The Securities and Exchange Commission of Central Africa (COSUMAF) has published its 2026 priority actions note, adopted by its College on 1 April 2026, setting out how it will execute the 2024–2028 strategic plan through four pillars: financial education, modernisation of the regulator, development of the regional financial market, and stronger international action and cooperation. The 2026 programme highlights staff capacity-building, intensified financial education and the roll-out of risk-based supervision, with an emphasis on KYC capabilities and the digitalisation of supervisory tools. Planned measures include finalising and formally adopting a regional financial education plan, launching a redesigned website and a dedicated investor education portal, and running a broad public communication campaign. On supervision and governance, COSUMAF plans to operationalise a Sanctions Commission, create specialised committees within the College, establish internal control and compliance arrangements, and develop market risk mapping alongside a scoring system for supervised entities. The agenda also includes consolidating and disseminating the regional rulebook, revising the COSUMAF General Regulation of 23 May 2023, developing accounting and prudential standards for market participants, and expanding AML/CFT guidance including on automated transaction reporting, targeted financial sanctions and politically exposed persons, supported by risk-based AML/CFT controls, secure digital archiving and cybersecurity initiatives. To support market deepening, COSUMAF intends to widen SME access to capital markets, pursue mechanisms such as placement guarantees and syndication, streamline collective investment scheme approvals through document standardisation and lighter procedures for funds aimed at qualified investors, and complete the regulatory framework to allow the first investment-type crowdfunding platforms during 2026. The note also reports 2025 delivery across the pillars, including the adoption of 15 instructions and market operations totalling FCFA 361,778,035,650 via public offerings and ongoing IPOs, plus FCFA 6,000,000,000 in private placements, and sets 2026 objectives including reaching six listed equities and eight bond lines and increasing assets under management and securities accounts.
Securities and Exchange Commission of Central Africa 2026-04-27
Securities and Exchange Commission of Central Africa adopts a 2026 priority action plan focused on risk-based supervision and regional market development
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Central Africa has set 2026 priorities to implement its 2024–2028 strategic plan across financial education, regulator modernisation, regional market development, and international cooperation. Measures include risk-based supervision with enhanced KYC and digital tools, operationalising a Sanctions Commission, revising core regulations and AML/CFT guidance, and facilitating SME access, collective investment schemes and investment-type crowdfunding. COSUMAF also reports 2025 market operations of XAF 361,778,035,650 in public offerings and IPOs and XAF 6,000,000,000 in private placements, and targets six listed equities and eight bond lines in 2026 with higher assets under management and securities accounts.