AfCFTA and Investor Protection in the Securities Market: Prospects for Proactive Regulation

The emergence of investment opportunities afforded by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement epitomizes a deft move by the African countries to tailor the development dynamics in their favour. Although the AfCFTA is full of promise, it also presents challenges to regulatory authorities in the sphere of fraudulent investment practices. While the existing regulatory framework is ill-prepared for regulation and the regulatory authorities have not adverted their mind to the significance of regulation of this emerging area of investment opportunities, potential fraudsters are busy fine-tuning their schemes. The paper assesses the emerging investment opportunities under the AfCFTA and the imperative for proactive regulation of infractions through reliance on the depository structure. Securities, Investor Protection, Fraud, AfCFTA, Depositary