An international conference dubbed ‘Capital Markets East Africa 2015: Accelerating Economic Development’ has started today in Kigali.

The two-day conference, organized by the Government of Rwanda and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group aims to discuss the opportunities availed by nascent capital markets in the region and their role in stimulating long-term, inclusive development.

The meet has drawn about 300 global and regional experts, regulators, law firms, issuers, and rating agencies. They will discuss topics ranging from the need for a robust infrastructure for efficient financial markets, human capital investment, the international perspective on domestic issuances and the financing of real sectors through capital markets.

Among the key speakers at the conference will include Dr. Richard Sezibera, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Amb. Claver Gatete, Andrew Wachira, the Acting CEO of the Nairobi Stock Exchange and Benno Ndulu, the Tanzanian central bank governor.