Africa Moves From Market to Partner in Global Forex Industry
By Peace Muthoka
Nairobi, Kenya, March 10, 2026 — Africa is no longer just a market to watch. It is now a market to build with. That was the clear message as industry leaders opened the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 in Nairobi.
Hundreds of forex traders, brokers, fintech innovators, payment service providers, and financial educators gathered at the Sarit Expo Centre for the first day of the two-day event themed Smart Money, Smart Africa: The Future of Forex and Digital Trading.
CPA Zack Kiratu, Director of Azelia Expo Ltd, set the tone with a bold statement about Africa’s growing role in global finance.
“We are opening a gateway to the future of finance in Africa,” he said. “Millions of young, tech-savvy Africans are entering global financial markets. Fintech innovation is accelerating, digital payments are transforming economies, and a new generation of traders is emerging.”
He stressed that Africa is no longer simply a market to observe.
“Africa is a market to build with, a market to invest in, and one that will help define the future of global finance,” Kiratu said.
Mobile trading emerged as a major theme during the first day of discussions. Experts in the session Mobile Trading and Africa’s Digital Leap explained how smartphones are expanding access to global financial markets.
Ali, one of the panelists, said trading opportunities are now more accessible than ever.
“The most amazing thing about trading is that we all have equal opportunities and you can do it from anywhere,” he noted.
Kiratu echoed the sentiment, saying mobile trading will shape the future of financial participation across the continent.
However, speakers warned that strong payment systems remain critical. Sheila, who spoke about mobile payments infrastructure, said even the best trading platforms cannot succeed without reliable financial access.
“You can build the best trading app in the world, but if users struggle to deposit, withdraw, or access their money, then it becomes useless,” she said.
Later in the day, Joao Campos of Empire FX delivered the keynote address, focusing on the human side of trading technology. In his presentation Designing Trading for Real Behaviour, he challenged developers to rethink how platforms are built.
“People don’t make decisions rationally. They respond to design,” Campos told the audience, urging trading platforms to create systems that encourage discipline rather than impulsive behaviour.
The expo also explored the macroeconomic forces that shape global currency markets. During a session on monetary policy and its cross-border impact, Christine explained how interest rate changes influence currency movements.
“When interest rates rise, returns increase. Investors then move money to where returns are higher, and that movement drives currency markets,” she said.
Nick added that traders must also understand concepts such as the carry trade when analysing global financial flows.
Another highly anticipated discussion focused on the relationship between crypto and traditional forex markets. Speakers agreed that the future lies in integration rather than competition.
Vincent highlighted the growing role of stablecoins in connecting traditional finance with decentralized systems.
“You’ll find stable tokens integrated across trading systems, making transactions more standardized and global,” he said.
Joseph emphasized that users care more about speed and convenience than the underlying technology.
“If I send money to Nigeria, I just want it to arrive instantly,” he said. Seth added that traditional forex systems can still evolve alongside blockchain technology.
“Forex doesn’t have to abandon what it already does,” he explained. “But its systems can operate on blockchain because that is where innovation is happening. Stablecoins will likely connect the two worlds.”
Beyond panel discussions, the first day also featured practical masterclasses and workshops. Empire FX hosted a session on responsible copy trading, while Xelans Markets guided traders on building sustainable forex businesses.
Experts also explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in trading strategies, while workshops on broker selection and professional accreditation attracted traders seeking to strengthen their skills.
An exclusive executive session, titled The Forex Room: Decision Frameworks for Institutional FX Governance, brought together institutional players and regulators to discuss market structure and oversight.
More than 250 industry leaders, sponsors, and VIP guests attended the event, using the evening to network and prepare for the second day of discussions.
