Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2026 launch

14 October 2026

Over the last 10 years, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index has assessed financial development in African countries based on measures of market accessibility, openness and transparency. It tracks progress across 29 sub-Saharan African countries through a survey of more than 50 organisations based in the region. Supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the index is a benchmark for examining how progress enhances investment appeal and promotes economic resilience.

The 2026 report further examines developments in Africa’s financial landscape, including the diversification of financial products, the adoption of environmental, social and governance frameworks, the future of digital innovation and efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks. This year, in addition to assessing progress made over the last 12 months, the report will look back over a decade of transformation to see which countries have seen the greatest development in their financial markets.

The 10th edition of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index will launch at the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will bring together policy-makers and financial market participants from across sub-Saharan Africa to assess this year’s developments and discuss practical ideas for further improvements. It is an opportunity for policy-makers to share best practices and learn from each other, while celebrating 10 years of steady progress.

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OMFIF’s Economic and Monetary Policy Institute is a trusted forum that convenes a global community of central banks, finance ministries, regulators, banks, investors, consultants and other organisations to explore the future of the global economy.

The bedrock of EMP is our off-the-record roundtables with key policy-makers across the world, allowing members to actively discuss the factors shaping economic policy and market trends. In 2024, we hosted over 30 in-person membership events across the UK, Germany and the US as well as more than 20 virtually, with over 1,000 members across the public and private sector registering to attend.

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