As the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) marks 15 years of operation, its attention is firmly fixed on the future—specifically on bringing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the capital market.
After a decade and a half of building credibility, market integrity, and investor confidence, the Exchange is now positioning itself as a launchpad for growing businesses that have traditionally remained outside the stock market.
Many of these companies operate in the private space, yet hold strong potential to scale, create jobs, and attract long-term investment.
To address this gap, the RSE has introduced new products tailored for SMEs, including NextGenQ, a special board designed for unquoted securities in the private market.
Through this platform, companies are not rushed into listing; instead, they are guided through an investment-readiness process that prepares them to attract capital and meet market standards.
RSE Chief Executive Officer Celestin Rwabukumba says this shift reflects the Exchange’s maturity and its evolving role in Rwanda’s economy.
“At 15, we are no longer young. We have come of age,” he said.
Looking ahead, the CEO emphasized that SME inclusion will define the Exchange’s next phase of growth.
“The next chapter is about bringing more small and medium-sized enterprises to the market, creating tailored segments, and expanding access for ordinary citizens,” Rwabukumba noted.
By focusing on SMEs, the Rwanda Stock Exchange aims to widen participation, unlock domestic investment, and ensure that more Rwandan businesses can use the capital market as a tool for long-term growth.
At 15, the Exchange is no longer just a platform for established players it is becoming a bridge between ambition and opportunity for the country’s next generation of enterprises.
