SAIFM 9th Annual Regulatory Summit: Insight, Governance, and Market Innovation
The South African Institute of Financial Markets (SAIFM) hosted its 9th Annual Regulatory Summit on 22 August 2025 at the Southern Sun Sandton, bringing together regulators, financial market professionals, and industry leaders to discuss key developments shaping South Africa’s financial landscape.
The summit began with a welcome from Adam Reeves, SAIFM Chair, followed by Preparing to Face the Regulatory Tsunami, presented by Ingrid Goodspeed, SAIFM Deputy Chair. This opening session highlighted the need for proactive strategies and adaptability in an evolving regulatory environment.
Keynote Address
The keynote address by FSCA Commissioner Unathi Kamlana emphasized regulatory resilience, market integrity, and the importance of safeguarding financial markets in the face of global and local challenges.
JIBAR and SARB Matters
Zakhele Gininda, SARB Lead Financial Market Specialist, provided an update on JIBAR transition arrangements and other key SARB matters, sharing insights into central bank priorities and market operations.
FIC Act, Greylisting, and FATF Mutual Evaluation
Christopher Malan, FIC Executive Manager: Compliance and Prevention, discussed updates to the FIC Act, greylisting concerns, and preparation for South Africa’s next FATF Mutual Evaluation, underlining the importance of transparency and robust compliance frameworks.
Companies Act | New King Code (Panel Discussion)
The panel on the Companies Act and the New King Code, moderated by Ingrid Goodspeed, featured Michael Katz, ENSAfrica Chairman, and Parmi Natesan, IoDSA CEO. They explored corporate governance developments and their implications for financial institutions.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape for Market Infrastructures (Panel Discussion)
A panel on navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape for market infrastructures, moderated by Simon Brown, included Gary Clarke, A2X Head of Legal and Regulation, Eugene Booysen, CTSE CEO, and Thabile Omoighe, Strate Head of Regulation and Supervision. The discussion focused on regulatory challenges, industry collaboration, and best practices for market infrastructures.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape as a Market Participant (Panel Discussion)
Adam Reeves moderated a panel on regulatory compliance for market participants, featuring Pavel Matthews, ABSA Group Principal Legal Counsel, and Happy Shihau, Investec Head of Compliance. They shared practical insights into adapting to regulatory changes while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance standards.
Thoughts, Opinion, and Advice on Regulatory Changes
Sherma Malan, Compliance Institute of South Africa CEO, offered guidance on navigating regulatory changes, providing practical advice for compliance professionals to manage evolving obligations effectively.
Blueprint for Market Integrity
Tony Sio, Nasdaq Head of Regulatory Strategy and Innovation, presented on maintaining market integrity, sharing strategies to promote transparency, accountability, and investor confidence through innovation and regulatory foresight.
G20 and Local-Global Economic Outlook
Jeff Gable, ABSA Chief Economist and Head of FIC Research, discussed the implications of G20 developments and the current state of the global and local economy, highlighting the interconnectedness of political and economic events on financial markets.
Wrap-up and Closing Remarks
The summit concluded with Anne Clayton, JSE Group Head of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, providing a wrap-up of key insights, followed by closing remarks from Adam Reeves, SAIFM Chair, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and forward-looking governance.
Networking
Delegates had ample opportunity for networking throughout the day, with refreshments, lunch, and a closing cocktail session enabling discussions, relationship building, and professional collaboration.
SAIFM thanks Strate as the Tier One sponsor of the summit and extends gratitude to all speakers, panellists, sponsors, and delegates for making the event a success. The insights shared underscore a collective commitment to regulatory excellence and sustainable growth in South Africa’s financial markets. For more information, contact +27 (0)11 802 4768, email melissa@saifm.co.za, or visit www.saifm.co.za.
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