The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has been elected Vice-Chair of the Africa/Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and a member of the IOSCO Board. The election took place at the 49th IOSCO Annual Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where regulators from around the world convened to shape global market standards.
In his new role, Agama will work alongside regional and global counterparts to harmonise regulations, deepen market integration, and strengthen investor protection across Africa and the Middle East. His appointment is widely viewed as recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global capital market policy-making. His appointment also secures him a seat on the IOSCO Board, the organisation’s highest decision-making body, where he will serve until 2026.
Since assuming office as SEC chief earlier this year, Agama has championed reforms aimed at restoring market confidence, expanding market access, and fostering innovation. Key initiatives under his leadership include the review of listing requirements to attract high-growth companies, the promotion of fintech regulation through sandbox programmes, and renewed engagement with regional exchanges to boost cross-border investment.
In his acceptance speech in Colombo, Agama projected that digital assets could represent a $10 trillion global market opportunity by 2030 if effectively harnessed. He stressed the need for AMERC to position itself strategically through clear regulatory frameworks for stablecoins, tokenised securities, and other emerging digital asset classes.
According to him, the $10 trillion outlook is driven by the rapid adoption of blockchain technology, the tokenisation of traditional assets, and the demographic advantage of a youthful African population. He urged regulators in the region to balance innovation with strong safeguards, ensuring that capital market development translates into inclusive economic growth.
Agama’s dual role as SEC DG and AMERC vice-chair is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s integration into the global securities community, while advancing policies that make the country and the region, a competitive player in the digital economy.
