By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
THE Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has accelerated its digital transformation drive with the rollout of a fully electronic registration process for selected capital market regulatory services, a move aimed at reducing bureaucracy, improving service delivery and strengthening oversight across Nigeria’s capital market.
The new system, which is being deployed through the Commission’s electronic portal ,ePortal, enables existing Capital Market Operators, CMOs, to complete designated post-registration processes online without the need for physical documentation or in-person interactions. The initiative represents another step in the regulator’s broader efforts to modernise market operations, enhance transparency and create a more technology-driven regulatory framework.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission said the electronic registration ,e-Registration, platform allows eligible market operators to complete the entire registration workflow digitally, from application submission and regulatory review to approvals and communication of decisions.
According to the SEC, the digital platform eliminates manual processing for services covered under the current phase, providing operators with a more efficient and transparent regulatory experience.
The Commission noted that the initiative is designed to simplify interactions between the regulator and market participants by reducing administrative bottlenecks, shortening application processing timelines and allowing applicants to monitor the status of their submissions in real time.
It explained that the migration from paper-based procedures to a fully electronic system would also strengthen regulatory oversight by introducing standardised workflows, secure electronic documentation, improved record management and enhanced audit trails.
“The new platform represents a major step towards creating a seamless digital regulatory ecosystem that enhances operational efficiency while strengthening regulatory effectiveness,” the Commission stated.
The SEC said the e-Registration platform aligns with its strategic objective of leveraging technology to improve market efficiency, promote ease of doing business and deliver faster, more effective regulatory services to stakeholders.
Beyond operational efficiency, the Commission said the initiative would reinforce the integrity of regulatory processes by minimising delays associated with manual documentation, improving data quality and providing a stronger foundation for evidence-based regulatory decision-making.
It added that the availability of structured digital records would also support the development of advanced regulatory analytics and future technological innovations aimed at enhancing supervision of Nigeria’s capital market.
According to the Commission, the implementation of the electronic registration platform is being carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition for market participants while preserving the stability and integrity of the regulatory framework.
The SEC clarified that the current phase applies only to post-registration services for existing Capital Market Operators. It noted that applications for the registration of new market entrants are not yet covered under the electronic system.
The Commission assured stakeholders that electronic processing for new registration applications would be introduced in a subsequent phase, with the commencement date to be communicated in due course.
