The East African stock markets are increasingly turning to data vending as a key revenue stream to mitigate the impact of declining equity market performances. As trading activities and the number of new listings dwindle, stock exchanges in the region are exploring alternative ways to sustain their financial health. The Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) is the latest to venture into data vending, following in the footsteps of exchanges in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

RSE’s Chief Executive, Celestin Rwabukumba, highlighted the challenges the exchange faces, particularly in attracting new companies to list. Despite the hurdles, the RSE is diversifying its revenue sources beyond traditional trading income, listing fees, and other conventional streams. By tapping into the data vending business, the RSE aims to generate additional income while remaining focused on bringing new products to the market. This move comes at a time when the exchange has seen an increase in the number of investors, with over 10,000 new investors joining in 2023, partly due to the exchange’s efforts in automation and public outreach.

However, the RSE’s equity market turnover decreased significantly, from Rwf 16.15 billion ($12.1 million) in 2022 to Rwf 6.89 billion ($5.05 million) in 2023. Despite the drop in turnover, the exchange managed to post a net profit growth of seven percent, underscoring the importance of diversifying revenue streams.

In Kenya, the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has also seen a boost in revenues from data vending. The NSE reported a 24.6 percent increase in revenue from data sales in 2023, helping to offset the challenges posed by a sluggish market. The NSE’s strategic focus on diversifying income sources has been crucial in maintaining profitability amid market instability.

Similarly, the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) in Tanzania has been proactive in formalizing its data vending operations. The DSE introduced a market data policy in 2021 to guide the dissemination of market data, which includes real-time, delayed, and historical data. The policy aims to ensure that data vending becomes a stable revenue stream for the exchange.

In Uganda, the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) has been in the data vending business since 2018, focusing on growing non-trading revenue as part of its sustainability strategy. The USE’s experience underscores the potential of data vending as a crucial component of stock exchanges’ revenue models in the region.

As East African stock markets face challenges from declining trading activities and fewer new listings, data vending offers a viable path to financial sustainability. By leveraging the growing demand for market data, these exchanges are not only cushioning themselves against market volatility but also positioning themselves as essential data providers in the financial ecosystem.

In continuing the exploration of data vending as a strategic revenue source, the success of East African stock markets in this area underscores a broader trend across global financial markets. Exchanges that diversify their revenue streams beyond traditional trading activities tend to be more resilient in the face of economic downturns and market volatility.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) serves as a prime example of how data vending can significantly contribute to an exchange’s financial health. By generating nearly 900,000 USD from data sales alone in 2023, the NSE was able to increase its net profit by 34 percent. This shift in strategy highlights the importance of non-trading revenue sources, especially in markets where the volume of equity transactions may fluctuate or decline.

In Tanzania, the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) has formalized its data vending operations through a structured policy. This policy not only standardizes how market data is distributed but also ensures that the exchange can monetize various types of data, including real-time and historical data. The DSE’s approach exemplifies how data vending can be systematized to become a consistent revenue stream, helping to buffer against the cyclical nature of trading incomes.

Uganda’s experience with data vending through the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) further solidifies this trend. Since the introduction of data vending services in 2018, the USE has focused on building this segment as a core part of its business growth strategy. By doing so, the exchange has been able to mitigate the effects of reduced trading activity and maintain financial stability.

As these exchanges continue to evolve, data vending is becoming an increasingly important tool for sustaining operations and driving growth. The ability to offer valuable market data to investors, analysts, and other stakeholders not only provides a steady income but also enhances the transparency and attractiveness of the markets.

Moreover, the push towards data vending aligns with broader trends in the financial industry, where data-driven decision-making is becoming more prevalent. By providing high-quality, timely, and relevant data, these exchanges are positioning themselves as indispensable resources for market participants. This, in turn, can attract more investors and listings over time, potentially revitalizing the core trading activities of the exchanges.

Looking ahead, the success of data vending in East African stock markets could inspire similar strategies in other emerging markets. As exchanges across the region and beyond grapple with the challenges of low trading volumes and limited new listings, data vending offers a promising solution to diversify income and ensure long-term financial sustainability.