Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM)

The Arab Federation of Capital Markets was established in June 1978 to be the guiding body for the Arab stock exchanges, under the recommendation of the Arab Central Banks Conference, held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The headquarters of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets is located in Beirut, Lebanon.

The AFCM is the Arab industry group for 17 exchanges and 8 Clearing houses (CSD’s), and multiple of affiliate members (financial institutions, brokerage firms) from all around the Arab regions (GCC, Levant and Arab African countries). The Federation was set up to contribute to the “development of regulations and promoting harmonized and proactive legislations, and exchanging viewpoints and providing opportunities for cooperation among members”.

The mission of the Federation is to foster a transparent environment for Arab capital markets, enhance the development of market participants, and minimize barriers to securities trading across the region. This is achieved by harmonizing laws and regulations among Arab countries, embracing new technologies, and advancing trading and settlement systems.

The Federation’s vision is centred on facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing collaborative opportunities for its members. It aims to promote knowledge transfer through workshops and conferences while working to develop legislation within Arab financial markets. The Federation also focuses on resolving potential disputes and fostering cooperation with regional and international federations. Additionally, it seeks to increase the value and significance of the Arab stock markets, contributing to the overall growth and stability of the region's financial landscape.