The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, has been appointed President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), effective September 30, 2026.
Chiemeka, who also chairs the West African Capital Markets Integration Council (WACMIC), succeeds Mr. Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange.
ASEA said the appointment comes at a critical time as the association seeks to deepen integration, improve market liquidity, strengthen regional connectivity, accelerate technology adoption and promote cross-border capital flows across the continent.
With over 30 years of experience in capital markets spanning securities trading, asset management and investment banking, Chiemeka has played key roles in regional market initiatives and major transactions.
Reacting to his appointment, Chiemeka described it as a privilege to lead ASEA at a time when market integration and technology-driven innovation are 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.
“Building on the solid foundation laid by my predecessor, Mr. Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, ASEA will continue to advocate for stronger cross-border investment frameworks, deeper liquidity pools, and sustainable finance initiatives across our member exchanges,” he added.
In his outgoing address, Rwabukumba said leading ASEA had been an honour and expressed pride in the progress made in bringing African exchanges closer together.
“Leading ASEA has been an honour, and I am proud of the progress we have made in bringing African exchanges closer together. I extend my warmest congratulations to Jude Chiemeka. His extensive leadership across both the Nigerian market and WACMIC makes him exceptionally qualified to guide ASEA into its next chapter of growth,” Rwabukumba said.
Under Chiemeka’s presidency, ASEA will focus on deepening cross-border market integration by facilitating inter-exchange trading and cross-listing across African jurisdictions.
The association will also prioritise digital innovation through adoption of financial technology and modern market infrastructure to improve operational efficiency and expand retail investor access.
Other priorities include increasing capital mobility by strengthening links with global institutional investors while encouraging greater local participation, as well as promoting sustainable finance through standardisation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks and green bond listings across member exchanges.
The appointment is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s role in efforts to integrate African capital markets and create a more connected investment environment across the continent.