06 Nov 2019

Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) will on November 24-26 host the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) general meeting in Kasane.

The conference, which is expected to be graced by 500 key financial markets stakeholders from various fields across Africa and beyond, is expected to be officially opened by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

 Speaking at the bell ringing ceremony on November 5, BSE chief executive officer, Mr Thapelo Tsheole explained that the annual ASEA conference provided a platform for African exchanges, policy makers, global investors, issuers and intermediaries to connect and develop their knowledge.

He said BSE strives to build valuable networks.

“Hence it is privileged to have won the bid to host the conference and explore emerging trends as they relate to the capital markets, and map out actionable initiatives to drive the sustainable development of African financial markets.”

 Held under the theme: Building resilient African capital markets, Mr Tsheole said this year’s conference seeks to revive strategies to solidify the robustness of African capital markets and position African exchanges as a gateway to the development of the continent. 

He said Africa has over the years been seen to be lagging behind on issues of development, hence the theme suggestion, which would allow stock exchanges to delve deeper into what could be done to build and transform themselves.

Mr Tsheole noted that although African stock exchanges have developed at a much faster pace in the current decade than ever before, most were however, still experiencing low levels of liquidity.

Such low levels of liquidity, he said, had propelled stock exchanges to find innovative ways of attracting issuers and investors.

He also said they were forced to diversify their product base and exert their positions as drivers of economic diversification and growth.

The annual ASEA general meeting is the biggest financial markets conference in Africa and provides a perfect platform for relevant stakeholders to engage in discussions and deliberations pertinent to the development of African capital markets.

ENDS