Liberia – the continent’s oldest independent country – is set to get its first bourse, nearly six years after initial plans to set up a securities market were made. The nation’s growth has been hindered by the high cost of credit as well as difficulties in accessing financing, especially by SMEs.

According to a Daily Observer report, Central Bank executive governor Milton Weeks explains that in order to fully develop a Liberian stock exchange, the country needs to have a middle class capable of investing in companies that list on the bourse. Currently, there are not many who can do this, but Weeks says the number could grow if Liberians are offered the opportunity to participate in investments capable of putting money in their pockets.

11 October 2016
Image: Gallo/Getty Images