Morocco’s stock exchange to launch derivatives market within weeks

Morocco’s Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) plans to launch a derivatives market in the coming weeks to boost liquidity and attract a broader investor base, CEO Tarik Senhaji told Reuters.

The new market will include contracts tracking the MASI 20 index and will allow investors to take long and short positions. Future phases will introduce interest rate futures, single-stock futures, and equity options. Senhaji said the move aims to strengthen market flexibility, increase trading volumes, and deepen local and foreign investor engagement.

In 2024, daily trading volume surged nearly 70 per cent to $37.5 million, with market capitalisation climbing 20 per cent to $77.6 billion. However, the exchange saw only one new listing and local participation remains below 1 per cent, prompting efforts to engage more domestic investors. Foreigners currently account for about 30 per cent of CSE investors.

Senhaji added that the exchange aims to integrate Morocco’s stock and government bond markets through interest rate derivatives and plans to introduce listed REITs. Despite global economic headwinds, he said Morocco remains well positioned, citing a favourable 10 per cent proposed US tariff.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: M. S. Salama