Africa’s financial markets are set for a fresh assessment as the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index (AFMI) 2026 reaches its 10th edition, providing an opportunity to examine how the continent’s financial systems have evolved over the past decade and where the next phase of growth could come from.
The 2026 AFMI will be launched on 14 October 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, during the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.
The event will mark a decade of the index, which has assessed financial-market development across African countries, focusing on areas including market accessibility, openness and transparency.
A decade of measuring financial-market development
The 2026 edition will assess financial-market development across 29 African countries, drawing on a survey of more than 50 organisations based in the region.
Supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the index provides a benchmark for examining how financial-market development can enhance investment appeal and strengthen economic resilience.
The 10th edition will go beyond its annual assessment. Alongside developments recorded over the past 12 months, the report will look back across the decade to identify countries that have made the greatest progress in developing and deepening their financial markets.
Digital innovation moves to the centre
One of the major themes of the 2026 report will be the future of digital innovation in African financial markets.
Digital technologies are reshaping how consumers access financial services, how businesses transact and how financial institutions deliver products.
For capital markets, continued digitalisation could improve efficiency, accessibility and transparency while creating new ways for investors and businesses to participate in financial markets.
The report will examine digital innovation alongside the diversification of financial products, the adoption of environmental, social and governance frameworks and efforts to strengthen regulatory systems.
Diversification could broaden Africa’s investment appeal
African markets are increasingly looking beyond traditional financial instruments as businesses, governments and investors seek new ways to mobilise capital.
The diversification of financial products can create additional opportunities for investment while supporting areas such as infrastructure, sustainable finance and private-sector development.
The 2026 index will examine how these developments are influencing the attractiveness and resilience of African financial markets.
Regulation remains critical
While innovation is opening new opportunities, the development of financial markets ultimately depends on investor confidence.
Regulatory certainty, transparency, enforceability of contracts and access to reliable financial information remain important components of a functioning investment environment.
The 2026 focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks comes as African economies continue working towards deeper financial integration and more attractive investment environments.
What the 2026 index could mean for business
For African businesses, the significance of the AFMI extends beyond rankings.
More developed financial markets can create greater opportunities for companies seeking capital, while stronger market infrastructure can help investors assess opportunities and risks more effectively.
The index’s decade-long perspective could therefore provide useful evidence of where reforms have translated into measurable improvements — and where further work is required.
The 2026 report will also provide an opportunity to examine which countries have recorded the greatest development over the past decade and what lessons their experiences could offer other African economies.
October launch to mark 10 years of the index
The 14 October 2026 launch in Bangkok will put a decade of African financial-market development under the spotlight.
For investors, policymakers and businesses, the report will offer an opportunity to assess how reforms, digital innovation, financial-product diversification and regulatory development are shaping Africa’s investment landscape.
As African economies seek to attract more capital and strengthen economic resilience, the 2026 AFMI could provide an important measure of how effectively the continent is building financial markets capable of supporting its next phase of growth.
