By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The International Securities Services Association (ISSA) has expressed its eagerness to learn more about Africa from Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, which joins the board of the global organisation.
The addition of CSCS as a member of the board of ISSA, the first African to achieve this feat, also means its chief executive, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, will occupy a position on the board.
The chairman of ISSA, Mr Phil Brown, described the inclusion of CSCS to the board as a welcome development, saying, “CSCS is a great addition to the ISSA board, bringing not only in-depth knowledge of Africa but also a forward-thinking and technologically advanced perspective.”
“ISSA is committed to building its brand on the continent and ensuring the relevance of its products to all market segments – and the presence of CSCS on the Board will ensure that ISSA delivers on this commitment.
“Haruna is a known quantity at ISSA, having served and actively contributed on the Operating Committee. He will undoubtedly bring his skills and personality to the Board, and I am delighted that he will be joining us,” Mr Brown stated.
On his part, Mr Jalo-Waziri expressed his excitement to “have the opportunity to contribute toward global capital market development.”
“I look forward to deepening my engagement with ISSA towards advancing its crucial role in the global securities services industry for the mutual interest of all members and more importantly the integrity and efficiency of the market.
“Since becoming an Operating Committee Member, I have more than ever appreciated the real value that ISSA brings to the market and the potential of its coordination of securities services stakeholders across the ecosystem.
“ISSA’s willingness to listen to stakeholders and take proactive actions towards advancing the industry has resulted in concrete positive changes and tremendous knowledge exchange amongst member institutions.
“CSCS joining the board is an honour for us and we are excited that Africa is duly recognised as a critical part of the global market ecosystem, relevant for driving ISSA’s mission to shape the future of securities services,” he said.
Mr Jalo-Waziri has over 30 years of experience in the financial market. At the early stage of his career, he worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the apex regulatory organisation of the capital market in Nigeria.
He worked in the investment banking business of Afrinvest West Africa (formerly SECTRUST). He pioneered the Asset Management Department of Kakawa Discount House Limited, which he played an active role in transforming into a full fledge company “Kakawa Asset Management Limited” (now FBN Merchant Bank).
He later joined the services of First Alliance Pension & Benefits Limited (now part of ARM Pensions Limited), one of the pioneer pension fund administrators established in Nigeria, in partnership with Mcube South Africa.
In 2007, he was appointed MD/CEO of UBA Stockbrokers Limited, a subsidiary of United Bank for Africa (UBA Plc). He successfully transformed the hitherto loss-making entity into a profitable business and saw it grow to one of the top-5 securities trading companies in Nigeria within three years of his leadership. He later became the MD/CEO of UBA Asset Management Limited.
In 2012, Mr Jalo-Waziri was appointed the Executive Director, Capital Markets of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group Plc), the premier capital trade point in Nigeria and leading African Exchange.
He had primary responsibility for the overall capital market developments and implemented key initiatives such as a partnership between the NSE and the London Stock Exchange Group (which berth dual listings of Nigerian corporates on both Exchanges), development of the Green Bond market (with the pioneering instrument being the Nigerian Sovereign Green Bond), the introduction of Federal Government Retail Savings Bond, the launch of the NSE Premium Board, and MSCI Index Partnership- GICS Adoption amongst others.
He has been CEO of CSCS for almost 5 years and is the Vice President of the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA). He has recently represented the World Forum of CSDs at the ISSA Operating Committee.
