From Offshore to Onshore: How Brokers Are Localising FX and CFD Trading in Africa

Core Insights - Africa's FX and CFD market is transitioning towards a regulated and localized model, driven by frameworks in South Africa and Kenya that establish clearer operational guidelines for brokers [1][8] - The mobile-money infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for facilitating deposits, withdrawals, and onboarding for traders, contributing significantly to GDP growth [2][8] Regulatory Anchors & Market Evolution - Kenya's regulations require local licensing for online brokers, enhancing client fund protections and establishing leverage and disclosure rules [8] - South Africa's ODP regime sets authorization criteria for OTC derivatives providers, strengthening conduct and prudential expectations [8] - Nigeria is moving towards formalizing online FX platforms, indicating a trend towards increased regulation [8] Mobile Money & Market Access: Hard Data - Mobile money's contribution to GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from approximately US$150 billion in 2022 to about US$190 billion in 2023 [8] - The transaction value of mobile money in Africa increased by around 15% year-on-year to about US$1.1 trillion in 2024, while global transaction value reached approximately US$1.68 trillion, growing by 16% year-on-year [8] Challenges & Growth Levers - Payment and onboarding friction remains a challenge, particularly for cross-border brokers due to regulatory constraints and compliance issues [7] - Brokers are encouraged to integrate local payment systems and design platforms for low-data environments to meet domestic KYC and reconciliation needs [5][13] Product Signals & Market Demand - There is a rising demand for diversified products, with brokers like Deriv offering synthetic indices in multiple African markets [8] - Financial literacy and risk awareness are becoming increasingly important in regulated markets, influencing broker strategies for client education [8] The Broker Perspective - Trust is identified as a critical factor for traders in Africa, who seek reliable and transparent platforms [10] - Operating under local licenses enhances accountability and fosters long-term relationships with traders [11][12] Path Forward: What's Realistic & What to Watch - The next 1-3 years may see further regulatory clarity in West and Central Africa, increased integration of mobile money, and a broader range of products offered by brokers [17] - The evolution of leverage and client fund policies in markets lacking dedicated CFD regulations will be crucial to monitor [17]