By Chukwuma Umeorah
Nigeria has, for the first time, hosted the African and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) Conference, with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc playing host to key financial and capital market stakeholders across the region.
The two-day event, themed “Shaping the Future: Financial Market Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies,” convened operators, regulators, policymakers, and private sector leaders to discuss the future of capital markets and the pivotal role of financial market infrastructures.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima speaking at the event reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to financial market reforms and infrastructure development, describing President Bola Tinubu as a steadfast steward of economic stability. “Our administration is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s financial market infrastructures through a deliberate blend of regulation, reform, capital market development strategies, and robust public-private collaboration,” he said, emphasizing plans to broaden market participation and expand access to finance for MSMEs and startups.
Chairman of AMEDA, Abdulla Abdin in his welcome address, , stressed the critical role of financial infrastructures in driving inclusive and innovation-led economic growth. “Financial infrastructure is not solely a technical tool; it constitutes an essential mechanism for development and a sound basis for incentivising investment, improving transparency, optimising market efficiency, and realising economic integration within the region,” he stated.
Vice Chairman of AMEDA and MD/CEO of CSCS, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, highlighted Nigeria’s ambition of growing its economy to $1 trillion, underscoring the role of robust and future-ready financial market infrastructures in achieving this goal. “At CSCS, we are proud to support this journey by investing in infrastructure that fosters investor confidence, builds systemic resilience, and partners with innovators across the financial services value chain,” he said.
Representing the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Opeyemi George, reiterated Lagos’ commitment to enabling investment and sustainable growth. “Our goal is to turn Lagos into a shining example of progress, unity, and endless opportunities for everyone who lives and works here,” he affirmed.
On his part, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, emphasized the accelerating transformation of financial markets as agents of national development and global competitiveness. He also noted the significance of the newly enacted Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, which enhances regulatory powers, strengthens investor protection, and introduces frameworks for digital assets and derivatives.
Temi Popoola, Chairman of the Board of CSCS, described the hosting of AMEDA in Nigeria as a milestone reflecting the growing influence of the Nigerian capital market within the region. “This is not just a moment of pride for CSCS but a call to deepen collaborative efforts in strengthening market infrastructure across borders,” he said.
Popoola added that the conference had set the stage for deeper conversations on cross-border investment, market infrastructure innovation, and regulatory cooperation. “Looking ahead, CSCS is calling for sustained collaboration among financial market stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East to build resilient infrastructures, foster inclusive growth, and unlock new frontiers of innovation and investment.”