The Director-General of the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), Edoh Kossi Amenounve, presided over the first listing ceremony of Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire (BBGCI) on the main stock market compartment. The event took place on September 25, 2026. During the ceremony, Amenounve highlighted the importance of being listed on the stock exchange, emphasizing that it's not just about raising capital but also about adhering to a label of excellence. He noted that companies listed on the BRVM are among the best-governed, well-managed, and most transparent enterprises with high-quality financial information.
The listing operation involved 10 million shares at 6,750 FCFA, totaling 67.5 billion Fcfa (approximately $118 million). The shares were fully subscribed in less than 24 hours, attracting over 17,000 subscribers. According to Amenounve, the enthusiasm from investors in the sub-region and abroad, with a massive subscription from individuals (around 60%), confirms that there is real savings in the region. However, he noted that what is lacking are quality investment opportunities that offer good expected returns.
Amenounve also emphasized the potential of African stock markets, citing a 24.51% increase in the MSCI emerging markets index since January and over 60% growth in the Ghanaian and Nigerian stock exchanges. The BRVM has also seen significant growth, with a 58% increase since the beginning of 2026. Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire, created in 2006, becomes the 16th bank and 48th company listed on the BRVM with this listing.
The bank, which has been present in Senegal since 2021, plans to transform its Senegalese branch into a banking subsidiary while preparing to open a subsidiary in Guinea in January 2027 and a branch in Burkina Faso in the first half of 2027. Amenounve expressed his satisfaction with the banking sector's increased presence on the stock exchange and called for the arrival of industrial, technological, agricultural, mining, and energy companies to drive growth in the UEMOA region over the next decade.
Amenounve recalled that over the past five years, listed companies on the continent have mobilized 17 times more resources through capital increases than through initial public offerings (IPOs). He emphasized that an IPO is only the beginning of a new financing phase for a company. The ceremony took place in the presence of Togolese Kossi Tenou, Director-General of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF-UMOA).
The successful listing of Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire demonstrates the growing interest in African stock markets and the potential for growth in the region. The BRVM's performance and the listing of new companies are expected to contribute to the development of the UEMOA region's economy. The Togolese government and financial institutions are working to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and access capital through the stock exchange.
The BRVM's growth and the listing of Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire are significant milestones for Togo's financial market. The country's efforts to promote a vibrant and dynamic stock exchange are expected to attract more investors and businesses to the region. With the right regulatory framework and investment opportunities, Togo and the UEMOA region are poised for economic growth and development.
Key points
- The BRVM has seen significant growth, with a 58% increase since the beginning of 2026.
- The listing operation involved 10 million shares at 6,750 FCFA, totaling 67.5 billion Fcfa (approximately $118 million).
- Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire becomes the 16th bank and 48th company listed on the BRVM with this listing.
