Rwanda Stock Exchange says to mobilize more savings as it marks 15th anniversary
The Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) has transacted 28.011 trillion francs (20 billion U.S. dollars) since its inception more than a decade ago, official data shared Friday showed, amid a push to mobilize savings and investments.
The data was shared as the company celebrated its 15th anniversary in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, which highlighted a decade and a half of transforming Rwanda’s financial landscape.
The event drew government officials, regulators, and private sector leaders to reflect on the Rwanda Stock Exchange's evolution from its launch in 2011 to becoming one of the strategic pillars of the national economy.
“Our impact is clear: with a total transacted value of 28.011 trillion Rwandan francs - equivalent to 133 percent of our GDP, the RSE has demonstrated remarkable scale in mobilizing capital for Rwanda’s growth,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Celestin Rwabukumba said.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, Soraya Hakuziyaremye, stressed the importance of a strong capital market for financial stability.
“The Rwanda Stock Exchange is a vital partner in our mission to maintain a sound financial system. We remain committed to supporting a market that encourages long-term savings and provides a secure environment for investment, driving Rwanda toward its Vision 2050 goals,” she said.
The Acting chief executive officer of the Capital Market Authority, Karekezi Ngabonziza said over the past 15 years, their goal has been to ensure a safe and transparent market, where every Rwandan can invest with confidence.
In a statement, RSE said the goal now is to mobilize savings and investments and attract more SMEs to ensure the market becomes a true home for every Rwandan investor and entrepreneur.
In terms of capital mobilized, RSE has over the years raised 2.71 trillion francs (1.87 billion U.S. dollars) to fund infrastructure and business expansion, the statement showed.
The data showed market capitalization was 6.6 trillion francs (4.6 billion U.S. dollars), equivalent to 30 percent of gross domestic product.
RSE has over 270,000 active investors, with 95 percent being local Rwandans. It has slightly over 100 listed securities with 10 equity listings, Treasury bonds and corporate bonds.
