Capital market stakeholders have welcomed the emergence of a new securities exchange in Nigeria, describing it as a significant development that could deepen market participation and unlock fresh capital for economic growth.
The proposed exchange, Contisx Securities Exchange Plc, recently secured Approval-in-Principle (AIP) from the Securities and Exchange Commission to operate as a full-service stock market. The platform is expected to support public and private markets, as well as derivatives trading, with instruments ranging from equities and bonds to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and commercial papers.
A full launch is target- ed for September 2026. Reacting to the development, financial expert, Uche Vincent, described the new exchange as a timely addition to Nigeria’s growing capital market ecosystem.
“Congratulations. Contisx joining the market as a capital market operator is a great addition, particularly given that the Nigerian Exchange recently hit about N140 trillion in market capitalization.
The market is expanding, and as a capital market solicitor, I am encouraged to see more platforms emerging,” he said. Also speaking, a shareholder, Taiwo Godwin, noted that the initiative could reshape Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape if properly structured.
“This is actually a big deal. If vetted startups are enabled to raise funds through instruments like Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), it could create a paradigm shift in how businesses access capital in Nigeria,” he stated.
Founder of the exchange, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, said that the platform is designed to drive “investment inclusion” by mobilising idle funds into productive use. According to him, an estimated N5 trillion in cash circulates outside the banking system, much of it unutilised.
He explained that channeling even a portion of such funds into sovereign instruments like Federal Government savings bonds and Treasury Bills could generate substantial returns for citizens while providing financing for national development.
Ekekwe added that the exchange will also target diaspora participation, creating pathways for Nigerians abroad to invest in local opportunities and support economic growth.
