SEC Approves Seven NGX’s Derivatives Contracts

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has received approval for seven derivatives contracts from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The approved contracts are: Access Bank Plc Stock Futures; Dangote Cement Plc Stock Futures; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Stock Futures; MTN Nigeria Communications Plc Stock Futures; Zenith Bank Plc Stock Futures; NGX 30 Index Futures, and NGX Pension Index Futures.

The NGX said the approval followed the successful registration of NG Clearing by SEC as a premier central counterparty, effective 7 June 2021.

The NGX noted that with the approvals, it was inching closer to launch West-Africa’s first Exchange Traded Derivatives (ETDs) supported by NG Clearing in the risk management process. Ahead of the launch of derivatives, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, said: “The launch of the derivatives market aligns with our commitment to build a market that thrives on innovation and responds to the needs of stakeholders in accessing and using capital.

“We are, therefore, excited about the prospects of deepening Africa’s position in the global financial markets through ETDs, as well as enhancing liquidity and mitigating against price, duration and other financial risks that may arise from sophisticated financial transactional activities.”

Leading up to the launch of ETDs in the market, the NGX has continued to ensure understanding of derivatives, its applicability and how investors can reap maximum value from the asset class. In this respect, NGX has collaborated with both local and international organisations to facilitate in-depth capacity building programme on the derivatives market. A derivative is a contract between two or more parties whose value is based on an agreed-upon underlying financial asset or group of assets. Common underlying instruments include bonds, commodities, currencies, interest rates, market indices and stocks.