NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
AMEDA 2025: Experts chart resilient future for African, Mideast finanancial markets

AMEDA 2025: Experts chart resilient future for African, Mideast finanancial markets

225 total views today

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

 

Experts have emphasised the need for financial institutions in Africa and Middle East to adopt proactive, technology-driven strategies to remain robust in an increasingly volatile global environment.

 

They said this during the 2025 Africa and Middle East Depositories Association Conference (AMEDA 2025) in Lagos on Friday.

 

The theme of the conference is “Resilience in Financial Markets: Preparing for Global Disruptions”.

 

The AMEDA conference is an event that brings together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of financial institutions in the region.

 

Mr Stuart Turner, Founder of Avenir Technology, said cloud infrastructure must be embraced by all financial institutions and upscaled by those already utilising it.

 

Turner noted that by leveraging cloud solutions, financial institutions could enhance their ability to withstand disruptions, improve scalability and increase flexibility.

 

He emphasised that financial institutions must prioritise robust infrastructure from their inception to ensure resilience.

 

This includes implementing strong security measures to protect against potential cyber threats and external attacks on their databases.

 

Turner also spoke on principles to uphold in dealing with digital disruptions when building financial market infrastructure.

 

He said, “Building resilience should start from the basics. Individuals should build zero-trust security models.

 

“Artificial Intelligence should be explored and information sharing is also important in building a resilient financial institution.”

 

Also, Dr Bala Bello, Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said collaboration is important in building resilience in the financial market.

 

Bello, who was represented by Mr Okey Umeano, Acting Director, Financial Markets at CBN, advised stakeholders in the market to embrace collaboration and design common goals to be achieved.

 

He said stakeholders should be open to effective communication, remain transparent and be open to sharing individual risk mechanisms.

 

Bello also spoke on how the CBN had built resilience over the years as a model for others to learn.

 

He said the CBN had calibrated its supervision to support resilience through a typical risk supervision framework, which directs resources to areas of higher risk.

 

He added that the CBN had also invested in upgrading its numerous applications and had continued to collaborate across the finance industry value chain.

 

“Regulators in the financial market also need to look into licensing and supervisory frameworks in their attempt to build resilience,” he said.

 

Mr Jim Micklethwaite, Managing Director, Financial Markets, Thomas Murray, enlightened the delegates on how stakeholders could improve transparency without being exposed to systemic risks.

 

Micklethwaite said operators in the financial market must begin to act like those in technology companies by embracing technology on an improved scale.

 

He advised operators to also invest in building cybersecurity infrastructure, which is critical to growth in the industry.

 

He emphasised the importance of financial market operators adopting cloud technology to build resilience.

 

Meanwhile, Ms Beverly Furman, Head of Operations and Change, STRATE, South Africa, advised on the orderly closing and reopening of financial markets on a daily basis to guard against disruption through power outages.

 

Mr Kyari Bukar, Chairman, Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc, enlightened the delegates on building a shock absorber framework within the financial market. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

2025 AMEDA: SEC urges financial market transformation drive in Africa, Middle-East

2025 AMEDA: SEC urges financial market transformation drive in Africa, Middle-East

255 total views today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called for joint efforts to drive transformational financial markets across Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

 

Dr Emomotimi Agama, SEC Director-General, made this call at the 2025 Africa and Middle East Depositories Association Conference (AMEDA 2025) in Lagos on Thursday.

 

 

 

The conference, hosted by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), is with the theme ‘Shaping the Future: Financial Markets and Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies’.

 

 

 

Agama, represented by Mr Bola Ajomale, Executive Commissioner, Operations at SEC, said embracing transformational finance is key to staying globally competitive.

 

 

 

He noted this would help build robust capital markets, enhance financial inclusion, and foster regional economic growth and development.

 

 

 

“As regulators and innovators, we must ensure our financial markets grow in a transformational, inclusive, and sustainable way,” he said.

 

 

 

He added that transformational finance deepens inclusion, attracts capital for infrastructure and climate growth, and builds trust across the region.

 

 

 

“The Africa and Middle East regions, though historically underrepresented, are gaining significant momentum,” he said.

 

 

 

He described the regions as emerging frontiers of innovation and growth, with collaboration essential to global financial relevance.

 

 

 

Agama urged that all market infrastructures must be digitally advanced, resilient, and ready for the future.

 

 

 

He highlighted SEC’s digital transformation journey, including real-time market surveillance systems and expanded investor data platforms.

 

 

 

According to him, these efforts aim to support innovation and enable credible alternative asset classes in the market.

 

 

 

Speaking also, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, CSCS Chief Executive Officer, encouraged delegates to drive market transformation in the region.

 

 

 

Jalo-Waziri, also AMEDA Chairman, stressed the need amid digital disruption, demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and climate change.

 

 

 

“We must redefine financial markets and their infrastructure as proactive drivers of economic realities,” he said.

 

 

 

He called for resilient markets, inclusive access, sustainable investments, and regional integration across Africa and the Middle East.

 

 

 

Jalo-Waziri urged the audience to reflect deeply on the future of financial market infrastructure.

 

 

 

“How do we create institutions and partnerships that shape future opportunities, not just meet current challenges?” he asked.

 

 

 

He said achieving Nigeria’s proposed $1 trillion economy requires a more inclusive and sophisticated capital market.

 

 

 

Jalo-Waziri, “At CSCS, we’re investing in resilient infrastructure and partnering with innovators to support this journey.

 

 

 

“How do we sustainably expand access to markets for the underserved and unbanked?

 

 

 

“How can infrastructure truly catalyse economic growth and development across our economies?

 

 

 

“How do we build integrated markets across the region to enhance capital flows and attract global investors?”

 

 

 

He stressed that these questions are vital as Nigeria aims to reach a $1 trillion economy.

 

 

 

Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, emphasised regional cooperation to build financial infrastructure.

 

 

 

He urged AMEDA members to pool resources, share best practices, and leverage regional strengths.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised CSCS for driving innovation and excellence in Nigeria’s capital market.

 

 

 

He lauded CSCS’s leadership in AMEDA and its role in shaping regional financial best practices.

 

 

 

Sanwo-Olu noted financial markets are powerful engines for economic transformation through resource mobilisation and entrepreneurship.

 

 

 

He stressed the importance of strong infrastructure — both physical and digital — for enabling economic progress.

 

 

 

The governor said Lagos is committed to infrastructure development, with the 2025 budget prioritising inclusive capital projects.

 

 

 

“Lagos is honoured to host this conference focused on finance and infrastructure as keys to growth,” he said.

 

 

 

He added that the event provides a platform to form partnerships, share knowledge, and chart a bold future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

 

 

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email