The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Jude Chiemeka, has been appointed President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA).
Chiemeka assumed the position on September 30, 2026, succeeding Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange.
His appointment places him at the head of an organisation focused on strengthening cooperation and integration among securities exchanges across Africa.
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Chiemeka also chairs the West African Capital Markets Integration Council (WACMIC), giving him experience in efforts to improve cooperation between capital markets within the region.
Chiemeka’s Priorities for African Capital Markets
According to ASEA, the association is seeking to address key challenges affecting African capital markets, including limited market liquidity, weak regional connectivity and the need for greater technology adoption.
Under Chiemeka’s leadership, the association is expected to pursue deeper integration between African exchanges, including initiatives aimed at facilitating cross-border investment, inter-exchange trading and cross-listing.
The association will also place greater emphasis on digital innovation and modern market infrastructure, with the aim of improving market efficiency and expanding access to investment opportunities, particularly for retail investors.
Other areas of focus include strengthening connections with global institutional investors, encouraging greater participation by local investors and promoting sustainable finance across member exchanges.
ASEA is also expected to support efforts to develop more consistent environmental, social and governance frameworks and encourage the growth of green bond markets across African jurisdictions.
Chiemeka Reacts to Appointment
Reacting to his appointment, Chiemeka described the opportunity to lead ASEA as a privilege, particularly at a time when greater integration and technology are becoming increasingly important to Africa’s economic development.
“It is a privilege to lead the African Securities Exchanges Association at a time when capital market integration and technology-driven innovation are paramount to unlocking Africa’s economic potential,” Chiemeka said.
He also acknowledged the work of his predecessor and outlined his intention to build on the association’s existing initiatives.
Chiemeka said ASEA would continue to advocate for stronger frameworks for cross-border investment, deeper liquidity pools and sustainable finance initiatives among its member exchanges.
His predecessor, Rwabukumba, congratulated Chiemeka and said his experience in both the Nigerian capital market and WACMIC positioned him to lead the association into its next phase.
“Leading ASEA has been an honour, and I am proud of the progress we have made in bringing African exchanges closer together,” Rwabukumba said.
He added that Chiemeka’s experience would be valuable as the association works towards further growth and cooperation among African exchanges.
What Chiemeka’s Appointment Means for Nigeria
Chiemeka brings more than three decades of experience in the capital markets, covering areas including securities trading, asset management and investment banking.
His new position could give Nigeria a stronger voice in ongoing efforts to improve cooperation among African capital markets.
For ASEA, the broader objective is to make African markets more connected and accessible by reducing barriers to cross-border investment, improving liquidity and using technology to modernise market operations.
The success of these efforts will depend on cooperation among member exchanges and the ability of individual African markets to implement initiatives that support greater integration.
Chiemeka’s tenure will therefore be closely watched as ASEA works towards building a more interconnected African capital market.
