Abidjan - On the joint initiative of the World Bank and the IFC (International Finance Corporation) on capital markets, the first J-CAP conference will be held on February 10 and 11 in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire.

This year, the focus will be on the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), reports an information note sent to the AIP.

For two days, governments and industry leaders from five continents will meet at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, to discuss key trends, challenges and opportunities for WAEMU capital markets. The conference will present experiences from around the world and examine the possibilities of replicating them.

In addition, it will offer new partnerships, investment and business opportunities to domestic and foreign stakeholders; and share innovative ideas explored through public-private sector conversations and working groups.

The conference will focus on three themes namely "The creation of a successful government bond market that would function as a gateway for corporate finance and foreign investment", "The development of equity and corporate bond markets with great opportunities". to the real estate and infrastructure sectors, as well as SMEs and financial institutions subject to Basel II/III regulations", and "The expansion and diversification of the investor base, with a focus on mobilizing foreign investors in local markets and developing investor funds. national pensions that will contribute to long-term financing and financial stability."

J-CAP is a joint initiative of the World Bank and IFC that offers a multitude of services aimed at developing a viable local capital market in the target countries. The countries currently concerned by this initiative are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam and WAEMU.