Popoola at WFE highlights plans to revamp technology infrastructure, attract listings, FPI

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Group Plc has highlighted various plans by the exchange group to revamp its technology infrastructure, attract listings, enhance retail investors participation and foreign capital inflows.

Popoola stated this while addressing leaders of exchanges from across the globe at the working group committee meeting of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) hosted by Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt Germany, on Thursday January 25, 2024.

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Speaking on attracting retail investors to the market, the GMD/CEO said, “We recognise the stark contrast between the investors currently engaged in the capital market and the vast potential represented by the 65 million banking accounts in Nigeria. Our vision is to bridge this divide, onboarding millions into the capital market and fostering financial inclusion on an unprecedented scale.”

Listings and foreign capital inflows have become a challenge in similar emerging markets and contributions from other CEOs of exchanges including Kenya and Egypt echoed the challenges faced by the Nigerian market. The high interest rate environment in the United States contributes to the localization of capital in the country, hence starving other riskier markets of the needed capital. “After navigating a challenging eight years with the previous administration, we now find ourselves under a more pro-market leadership. This shift positions NGX for renewed growth and resilience in the evolving economic landscape,” said Popoola.

“Recognising the importance of government advocacy historically, our strategy involves deeper intentionality to collaboration with government in enhancing listing incentives. A prime example is the prioritisation of listed companies in government procurement processes. Also, working with the regulator, we intend to review our listing rules aligning them with markets such as London to attract a more diverse array of businesses to the Exchange.”

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Popoola also spoke on the investments in technology under which he stated that the Group is exploring deepening data revenue generation and engaging market infrastructure stakeholders from the CCPs to the CSDs in meaningful API conversations to further strengthen agility.