ASEA and CISI unite to promote professionalism in capital markets

The African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide an effective framework to develop a common certification programme across the 26 ASEA member exchanges.

According to a press statement by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the aim of the partnership is to promote professionalism and develop channels for capacity building and knowledge sharing to support the growth of the capital markets industry in Africa.

ASEA and CISI will work together to provide a common certification framework for ASEA members enabling practitioners to achieve internationally recognised qualifications that are relevant to their job.

Oscar Onyema, ASEA President and CEO at the Nigerian Stock Exchange said: ‘We are pleased to welcome the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment as an Associate member of ASEA. One of the focus areas of my Presidency of ASEA is human resources development across member exchanges.

“I believe that trained practitioners and trusted individuals are key to boosting professionalism, and in turn enhancing the attractiveness of Africa as an investment destination. We look forward to working with the CISI and benefitting from their international footprint and globally portable qualifications”.

Kevin Moore Chartered MCSI, Global Business Director at the CISI said; “We are delighted to have become part of the ASEA membership and to be able to offer our experience to introduce internationally recognised qualifications and certification.

“The CISI has been working internationally for 10 years and in Africa for three years. During this time we have supported the demand across the region to grow the financial services profession, to standardise the entry requirements by introducing certification and licensing and also realign professional and labour skills. We look forward to attending the ASEA Annual Conference at the end of November in Kigali and working in partnership with ASEA”.

ASEA is the premier association of 26 securities exchanges in Africa and aims to develop member exchanges, enhance the global competitiveness of member exchanges and provide a platform for networking and exchange of information.

The CISI is a not-for-profit educational organization which emerged from the London Stock Exchange almost 25 years ago. It currently employs 125 professionals and has over 700 industry volunteers to its credit. The Institute operates globally, with its headquarters in London. In the last 12 months, over 40,000 CISI qualifications have been taken in over 75 countries and over 40,000 people are individual members.