Organization of the Regional Financial Market(WAEMU)

Understanding the structure and functioning of the WAEMU regional financial market

History of the regional financial market

In the early 1990s, the increasing liberalization of West African Monetary Union economies required an adaptation of economic regulation mechanisms, particularly through the use of indirect monetary management tools and savings mobilization.

Key historical milestones

  • 1991 : Start of discussions for the establishment of a single financial market
  • 1993 : Decision by the WAEMU Council of Ministers
  • 1996 : Creation of the BRVM and the DC/BR
  • 1998 : Start of effective operations
  • 2016 : Integration into the MSCI Frontier Markets Index
  • 2022 : Interconnection with other African stock exchanges

The regional financial market is a dynamic, regulated market whose objective is to be a powerful driver of economic development through its contribution to public and private investment financing.

Organization of the Regional Financial Market(WAEMU)

The market's organizational choices have prioritized:

  • Simplicity of organization
  • Operational security
  • System scalability
  • Control by WAEMU States

Public sector

Market control and regulation

Private sector

Market operators and participants

Market participants

Institutional participants

AMF-UMOA

Financial market regulatory authority

BRVM

Regional Securities Exchange

DC/BR

Central Securities Depository / Settlement Bank

Commercial participants

SGI

Management and Brokerage Firms(SGI)

SGP

Asset Management Companies(SGP)

OPCVM

Collective Investment Schemes

CIB

Brokerage Investment Advisors(CIB)

Trading session schedule

Session phases

  1. 9:00–9:45— Pre-opening
  2. 9:45 — Opening fixing
  3. 9:45–14:00 — Continuous trading
  4. 14:00–14:30 — Pre-closing
  5. 14:30 — Closing fixing
  6. 14:30–15:00 — Trading at last price
  7. 15:00–15:15 — Market surveillance
  8. 15:15- Market close

Important

BRVM switched to continuous trading on September 16, 2013 to improve market liquidity.