Q-ex Clearing System, respectively. FMDQ Clear also activated its Central Counterparty (CCP) services for the ETD market launched during the year, with its three (3) pioneer General Clearing Members – Access Bank PLC, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, and Zenith Bank PLC. Additionally, Approvals-in-Principle were granted to four (4) Deposit Money Banks in the course of the year.

Read also: FMDQ Exchange admits Chapel Hill Denham Series 9 Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund on its Platform

FMDQ Depository was not left behind as it deployed its world-class Central Securities Depository system – Q-ex Depository. Additionally, the franchise expanded its footprint by lodging 182 securities, valued at N1.25 trillion, an impressive 54.24 percent increase from 118 securities lodgements valued at N967.70 billion recorded in 2022.

FMDQ Private Markets witnessed a 29 percent decrease in the number of Private Companies’ Securities noted – a total of 10 securities were noted in 2023, compared to 14 noted in the preceding year of 2022. However, the cumulative value of noted securities as of December 2023 was N780.96 billion, surpassing the N345.16 billion noted by the end of December 2022”.

Speaking on the outlook for 2024 for FMDQ Group and its subsidiaries, Bola Onadele. Koko, Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ Group stated, “Building on the successful activation of the FMDQ ETD Market in 2023, FMDQ Exchange will expand its product offerings and prioritise the activation of the Bilateral Repurchase Agreement (Repo) market with collateral management service. Beyond ensuring efficient domestic clearing and CCP services, FMDQ Clear will continue to strategically position itself for recognition and relevance as a leading CCP on the global stage. FMDQ Depository will continue to expand its services to include new products and asset classes positioning itself to deliver more technology-based value-driven solutions and efficient service delivery to its stakeholders.

“FMDQ Private Markets will continue ramping up efforts to activate its structured solutions business, with a focus on deploying Artis DealRoom, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to facilitate activities in the supply chain market. In line with its Principal Investment Framework, FMDQ Group will continue to position itself as a fully integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, by consolidating and developing its capital market businesses, and seeking investments with strategic and financial benefits, while making significant efforts to progress its capital raising agenda to further enhance the Group’s sustainability and resilience, ’’ he added.

The Group’s achievements in 2023 reflect the dedication of its Board, Management, and Staff, along with the unwavering support and collaboration of its stakeholders. As FMDQ Group embarks on the next decade, it is optimistic about its ability to harness opportunities and remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s financial markets, while maintaining its position as a critical FMI group. Guided by its dream in motion, “Born Local…Going Global”, FMDQ Group will continue to face each challenge with unwavering determination, courage, and diligence, striving to uphold the GOLD standard set for the markets it serves.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with over 18 years journalism experience writing on banking, finance and capital markets. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA).

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