Rwanda to host first E. Africa capital markets conference

Rwanda will this month host the first international conference on capital markets in East Africa, a statement from the organisers indicates. According to the statement, about 300 global and regional experts, regulators, law firms, issuers and rating agencies will attend the meeting in Kigali due February 12-13. The event will be co-hosted by Rwanda Government, the eventInternational Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Capital Markets East Africa. The high level international conference will be held under the theme, “Capital Markets East Africa 2015: Accelerating Economic Development” and will focus on how capital markets can be used to create a foundation for long-term and inclusive economic growth by regional countries. International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which is co-hosting the event, Celestin Rwabukumba, the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) chief executive officer, said Rwanda will use the conference to share knowledge with policy-makers and capital markets experts, as well as learn how best to develop the local capital markets sector to benefit ordinary citizens. Rwabukumba said the conference will also be used to market Rwanda on the global stage, both as an investment destination for offshore investors and as a conference tourism hub. “This conference is good for the country... The over 300 delegates will spend dollars in Rwanda for at least two to three days, while some may visit our national parks and later market the country among friends when they return to their home countries,” he said. Some of the issues to be discussed at the conference include a robust infrastructure for efficient financial markets, investing in human capital for the market, and international investor perspectives on domestic issuances, according to the statement. Rwanda has been developing its capital markets since 2006, and has over the past few years looked for new ways to strengthen the sector, as well as encourage Rwandans to invest in shares and government instruments.

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Rwanda to host first E. Africa capital markets conference