The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is on the road, scouting for potential new listings from African countries, including Nigeria. This was revealed by the Director of Emerging Markets and International Markets at the LSE, Ibukun Adebayo.
The surprise move marks a deviation from the very rigorous process the LSE would normally require any African companies to go through just to get listed. Nairametrics understands that African companies typically need to make a strong case to have their stock listed on the bourse.
Why is the LSE taking a different approach? Interestingly, the LSE has chosen to do things a little differently, as some of its officials are on a roadshow across Africa, with the intention of boosting the LSE’s 115 African listings. This is part of a United Nations initiative
The LSE officials are slated to visit cities such as Nairobi in Kenya and Luanda in Angola. They LSE officials also plan to visit Abidjan, Caira, and Casablanca. A final roadshow in New York is planned to showcase the companies to African investors as part of a United Nations initiative.
“If a company has an international strategic growth plan, then the LSE is a perfect vehicle for the company to come and list.
“If the company is purely domestic and it needs to raise money in the domestic market and increase the number of investors available to it, then the LSE can help work with local partners.” -Adebayo
LSE’s Focus on Africa: Note that the London Stock Exchange has recently been paying special attention to companies in Africa. Earlier this year, 360 corporate entities were named as the companies to inspire Africa; including Eat’N’Go and Swift Network.
The report — ‘Companies to Inspire Africa 2019′ — was compiled after a painstaking survey process which saw a total of 5,000 nominated companies whittled down to 360.
LSEG compiles the report to identify most inspirational, dynamic, privately owned high-growth companies investing in the real sector of the economy and African continent that are making significant socio-economic impacts by creating substantial numbers of jobs and have the potential to be publicly listed within the next few years.
About LSE: The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London, England.
As of April 2018, the bourse had a market capitalisation of $4.59 trillion. It was founded in 1571, making it one of the oldest exchanges in the world.