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- Kenya’s USD 9.6 Trillion Opportunity: Industry Leaders Address Forex Trading Myths and
Youth Financial Empowerment; - With 100,000+ Kenyans now trading forex, experts convened to distinguish legitimate
investment from gambling and chart pathway for Africa’s digital trading future
Kenya’s USD 9.6 Trillion Opportunity: Industry Leaders Address Forex Trading Myths and Youth Financial Empowerment With 100,000+ Kenyans now trading forex, experts convened to distinguish legitimate investment from gambling and chart pathway for Africa’s digital trading future
Industry leaders called for urgent action to promote financial literacy and distinguish legitimate forex trading from gambling, as Kenya’s forex market continues to experience unprecedented growth with over 100,000 active retail traders.
Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi, forex executives and financial educators addressed the opportunities and risks facing young Kenyans in a global market now worth USD 9.6 trillion in daily trading volume – a 28% increase since 2022.
The briefing, held at Empress Office Suite in Westlands, brought together key players in Kenya’s forex ecosystem to announce the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026, scheduled for 10th – 11th March at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi.
More significantly, the panelists addressed critical misconceptions about forex trading that they say are preventing young Kenyans from accessing legitimate wealth-building opportunities.
The Gambling Misconception: A Barrier to Financial Empowerment Addressing journalists, 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. Zack Kiratu, Director of
Azelia Expo Ltd.
“Unlike games of chance, forex trading is based on analysable 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 highlighted Kenya’s pioneering role in forex regulation. In 2017, Kenya 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. Peter Onyango, CEO of Empire FX.
“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% of the population under 35 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.
The speakers outlined several advantages forex trading offers young Kenyans: low barriers to entry with modest starting capital, flexibility to trade from anywhere with a smartphone and internet connection, a 24-hour market compatible with other work 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% 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. Brenda Bett, Head of Operations at Empire FX. “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 like M-Pesa – as evidence that the country is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital trading revolution.
With smartphone penetration exceeding 50% and robust internet infrastructure, the technical barriers to participation have largely been removed.
The remaining challenge, she said, is education.Thomas from Xelans Markets, who also addressed the briefing, 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.
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 twoday 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
