The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Africa’s largest stock market, is actively considering the introduction of 24-hour trading to enhance global market access and better compete with major international bourses. This potential move aims to align the JSE with evolving global trading patterns where round-the-clock markets facilitate increased liquidity, accessibility, and investor engagement across time zones.

Who and What
The initiative is spearheaded by the JSE’s leadership, including CEO Leila Fourie, who acknowledged in a recent Bloomberg interview the strategic interest in extending trading hours beyond the current standard session. The JSE is currently exploring technological, operational, and regulatory frameworks necessary to support continuous trading across all asset classes on its platform.

When and Where
While no definitive timeline has been set, discussions gathered momentum throughout 2025, with public statements emerging in August. The trading would take place in Johannesburg, leveraging the exchange’s existing electronic infrastructure, including advanced co-location and connectivity services that support ultra-low latency trading.

Why and How
The JSE faces increasing pressure to modernize its offerings as global investors demand greater flexibility and access. Extended hours would provide multiple benefits:

• Global Market Alignment: Facilitating easier access for international investors in Europe, Asia, and the United States by bridging time zone differences.
• Increased Liquidity: Extending trading hours can attract more participants, reducing volatility caused by concentrated trading windows.
• Competition: As other exchanges adopt 24-hour models, the JSE seeks to maintain and boost its competitiveness as a gateway to African markets.

To enable this, the JSE is leveraging partnerships with technology firms such as Rapid Addition and cloud services provider Beeks Group. These collaborations have already enhanced electronic trading infrastructure, including a new low-latency platform called Colo 2.0. This platform offers cost-efficient private cloud computing with extremely fast order routing, meeting requirements of high-frequency and algorithmic traders.

Context and Background
Currently, the JSE operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time. Though it is the hub for approximately $1.7 billion in daily share trading, the limited hours restrict access for global institutional investors outside South Africa’s trading window. The evolving trading landscape—dominated by technological innovations and investor preference for flexible trade execution—makes the 24-hour model increasingly appealing.

However, market participants have expressed concerns about sustainability and demand for continuous trading. Some local traders question if liquidity will be sufficient overnight to justify round-the-clock operations, posing challenges around market making and price discovery during off-peak hours.

Real-Life Impact and Expert Insights
Leila Fourie emphasized, “We are exploring innovative ways to deepen liquidity and broaden access for global investors while ensuring operational resilience.” This reflects the JSE’s intent to remain future-fit amid a rapidly shifting capital market environment.

Valdene Reddy, Director of Capital Markets at the JSE, noted, “Our technology upgrades position us well to support a 24-hour market. The partnerships with firms like Rapid Addition and Beeks give us confidence that we can deliver a seamless electronic trading experience required for continuous trading.”

Traders and analysts appreciate the potential benefits but urge measured implementation. Market strategist Anjali Mehta remarked, “While 24-hour trading opens many doors, it requires careful calibration to maintain market quality and manage systemic risks inherent to extended sessions.”

Next Steps and Summary
The JSE plans a phased approach, starting with detailed feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations. Regulatory approvals will also be key to shaping the timeline and scope. Such a move could set a precedent as Africa’s capital markets move towards deeper integration with global financial systems.

If successful, 24-hour trading at the JSE would offer South African and African companies enhanced visibility on the world stage while providing global investors uninterrupted access to African assets. The exchange’s efforts reflect broader trends of digital transformation and global connectivity in financial markets.

The next major updates on this initiative will likely emerge in the last quarter of 2025, marking a critical period for the JSE’s modernization strategy and Africa’s positioning in global capital flows.