NGX seeks stronger ties with Hong Kong Exchange to deepen Africa-Asia capital flows

THE Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) has called for stronger institutional cooperation with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) to deepen capital market linkages and investment flows between Africa and Asia.

NGX Group Chairman, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, made the call following a meeting with officials of HKEX in Hong Kong on Wednesday, where he highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration between the two exchange groups.

Kwairanga described HKEX as a leading global exchange group and a strategic gateway connecting international capital with Asian markets, noting that NGX Group shares a similar ambition of building globally competitive market infrastructure to support economic development, innovation and efficient capital allocation in Africa.

He said modern exchanges were increasingly evolving beyond traditional trading platforms into important drivers of economic growth, technological advancement and international capital connectivity.

According to him, exchanges now play a growing role in sustainable finance, technological innovation and the mobilisation of investment across borders.

Kwairanga proposed the establishment of a formal cooperation framework between NGX and HKEX, comprising annual executive meetings, technical working groups and knowledge-sharing programmes.

“I propose the establishment of a formal cooperation framework between NGX and HKEX, including annual executive meetings, technical working groups and knowledge-sharing programmes,” he said.

He said the proposed partnership could extend to cross-border listings, depositary receipt structures, exchange-traded funds, investor access initiatives and broader capital market integration.

The NGX chairman also expressed interest in leveraging HKEX’s experience in exchange technology, artificial intelligence, market surveillance and digital infrastructure development.

He said NGX was keen to learn from HKEX’s expertise in data commercialisation, product innovation and advanced market operations, areas he described as increasingly important to the competitiveness of modern capital markets.

On sustainable finance, Kwairanga identified green finance, climate disclosure and environmental, social and governance reporting as potential areas of cooperation.

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He also highlighted transition finance and carbon market development as opportunities for joint initiatives, particularly as global investors increasingly focus on sustainability and climate-related investments.

To strengthen institutional capacity, he proposed executive exchange programmes, technical secondments, staff training, joint research projects and market development initiatives.

According to him, such engagements would facilitate knowledge transfer, strengthen expertise and support the long-term development of both capital markets.

Kwairanga further proposed annual investment forums, joint investor conferences and issuer roadshows to showcase investment opportunities across Africa and Asia.

He said collaborative research publications could also help attract international investors by providing greater visibility into emerging opportunities in both regions.

The NGX chairman said stronger cooperation between the two exchange groups would contribute to deeper market integration, greater investor participation and sustainable economic growth across Africa and Asia.

He added that stronger institutional ties would help create new channels for capital mobilisation while positioning both markets to benefit from growing cross-border investment opportunities.