The NSE welcomes interests from Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike on its platform. Over the years of operation, the NSE has evolved into a highly accessible market for both investors and dealing members.
THE 3 EASY STEPS
Investing in the NSE has undergone a thorough process of simplification over the years, many thanks to technology. To get started on investment in Nigeria, here are 3 easy steps to follow.
1. Research and decide on a preferred stockbroker
A stockbroker is an appointed agent who is authorized to execute, buy or sell instructions on an investor’s account. Within the purview of the Nigerian stock market, a stockbroker will refer to a broker-dealer firm that is a dealing member of the NSE and is registered with the SEC.
In deciding a stockbroker important factors to consider include their ease of access, their affordability (since some firms place a minimum amount for opening an account), their integrity/reputation, and their status (active or inactive) with the NSE/SEC.
A list of stockbrokers and their contact details including their corresponding transaction fees will be provided in a subsequent article.
2. Register with your chosen stockbroker
To register with a stockbroker, clients have to fill the registration form issued by the broker (either online or manually) and provide KYC (know your customer) documents namely;
• Means of identification (PVC, National ID, Driver’s License or International Passport),
• Proof of residential address (bill or receipt no later than 3 months),
• Passport photograph and electronic signature (if filling the form online).
For non-Nigerian residents, notarized means of ID and proof of residential address will be required.
To participate in the NSE, all investors have to be registered on the CSCS (Central Securities Clearing System). CSCS Ltd is an associate company of the NSE. The system is an electronic database that records ownership of Nigerian securities. On registration, the systems assign you an account number that will accompany every Nigerian stock trade you execute.
Opening an account on the CSCS is done through the platform provided by your stockbroking firm (typically, stockbrokers update client registration on their platforms, automatically in the CSCS registry).
3. Fund your account and start trading
Your stockbroker will provide you with their bank account details and they will fund your account as soon as any payment you make is confirmed. All transactions with the exchange are executed by your stockbroker. This can happen in one of two ways.
a. You can send trade instructions to your broker, usually by mail.
b. Some brokers provide online trading platforms that allow you execute transactions yourself.
Then there’s the obvious final step, reap the benefits of your investments!
