Shedding more light on Forex Trading
Trading in foreign exchange currencies also known as Forex (FX) Trading is a noble, professional and profitable full-time undertaking and career. Relatively new as a profession in Kenya and many parts of Africa, Forex Trading is often deemed as an abstract practice. It has not been embraced by as many people as is necessary for it to gain full acceptance as a career and its being embraced by some unlicensed and unethical people (especially brokers who purport to offer it as a service/career)has given the profession a bad name (as a form of gambling) and submerged it in mystery.
Consequently, Empire FX (a global online trading platform built to provide transparent, professional access to international financial markets through robust technology and disciplined risk management and with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya), supported by Xelan Markets, IQuoto & ACI among other partners and sponsors has organized the first ever Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 dubbed Azelia Expo. Under theme ‘Smart Monet, Smart Africa—the Future of Forex Trading’, the Expo shall happen at the Sarit Expo Centre from March 10th to 11th 2026 but proceeded by a pre-event function and gala Dinner on March 9th, 2026.
To shed more light on Forex trading generally and the Expo, a team comprising Dr Peter Onyango (Empire FX CEO); Ms Brenda Bett (Hd of Operations –Empire FX); Mr Zack Kiratu –Director Azelia Expo Ltd); Mr Thomas Kyalo (Hd of Operations Africa—Xelan Markets) hosted a Media briefing & panel session for journalists at the Empress Office Suite in Westlands and which was moderated by Mr Muslim Ali on Jan 30th, 2026.
Lots of information of FX trading and the forthcoming Expo was provided.
It was revealed that over 100,000 are today active in retail trading from parts of Kenya. The Kenya industry has a daily trading potential or opportunity of US $ 9.6 trillion which is a 22 per cent increase since 2022.
The Industry leaders appealed for urgent action to promote financial literacy and distinguish legitimate forex trading from gambling. More significantly, the panelists addressed critical misconceptions about forex trading that are evidently preventing young Kenyans from accessing legitimate wealth-building opportunities.
The Gambling Misconception: A Barrier to Financial Empowerment;
The panelists tackled one of the biggest challenges facing Kenya’s forex sector – the widespread misconception that trading is equivalent to gambling.
“This is not gambling – it is strategic, skill-based investment,” said Mr. Kiratu. “Unlike games of chance, forex trading is based on analyzable economic fundamentals, technical chart patterns, and geopolitical events. Professional traders use sophisticated risk management strategies – these are skills that can be learned and refined.”
Kiratu emphasized the distinction; while gambling relies on luck, successful forex trading requires education in technical analysis, understanding of macroeconomic indicators, disciplined risk management including stop-loss orders and position sizing, and emotional control during market volatility.
Kenya’s Regulatory Framework: A Model for Africa:
The panelists also highlighted Kenya’s pioneering role in forex regulation. In 2017, the country became the first African country to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for online forex trading through the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). This move has positioned Nairobi as a credible financial hub for digital trading in the region.
“The key differentiator is education and regulation,” explained Dr. Onyango. “The CMA’s framework ensures that Kenyan traders work with licensed brokers who maintain segregated client accounts, provide clear risk warnings, and operate with transparency. This is fundamentally different from unregulated betting platforms that have caused many to lose their savings.”
Dr. Onyango noted that the CMA continues to strengthen oversight, recently intensifying measures to ban unregulated brokers and educating the public on identifying licensed forex firms.
Addressing Kenya’s Youth Employment Crisis:
The call for forex literacy comes against the backdrop of Kenya’s persistent youth unemployment challenge. With over 75 per cent of the population under 35 years and the formal sector absorbing fewer than half of the 800,000 young Kenyans entering the job market annually, the panelists argued that alternative income pathways have become increasingly critical.
They outlined several advantages forex trading offers young Kenyans such as low barriers to entry with modest starting capital; flexibility to trade from anywhere with a smartphone and internet connection; 24-hours market compatible with other jobs or studies, and the potential for passive income generation.
However, they cautioned that these benefits only materialize with proper education. Industry statistics indicate that 70-80 per cent of retail traders lose money – primarily due to lack of training, poor risk management, and emotional trading decisions.
The Future of Digital Trading in Africa:
“Africa’s digital trading landscape is evolving rapidly,” noted Ms. Bett. “We’re seeing the convergence of forex, cryptocurrency, and fintech innovation. Payment Service Providers are enabling seamless transactions, while mobile trading platforms are democratizing access. The question is no longer whether Africans will participate in global markets, but whether they’ll do so with the knowledge to succeed.”
Bett pointed to Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah” reputation – built on innovations such as M-Pesa – as evidence that the country is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital trading revolution. With smartphone penetration exceeding 50 per cent and robust internet infrastructure, the technical barriers to participation have largely been removed. The remaining challenge, she said, is education.
Mr Kyalo also spoke about Africa’s growing role in the global forex ecosystem. He emphasized the opportunities for innovation and the importance of connecting African traders with international markets through regulated platforms. It was revealed that the African forex market is projected to grow 30 per cent year-on-year in retail trading from 2023 onwards.
Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026: Bridging the Knowledge Gap:
The panelists announced that the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 will address these challenges head-on. Themed “Smart Money, Smart Africa; The Future of Forex & Digital Trading”, the two-day event will provide hands-on training, connect traders with regulated brokers and PSPs, and foster dialogue between industry players and regulators.
The expo will feature live trading demonstrations, expert panel discussions, workshops for both beginners and experienced traders, and exhibition booths from licensed brokers, Crypto Exchanges, Payment Service Providers, and fintech companies. Pre-event activities include an IB (Introducing Broker) cocktail on 9th March and a Gala Dinner on 10th March.
Empire FX was confirmed as Main Sponsor of the event, with Xelans Markets joining as Platinum Sponsor.
Registration for the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 is now open. For sponsorship opportunities, exhibition bookings, and attendee registration, visit https://africaforextradingexpo.com
FYI: Azella Expo is a leading exhibitions and event management company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It serves a diverse clientele across Kenya and East Africa and began its journey with a passion for creating extraordinary experiences that captivate and inspire. “With a dedicated team of experts, we bring together a wealth of experience and creativity to deliver outstanding shows, exhibitions, booth setups, stage backdrops, and corporate events,” a bulletin from the company explains.
On the other hand, Empire FX is a global online trading platform that is Emirati-backed and globally structured. It operates in tandem with international governance standards while maintaining a strong focus on the needs of Kenyan traders. By combining global financial best practices with a deep understanding of local trading behaviour, EmpireFX delivers reliable execution, greater transparency, and access to professional-grade trading tools. Its Kenyan offering is designed with mobile-first users in mind, supported by locally relevant funding options. This global-local approach enables traders to make more informed decisions and engage confidently with global markets in an evolving trading environment.
