Nigeria Approves Tokenized Shares for Its Over-the-Counter Market

Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission has officially authorized the NASD OTC Securities Exchange to facilitate the issuance and trading of tokenized assets. This regulatory approval allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to raise capital by issuing digital tokens representing shares, bonds, and real estate on a blockchain. By bypassing traditional, cumbersome capital market processes, the initiative aims to provide a faster and more cost-effective funding path for businesses that typically struggle to secure bank credit. NASD acting Managing Director Chinwendu Ekeh emphasized that this move marks a new era in capital formation for the country, which features a demographic where over 60% of the population is under 30. The platform supports near real-time trading and reduced paperwork, aiming to democratize investment access for a younger, tech-savvy generation. While the infrastructure is designed to handle various private-market instruments, the regulator continues to refine the legal framework to manage the inherent risks of this emerging market. This development positions Nigeria alongside other African nations like South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana that are actively integrating blockchain technology into their financial systems. Ultimately, the success of this initiative depends on the underlying business performance of the SMEs, as the blockchain serves primarily as an efficient settlement and ownership layer.