When it becomes operational, this market will provide additional funding for SMEs, which are vital to driving economic growth in the UMOA region.
The West African Monetary Union (UMOA) is set to create a bond market specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A feasibility study for this project began on October 1, 2024. The study will be conducted by the UMOA Financial Market Authority (AMF-UMOA), the regional financial market regulator, in partnership with the Spanish government.
This bond market aims to diversify funding sources for SMEs by providing access to financial resources through bond issuance. "Creating a bond market dedicated to SMEs is a credible alternative alongside bank loans to support the development ambitions of our SMEs, the backbone of our economies," said Badanam Patoki, president of AMF-UMOA.
The announcement has received mixed reactions from financial players in the region. Some, like Maxime Lokossi, a consultant in meso-finance and digital finance residing in Benin, see it as a promising opportunity for SMEs in the Union. "I hope this study leads to a dynamic bond market for UMOA SMEs. It offers significant growth potential for these businesses," he noted.
Other financial experts are more cautious about the interest this market might attract. "Any initiative to expand funding for SMEs is worth supporting. However, we need to define what constitutes an SME and what could attract them to this type of funding. Access to funding is generally easier with commercial banks. Long-term financing is already available from these banks. Fixed-rate financing would be possible if banks were willing, but that is not proven," emphasized Clive Wykes, a senior bank management consultant. He added, "In conclusion, banks might not be aggressive investors in SME bonds, especially since they can offer long-term and fixed-rate financing. However, their reluctance to do so highlights their shortcomings."
It is important to note that the UMOA regional financial market allows businesses, states, and local communities to raise funds by issuing financial securities. It currently consists of a money market where financial institutions exchange short-term liquidity with the central bank or among themselves, and a capital market for medium- and long-term financing. The capital market includes both an equity market and a bond market.
• Investors seem to keep focusing on yields, which are high for the moment• New Leadership might see...
• ECOWAS Bank funds 47.7-km stretch of strategic 700-km road project• Lagos-Calabar highway seen boo...
• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo...
• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector cou...
• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...
• Ghana signs a deal with eLearning Africa to expand digital learning access across the country.• The partnership focuses on deploying modern digital...
Ghana launches the Oncology Nurse Leadership Program (ONLEP) to train specialized oncology nurses from seven African countries. The five-year...
Ivanhoe Mines signs deal covering 100% of Kamoa-Kakula smelter’s copper output. The smelter will process up to 500,000 tonnes annually, starting at...
African gas projects drive significant contracts for Asian shipbuilders, especially for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) units. South Korean...
Kolmanskop offers a haunting blend of lost wealth, colonial history, and the unstoppable force of nature. Located just a few kilometers inland from...
Located about 40 kilometers from Cape Town’s city center, Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is one of the Cape Peninsula’s most iconic destinations. This...