Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) Forum 2026 Day 1 Highlights: Phase II of the African Exchange Linkage Project (AELP) Launched, Youth Identified as Africa’s Next Major Investor Class

The Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) hosted the first day of the 13th Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) Forum in Dar es Salaam, focusing on capital market integration, alternative finance, ETFs, and digital innovation. The forum highlighted the launch of Phase II of the African Exchange Linkage Project (AELP), the expansion of Sukuk financing in Tanzania totaling around USD 260 million, and the role of Africa’s youth population, estimated at around 60% under the age of 25, described as a massive new investor base for the continent’s capital markets.