The Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres (BRVM), the West African Regional Stock Exchange, will return to New York on April 21 at Nasdaq MarketSite for the latest edition of the ’BRVM Investment Days Roadshow’, bringing the region’s capital markets into sharper focus for global investors.
BRVM, a stock exchange headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is a member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), apart from being a participant in the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP). It is also the world’s first fully integrated regional stock exchange, serving the eight member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
According to BRVM, “As global capital looks beyond traditional markets, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is fast emerging as a credible destination for diversified, growth-oriented investment. BRVM Investment Days brings together policymakers, issuers and investors, offering a clear view of capital markets and portfolio opportunities across the region. The BRVM enters 2026 on the back of sustained momentum. Over the past five years, the BRVM Composite Index has nearly doubled, rising by 99.15%, with a further 25.26% gain in 2025 despite global uncertainty. Market capitalisation has reached CFA 24,781 billion (approximately $40 billion), representing 18.37% of WAEMU GDP. Returns remain above 8% on equities and around 6% on bonds. WAEMU’s economic growth, estimated at 6.7% in 2025, combined with a reduction in budget deficits, creates a favourable macroeconomic environment. This stability, coupled with a dynamic and well-regulated financial market, offers US investors a unique opportunity to gain exposure to one of Africa’s most promising regions.”
“The BRVM is no longer a frontier story — it is a market delivering consistent performance with expanding access. For investors looking beyond traditional markets, WAEMU offers a rare combination of growth, returns and increasing liquidity,” said Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BRVM.
He listed out recent developments around BRVM, including new listings like the Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce du Benin (BIIC), enhanced disclosure standards and the rollout of new instruments such as derivatives, ETFs and ESG-linked indices, that have consolidated the stock exchange’s already dominated position further. Sustainable finance is also gaining traction, with five green bond issuances raising close to CFA 170 billion.
Dr. Amenounve continued, “At the same time, the BRVM is expanding access through its participation in the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP), improving cross-border market access and broadening investor reach across African markets. BRVM Investment Days offers investors direct access to the institutions and issuers shaping the region’s markets. It is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and see where capital can be best deployed with confidence.”
BRVM Investment Days 2026 will bring together institutional investors, investment advisors, corporate advisors, bankers, policymakers and market participants from across WAEMU and the diaspora. The previous successful editions in London, Paris, New York, Dubai and Johannesburg attracted over 100 investors and financiers (in each city).
The New York chapter will host prominent events such as a panel discussion on ’WAEMU Economic Outlook — Integration, Industrialisation & Investment Opportunities,’ which will cover the West African region’s macroeconomic outlook, fiscal and monetary frameworks, and investment priorities.
Also, banking executives will discuss their approach to sourcing capital for regional issuers, apart from outlining the sectors and types of securities presenting investment opportunities, and sharing their perspectives on how local capital markets are developing and becoming increasingly attractive to international investors.
Another panel discussion, titled ’Capital Markets & Financial Innovation — Green Finance & Infrastructure Instruments’, will explore emerging asset classes and financial instruments supporting infrastructure and sustainable investment across WAEMU. Speakers will discuss opportunities for international investors, including infrastructure financing vehicles, green finance instruments, and cross-border investment structures.