NSE, Fintech Nigeria partner on innovation growth formulation

The prospects for a strategic collaboration that will deepen the penetration of technology firms in the Nigerian capital market, has received a boost with the recent engagement between the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Fintech Nigeria Association.
Chairman of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, Segun Aina, said that the FintechNGR, since its inception, had been focusing on driving emerging technology and supporting innovation in Nigeria, through multi-sectorial approach. 
This, he said, was aimed at co-ordinating the growth of the ecosystem and influencing policy and regulations towards positioning Nigerian Fintech as the African  Fintech/innovation hub that leads the creation and deployment of indigenous solutions in solving indigenous challenges in the continent.
According to Aina,  Fintech Nigeria had been engaging other regulators, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Insurance Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, amongst others.
The Fintech Nigeria boss revealed that that the association had a strong membership base covering financial institutions, technology companies, payment vendors, system operators, investors, technology hubs including: Fintech Associates Ltd, Ecobank, Proshare, Accion Microfinance Bank, Lagos Business School, Banwo & Ighodalo, CcHub, Deloitte, Mastercard, Suntrust Bank, Stanbic IBTC, PwC and  others as founding members
“The Exchange needs to key into the opportunities of leading the next industrial revolution, which is anchored on applicable, accessible and affordable indigenous innovation and technology,” Aina said.
Also speaking at the event, a member of the Governing Council of Fintech Nigeria, Tunji Eleso, said, “ Fintech Association was particularly passionate about seeing the Fintech ecosystem achieve its maximum benefits by a head-on regulation and policy that encourages innovation as its stimulates value-based engagement within the ecosystem.”
The Acting Divisional Head, Capital Markets, Tony Ibeziako, welcomed the engagement with the FINTECHNGR, believing it was a mutual relationship, where Fintech companies could take their business objectives to the next level utilising the Exchange. 
He was of the view that the partnership wouldi showcase the opportunities in the Fintech ecosystem, considering the digitisation process that was driving the current fourth industrial revolution.
Ibeziako encouraged the FINTECHNGR to leverage the Nigerian Stock Exchange initiatives, which would assist in driving corporate governance, visibility for the Fintech companies and boost the entire ecosystem. 
“The session is strategic for the NSE, as it gives the Exchange the opportunity to position itself as the active players in innovation, serving as a springboard for budding Fintechs/SMEs to access funding, attain corporate governance and visibility, as well as getting listed on the Exchange”