By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has officially launched the 8th edition of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) World Investor Week (WIW) 2024 in Eswatini, which promotes financial literacy and empowers investors.
The week-long global initiative, organized by the (IOSCO), aims to raise awareness about investor education and protection, with the theme for this year being “Promoting financial literacy, particularly in investing and portfolio management, with an emphasis on investor resilience, crypto assets, and sustainable finance.”
FSRA CEO, Ncamiso Ntshalintshali, speaking on their Facebook page emphasized the importance of investor education as a tool to enhance public understanding of financial markets and promote sound investment decisions.
“As we celebrate the IOSCO World Investor Week 2024, the FSRA recognizes the benefits and importance of partnering with our counterparts across the globe, particularly in disseminating key messages that support investor education, investor protection, and financial literacy,” Ntshalintshali said.
The IOSCO World Investor Week, traditionally celebrated from the 7th to the 11th of October, allows regulators flexibility in choosing their dates. In Eswatini, FSRA has chosen to commemorate the week from the 21st to the 25th of October, aligning with IOSCO’s mission to support local regulators in engaging their communities.
Throughout the week, FSRA has lined up a series of educational and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting sound investment practices among EmaSwati. These activities include social media campaigns, podcasts, and public presentations from key players in the capital markets.
Ntshalintshali emphasized that the planned events will address various aspects of investing, including fraud prevention and the fundamentals of managing portfolios.
“On the 21st of October, we published information on crypto assets across all media platforms. On the 22nd, we will have a presentation by Stanlib, a financial services provider in the capital markets sector, on investor resilience. Additionally, we will explore how emaSwati can invest in government bonds and treasury bills, which have gained attention recently, due to the government of Eswatini’s listing of its bond program on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange,” Ntshalintshali explained.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, FSRA will turn its focus to technology and digital finance, addressing the impact of financial innovation on investment. The day after, the Eswatini Stock Exchange will deliver a presentation on sustainable finance, exploring how the financial sector can contribute to environmentally and socially responsible investment practices.
A key component of this year’s WIW will be an outreach to students. FSRA has planned educational engagements at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and the University of Eswatini, where students will receive training on the basics of sound money management and investing. This includes how to spot and avoid investment scams, a critical issue given the rise of fraudulent schemes targeting young people.
Ntshalintshali noted that students will also be able to participate in financial literacy quizzes, with random participants standing a chance to win prizes.
“We aim to improve the financial literacy of students so that they are better placed to make sound financial decisions,” he said.
The week will conclude on Friday, October 25th, with a recap of the week’s events and the announcement of the top 10 winners of the random quizzes and an update on activities conducted throughout the week.