Students urged to invest in shares as Global Money Week is launched

Students and other young people should invest in shares of companies listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange to ensure a bright future. This could also make it easy for them to finance higher education studies or start up businesses after completing their studies.

Monday, March 09, 2015
Capital Markets Authority chief executive Robert Mathu addresses students from Well Springs Academy yesterday. (Ben Gasore)

Students and other young people have been urged to develop a savings culture as well as invest in shares of firms listed on the local bourse. 

Robert Mathu, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) executive director, said the youth should take advantage of the stock market to invest in shares, while saving for their future.

Mathu was addressing Nyarutarama-based Well-Springs Academy students at the launch of the Global Money Week at the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) yesterday.

During the Global Money Week, students and youth are invited to the RSE, to learn about the capital markets activities and how it operates. They get the opportunity to ring the session’s opening or closing bell to signal the beginning or end of the day’s trade, in honour of Global Money Week, Mathu added.

He also encouraged them to form investment clubs at their school for them to raise funds and invest jointly in the capital markets.

Students from Well Springs Academy listen to Mathu, the CMA chief executive, yesterday. (Ben Gasore)

Most of the students said the event was enlightening, noting that it was a business opportunity for them to grow financially while still young. Others wondered why there are few companies listed on the bourse, saying this does not give investors a variety of options.

"This visit has shown us that there are still few shares and investors on the market. Probably with time we shall see more companies listing on the stock exchange,” said Eric Hirwa, one of the students.