The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers ([CIS](https://cisng.org)) is set to hold its 30th Annual Conference in Lagos on 4 and 5 November, gathering government economists, market regulators, institutional investors and industry leaders to explore ways of turning raised capital into tangible economic growth.
**What will the conference address?**
The two‑day event will centre on the theme “From Capital Mobilised to Prosperity Realised: Financing Nigeria’s Next Era of Growth and Global Competitiveness”. Organisers say the agenda will move the discussion from merely raising funds to ensuring those funds are deployed in productive projects that expand businesses, create jobs and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the world stage.
**Who are the key speakers?**
Dr Fiona Ahimie, President of CIS, highlighted the need to shift attention from the volume of capital raised to its effective use. “Our focus must go beyond mobilising capital to ensuring that capital translates into productive investment, business expansion, employment generation and shared prosperity,” she said. She added that a forward‑looking capital market must be innovative, inclusive, efficient and attractive to both domestic and foreign investors.
Saheed Bashir, Chairman of the Conference Committee, explained that the gathering is designed to bring together participants from the entire investment value chain. He noted that sessions will examine the interplay between market development, technology, regulatory effectiveness and the financing requirements of the real economy.
**Which sessions are earmarked for concrete outcomes?**
A flagship session titled “Financing Productive Investments in the Real Economy: Spotlight on Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and SMEs” will probe how the [capital market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_market) can supplement bank lending by linking long‑term investors with infrastructure projects, manufacturing firms and small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises. The discussion will seek actionable recommendations that policymakers, regulators and investors can translate into measurable results.
**Why is the conference timely?**
Nigeria’s economy is seeking new sources of financing to support its ambitious infrastructure agenda and to revive the manufacturing sector, both of which are critical for job creation and export diversification. By convening stakeholders in Lagos, the CIS conference aims to produce a roadmap that aligns capital market reforms with the country’s broader development goals.
The organisers expect the deliberations to generate practical ideas that can be adopted by regulators, the Central Bank of Nigeria and private sector players to unlock long‑term funding for projects that drive inclusive growth.