Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA), marking a significant step toward strengthening regulatory cooperation and capital market development between the two African nations.

The agreement, signed in Abuja, establishes a framework for collaboration in areas such as market supervision, investor protection, information sharing, capacity building, and the promotion of cross-border investments.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, SEC Director-General Emomotimi Agama described the partnership as a strategic move aimed at fostering greater financial integration across Africa.

He noted that enhanced cooperation among regulators would help build stronger and more resilient capital markets capable of supporting economic growth and attracting investment.

According to Agama, the MoU will facilitate the exchange of regulatory expertise, improve oversight mechanisms, and promote investor confidence in both countries.

He added that African nations must increasingly work together to unlock the continent’s economic potential through stronger financial market linkages.

The Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda’s Capital Markets Authority, Romeo Ngarambe, welcomed the agreement, describing it as an opportunity to deepen collaboration and share best practices in capital market regulation and development.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would create new opportunities for investors, issuers, and other market participants in both countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two regulators will cooperate on investor education programmes, enforcement activities, technical assistance, and the exchange of market intelligence.

The partnership is also expected to support innovation, sustainable finance initiatives, and the development of new investment products.

Industry stakeholders have described the MoU as a positive development that aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen intra-African trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Analysts believe closer collaboration among African capital market regulators will help improve market efficiency, increase investment flows, and enhance access to long-term financing for development projects.

The Nigeria-Rwanda agreement comes amid growing efforts by African financial regulators to deepen regional integration and create more interconnected capital markets capable of competing on the global stage.