Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2021 | Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) | 13 October 2021 | Virtual

Since its launch in 2017, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index has shone a crucial light on the opportunities for investment in region. As Africa looks to build back better after the Covid-19 crisis, the 5th edition of the index, compiled by OMFIF, is more important than ever. It is a vital part of policymakers’ and market participants’ toolkit in this process and a benchmark for international investors looking to commit to the region.

Recent progress in building robust financial markets in the region helped many countries withstand the economic shock, but it also revealed that there is still a lot more room for improvement. Countries’ immediate need for resources to support fiscal policies during the crisis and the rapid withdrawal of international capital emphasised the importance of building local markets with sufficient depth and liquidity to withstand external shocks.

The events of the past two years also heightened awareness of climate change, and the power of capital markets can be harnessed to achieve efforts to combat it. As a result, this year’s pillars incorporate indicators that gauge how financial markets in the region are incorporating sustainability considerations.

The index, produced by OMFIF and sponsored by Absa, records the openness and attractiveness of 23 countries across the continent to foreign investment based on six fundamental pillars:
• Market depth.
• Access to foreign exchange.
• Market transparency, tax and regulatory environment.
• Capacity of local investors.
• Macroeconomic opportunity.
• Legality and enforceability of standard financial markets master agreements.

Accompanying the index will be a complimentary digital interactive databank that allows users to visually compare and contrast the overall scores and positions on individual pillars in 2021. Access to the databank will be automatically emailed to all report downloaders.

2021 Speakers

Anthony Kirui
Director, Head of Global Markets; Absa Regional Operations and Head of Global Markets, Absa Bank Kenya

Caroline Abel
Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles

Charles Russon
Executive; Corporate and Investment Banking and Acting Group Executive, Absa Regional Operations

Jason Quinn
Chief Executive Officer, Absa

Jeff Gable
Head of Macro and Fixed Income Research, Absa

Moses D. Pelaelo
Governor, Bank of Botswana

Stefan Nalletamby
Director, Financial Sector Development Department, African Development Bank

Banji Fehintola
Senior Director and Head, Treasury and Financial Institutions, Africa Finance Corporation

2021 Partner

• ABSA