Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) has launched a Multicurrency Denominated Securities Market Segment (MDS), allowing investors to issue and trade securities in multiple currencies for the first time in the country’s capital market. The development was announced during the 28th African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) Annual Conference in Kigali which took place from November 27 to 28 which brought together leaders from securities exchanges, market regulators, brokers, investors, and other stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting African capital markets. ALSO READ: What does it take to increase Rwandans involvement in capital markets? The new segment will enable both local and foreign issuers to list bonds and other securities in a range of currencies, beyond the Rwandan franc. According to the ASEA President and RSE CEO, Pierre-Célestin Rwabukumba, the introduction of the multicurrency window signals Rwanda’s intention to position itself as a competitive and innovation-driven financial hub “People will now be able to invest in USD, Rwandans in the diaspora and foreign investors, he noted. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s credit outlook turns stable, signals investor confidence “The laws and regulations are being followed, and this is a big deal because not many markets in Africa do this; only one or two countries have such systems, for example like the Mauritius Stock Exchange (SEM),” he said. For Rwanda, the multicurrency platform is expected to attract foreign participation from investors who previously hesitated due to currency limitations, while encouraging local issuers to tap into wider pools of capital, Rwabukumba added. The launch comes as African exchanges intensify efforts to harmonise rules, strengthen connectivity, and streamline cross-border trading under the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP).
