Dar es Salaam. Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu has called for deeper integration of African capital markets, saying stronger, more connected financial markets are essential to mobilising long-term investment, financing infrastructure and accelerating the continent’s economic transformation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 13th Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) Forum 2026 held in Dar es Salaam on Thursday July 2, 2026, Mr Mchechu said Africa possesses the institutions, talent and resources needed to build globally competitive capital markets, but must strengthen collaboration and market integration to unlock their full potential.
He noted that the two-day forum, which brought together more than 150 participants from 18 securities markets across Africa and beyond, had provided an important platform for exchanging ideas, strengthening partnerships and identifying practical solutions for the future of African capital markets.
The quality of discussions held during this Forum has reaffirmed that vibrant capital markets are indispensable to sustainable economic transformation.
They mobilise long-term capital, finance infrastructure and industrial development, strengthen corporate governance and create opportunities for citizens to participate in wealth creation, according to him.
He observed that the Forum's theme, "Driving Capital Market Growth in Africa through Innovation, Integration and Inclusive Participation," reflected the priorities needed to position African markets for future growth.
According to Mr Mchechu, presentations on digital transformation, sustainable finance, cross-border market integration, SME financing, Sukuk, financial inclusion and product innovation demonstrated that Africa has the capacity to develop resilient and globally competitive financial markets.
He said Africa continues to face an infrastructure financing gap exceeding $100 billion annually, making deep and efficient capital markets an economic necessity rather than a choice.
"Public resources and commercial bank financing alone cannot bridge this gap. Stronger capital markets are critical if Africa is to finance industrialisation, climate resilience, energy transition, digital transformation and regional integration," he said.
Mr Mchechu noted that, as Treasury Registrar, he oversees Government investments in 308 public entities and companies in which the Government holds minority interests, with assets valued at Sh92 trillion.
He said the Office of the Treasury Registrar remains committed to promoting sound corporate governance, financial discipline, operational excellence and sustainable value creation across public investments.
"Capital markets provide governments and State-Owned Enterprises with an effective platform for mobilising long-term financing while strengthening transparency, accountability, operational efficiency and investor confidence," he said.
He added that Tanzania continues to implement reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, enhancing market transparency, encouraging financial innovation and expanding private sector participation.
Mchechu further observed that achieving the aspirations of the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 will require substantial long-term investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, housing, education and the digital economy, making capital markets an essential pillar of national development.
The Treasury Registrar also congratulated the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) on its 30th anniversary, describing the milestone as evidence of the country's growing and increasingly sophisticated capital market.
He noted that over the past three decades, the Exchange has expanded its product offerings to include listed equities, government securities, corporate bonds, sustainable bonds, infrastructure bonds, Sukuk and Exchange Traded Funds, reflecting growing investor confidence.
He also commended the Exchange's progress in promoting financial inclusion through digital innovation, noting that more than 869,000 investors now participate in the market, including over 265,000 using digital investment platforms.
Mchechu encouraged African securities exchanges to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, regulatory technology and advanced data analytics to improve market efficiency, strengthen investor protection and expand financial inclusion.
He further called for greater cooperation among African capital markets through harmonised regulatory frameworks and interoperable market infrastructure to increase liquidity, reduce financing costs and broaden investment opportunities across the continent.
"No African capital market can realise its full potential in isolation. We must move beyond fragmented national markets towards a truly connected African capital market ecosystem where capital, information, investment products and investors move efficiently across borders," he said.
He urged African countries to mobilise domestic savings and channel them into productive investments capable of creating jobs, supporting industrialisation and improving livelihoods.
"As we leave this Forum, let us move beyond discussion and translate these ideas into action. The future of African capital markets will be determined by the policies we implement, the partnerships we build, the innovations we embrace and the confidence we inspire among investors," Mchechu said.
He concluded by thanking the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, the Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), development partners, sponsors and delegates for making the Forum a success before officially declaring the 13th Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) Forum 2026 closed.
