Q&A | ‘About 110 African Companies Have Listed and Raised Over $150 Billion’ – A Chat with Africa Primary Markets Lead, London Stock Exchange

With just a few days to go before the Africa Tech Summit 2026 scheduled for February 11-12, 2026, BitKE spoke to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), one of the key sponsors of the summit.

Ajayi Abi, the lead for Africa & Middle East Primary Markets at the London Stock Exchange, sat down with the Managing Editor at BitKE to discuss the support the LSE is offering to African issuers. With around 110 African companies, the LSE is now one of the largest aggregation of African companies outside of the continent.

Abi breaks down what it actually takes for an African company to get listed on the LSE.


Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

Here is the exclusive Q&A.

BitKE: Abi, for those who may not know you, could you briefly introduce yourself and your role?

Abi: Certainly. I lead the Africa & Middle East Primary Markets team at the London Stock Exchange. My work centers on supporting issuers such as companies, founders, and governments as they consider accessing international capital through London – through our various market pathways.

I have spent my career at the intersection of issuers, asset owners, investors, and policymakers, and I am passionate about helping businesses from the region, particularly on how they tell their stories, and connect with capital and opportunities on a global stage.

BitKE: How would you describe the London Stock Exchange’s experience working with African companies?

Abi: The experience has been consistently positive. We have a long history of supporting African companies and have around 110 companies from the continent listed on our markets, with a combined total market capitalization of around $180 billion.

The London Stock Exchange is home to the largest aggregation of African companies outside of Africa. Since 2015, African governments, DFIs, and companies have raised more than $150 billion (equity and debt) on our markets. Our African issuers bring strong growth stories, resilient business models and deep market relevance. Investors in London have long understood sectors like financial services, natural resources, telecoms and infrastructure, where African companies often lead.

We are also proud of the work we are doing to support tech and tech-enabled companies across the funding continuum.

We also see meaningful interest in dual listings, which allow companies to maintain their home‑market presence while accessing global pools of institutional capital with our International Secondary Listing Segment. The engagement is increasingly sophisticated, and companies are approaching the process with clear strategy and long‑term ambition.

BitKE: What does it actually take for an African company to list in London? Are there any unique requirements?

Abi: The core requirements are the same for any international issuer: strong governance, high‑quality audited financials, an effective board, and transparent reporting.

For African companies, the nuances tend to be practical rather than regulatory. For example, bridging local reporting practices with the UK’s disclosure standards, managing currency considerations, or educating global investors on the operating environment.

These are not obstacles – they’re simply part of preparing a company for global visibility. With the right advisers, companies can navigate this seamlessly.

Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

BitKE: You work closely with African issuers. What trends or patterns are you observing?

Abi: Across the board, companies are becoming much more intentional about timing, investor education and the mechanics of going public.

In Africa, three trends stand out:

• Large‑cap national champions – particularly in the banking, energy and infrastructure sectors – are exploring cross‑border listings to broaden their investor base
• Tech‑enabled and fintech platforms are increasingly considering London, especially where governance, cost efficiency and regulatory alignments matter. There is also the opportunity to utilise our innovative Private Securities Markets, which connects private and public markets by enabling private companies to access intermittent liquidity for existing shareholders and evolve their shareholder base through public markets infrastructure.
• Privatization pipelines and carve-outs are gaining attention as conversations grow around global capital access and unlocking value from existing assets.

BitKE: There’s huge interest globally in digital assets and emerging tech. How is London engaging with these companies? And do you have African examples?

Abi: London works extensively with emerging tech – fintech, cyber, healthtech, digital infrastructure and software-led businesses.

The regulatory environment here is principles‑based and transparent, which gives growing companies looking to access capital through public markets with strong credibility with investors.

From Africa specifically, we see dynamic engagement from fintech and mobile‑money platforms, digital‑payments infrastructure companies, and tech‑enabled businesses from Cape Town to Cairo. Companies often start by exploring eligibility and valuation frameworks far ahead of a transaction.

We encourage early dialogue – it leads to stronger outcomes.

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BitKE: What concerns do digital‑asset or emerging‑tech companies raise when considering a listing?

Abi: Companies from across the globe and across sectors would typically want to learn more about how being as a listed company would work for them and what the process of becoming a public company entails, for example:

• Regulatory clarity – how their model fits into UK listing rules.

• Disclosure expectations – how to remain transparent without revealing

sensitive data.

• Investor appetite for pre‑profit models – London is receptive, but investors

want clarity on unit economics and a path to profitability.

• Valuation benchmarking – how London compares with other markets.

• Board readiness – ensuring the governance structure matches public‑market

expectations.

All of these can be addressed through preparation and early engagement.

BitKE: Finally, what’s your message to African companies exploring global capital markets?

Abi: The message is simple: London is open, international and reform‑driven.

For African companies with strong fundamentals, good governance and global ambition, London offers depth, visibility and a highly engaged investor base.

Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

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