CISI Nigeria Group Aims to Leverage Infrastructure Financing for Economic Growth

The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Nigeria Group, under its National Advisory Council (NAC), is dedicating efforts to boosting the expertise of its members by delving into the potential of infrastructure financing. Recognizing the volatility of the market, the group is set on discovering how to fully capitalize on investment prospects, with a keen focus on infrastructure as a significant opportunity. A recent forum in Lagos entitled 'Exploring Opportunities in Volatile Market - Getting the best of Infrastructure Funding, Risk Management and Social Responsibility Investing' not only addressed these themes but also laid out CISI's action plan within Nigeria for the upcoming months.

Addressing Nigeria's Infrastructure Funding Challenges

During the forum, Jude Chiemeka, acting CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited and the event's special guest, underscored the critical role of robust infrastructure in advancing an economy and enhancing life quality. Highlighting the inadequacy of traditional funding avenues to meet the escalating need for infrastructure, Chiemeka pointed out Nigeria's infrastructure deficit which lags behind the international standard set by the World Bank. He advocated for capital market instruments as a viable supplementary source of funding. Stocks, bonds, and venture capital, according to Chiemeka, are not only conduits for financial growth but are also increasingly geared towards projects with environmental and social value, thereby attracting investors seeking profitable yet responsible returns.

CISI Nigeria's 2023 Blueprint and Membership Benefits

Helena Wilson, Assistant Director of Global Market Development at CISI, provided insights into the institute's planned initiatives for the year. These include offering more membership renewal options, fostering partnerships with institutions, enhancing educational outreach within universities, engaging in joint community projects, amplifying media presence, and introducing new learning formats for continuing professional development. John Osuoha, CISI Country Representative, highlighted the importance for members to harness the wealth of opportunities that arise from being part of CISI, notably the global prospects in the financial services industry and staying informed on international market happenings.

Ijeoma Onwu, the president, emphasized the myriad of benefits for CISI members which span free professional development and access to employment opportunities across more than 75 countries post-certification. Additionally, CISI has been forging collaborations, as seen in their recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) among others, enhancing the pathway to global accreditation and competency building for Nigerian professionals.

infrastructure, financing, investment