The coronavirus pandemic came in at one of the most challenging moments for a CEO who was just taking up office, Dr Leila Fourie was just months into office when news of the corona virus spread chills across financial markets globally.

Dr. Leila was appointed the CEO of the JSE effective 1st October, 2019, having served as served as Executive responsible for Consumer Finance at Australia’s largest bank, The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and also served as the NSW Vice President of the Economic Society of Australia and on the Board Audit Committee of Lifeline Australia.

The Kenyan Wallstreet team had the chance to speak to Dr. Leila Fourie, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa’s largest bourse by market capitalisation, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Asked about her experience since she took office, Leila said that while it was challenging when she took office, it has been a great opportunity for her and her team at JSE to make a few implementations in the markets.

Some of these implementations include regulations that guide the issuance of bonds on the JSE and publications aimed at ensuring there is more transparency to investors.

African Markets Integration

Dr Leila speaks about market integration in Africa, indicating that talks with major financial markets in Africa were at an advanced stage, with the JSE hoping their investors will soon be able to access markets in Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Morrocco and Ghana.

Despite the many challenges faced during the pandemic, and South Africa’s economy falling into a recession, Dr. Leila remains optimistic that financial markets remain promising and that investors can still make great returns while at the same time offering a good avenue for companies to raise capital.

Dr Fourie has over 20 years in banking and has served in various capacities in the boards of Standard Bank Group.

Key Points from this Podcast with JSE CEO:

• Recovery of financial markets don’t imply economic recovery.
• Markets require continuous, dynamic regulations.
• The pandemic has in one way or another affected stock markets globally.
• African Markets linking up will be a great achievement for investors, putting the continent on the global investors map.

Listen to the full podcast discussion below.