West Africa’s BRVM soars to record heights as African markets catch fire

The Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), West Africa’s regional stock exchange, has reached an unprecedented market capitalization of about $21.2 billion, marking a milestone for the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
Announced on Wednesday (15 Oct), the BRVM’s market cap has soared 29.13% since the end of 2024, with a remarkable 198% cumulative growth over the past five years. When bonds are included, total capitalization now exceeds $23.8 billion, representing nearly 18% of WAEMU’s GDP. The BRVM Composite Index (BRVM-C) has gained 22.29% in 2025 alone, reflecting growing investor confidence and signaling the exchange’s rise as a major player in Africa’s financial ecosystem. A combination of IPO activity, regional bank recapitalizations, and consistent dividend payouts from listed companies has bolstered the surge.
This bullish trend is not isolated. Ghana’s Stock Exchange has skyrocketed by 73.92%, Nigeria’s NGX by 43.54%, and the Johannesburg, Egyptian, and Casablanca exchanges have also posted double-digit gains in 2025. The BRVM, now the fifth-largest stock exchange in Africa, is strategically positioning itself for further integration within a rapidly expanding Pan-African financial network. Experts attribute the region’s boom to strong economic growth, easing monetary policy by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), and increasing investor appetite for African equities. As Africa’s capital markets heat up, the BRVM’s breakout performance signals a rising tide of regional opportunity — and West Africa’s growing influence in global finance.