Africa’s growing retail trading market took center stage in Nairobi this week as traders, fintech companies and brokers gathered for the inaugural Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026, highlighting the continent’s expanding role in global financial markets.
The two-day forum at the Sarit Expo Centre brought together hundreds of market participants to examine how mobile technology, artificial intelligence, and blockchain innovation are transforming access to currency trading across Africa.
Opening the event, Zack Kiratu, director of Azelia Expo Ltd, said Africa’s financial ecosystem is entering a new phase of global integration driven by a young, digitally connected population.
“Africa is no longer just a market to watch,” Kiratu told attendees. “It is a market to build with, invest in, and help shape the future of global finance.”
Panel discussions focused heavily on the rise of mobile trading platforms, which are rapidly expanding access to global financial markets for retail traders across the continent.
With smartphone penetration rising and digital payment systems improving, traders can increasingly participate in international markets without traditional financial barriers.
Industry participants noted, however, that payment infrastructure remains a critical piece of the ecosystem.
Seamless deposit and withdrawal systems, particularly cross-border payment rails, are essential for sustaining growth in Africa’s digital trading sector.
The conference also examined the convergence between traditional forex markets and emerging digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
Experts said blockchain-based settlement systems could complement existing forex infrastructure, enabling faster and more efficient cross-border transactions.
Workshops on trading strategy, risk management, and broker selection drew strong participation from traders seeking to professionalize their activities in the rapidly expanding sector.
Kenya, which introduced regulation for online forex trading in 2017, is estimated to host more than 100,000 active retail traders, positioning Nairobi as one of Africa’s leading hubs for digital trading and fintech innovation.
Organizers said discussions at the expo could shape the next stage of growth for Africa’s forex and digital trading ecosystem as fintech adoption accelerates across the continent.
