SEC Pledges Innovation-Driven Market Growth While Safeguarding Investors
By Patience Ikpeme
The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has confirmed the Commission’s dedication to cultivating innovation within the capital market while simultaneously upholding the security of investors’ funds.
Speaking during his keynote address at the Comercio Partners H2 2025 Outlook event, Dr. Agama disclosed that the SEC is proactively engaging with fintech startups, blockchain developers, and quantum technology researchers to formulate regulatory frameworks that achieve a balance between technological advancement and investor protection.
Dr. Agama observed that the world finds itself at a pivotal moment, where established models of global trade, finance, and investment are undergoing profound transformation.
This change is being driven by rapid technological advances, evolving geopolitical landscapes, and the advent of groundbreaking innovations such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. He conveyed that for Nigeria and the wider African continent, this situation presents both unprecedented opportunities and considerable challenges.
He elaborated that for decades, global trade formed the foundation of economic growth, propelled by comparative advantage, supply chain efficiencies, and multilateral agreements. However, recent disruptions, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical tensions, have exposed the vulnerabilities inherent in an over-reliance on traditional trade models.
As nations recalibrate their economic strategies, there is a distinct shift toward growth propelled by innovation. The rise of digital economies, decentralized finance (DeFi), and quantum technologies signals a new epoch where intellectual capital and technological prowess will define competitive advantage.
Describing quantum innovation as the “next frontier,” Dr. Agama explained that it encompasses “quantum computing, cryptography, and communication—promises to revolutionize industries from finance to healthcare.” He connected this to capital markets, where quantum computing could redefine risk modeling, asset pricing, and fraud detection, offering unparalleled speed and accuracy.
He stated firmly that SEC Nigeria is committed to fostering a regulatory environment that encourages innovation while preserving market integrity. The Commission, he detailed, is actively engaging with fintech startups, blockchain innovators, and quantum researchers to develop frameworks that balance progress with investor protection.
The SEC Director General asserted that the future belongs to nations that invest in STEM education and digital skills. He stressed that collaborations between academia, industry, and government are vital for building a workforce prepared for the quantum age.
Furthermore, he noted that quantum innovation demands substantial research and development investment, urging private sector stakeholders to partner with the government in funding research hubs and pilot projects.
Dr. Agama also articulated how Africa, with its youthful population and untapped potential, possesses the capacity to leapfrog into the quantum economy. This can be achieved by leveraging blockchain for transparent capital markets, adopting artificial intelligence and big data to enhance financial inclusion, and establishing innovation sandboxes to test emerging technologies.
He firmly positioned Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, to lead this charge. The SEC, he confirmed, is currently exploring policies to support tokenized assets, digital securities, and green bonds, all of which align with a sustainable, technology-driven future.
