Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 Set to Transform Kenya’s Growing Forex Sector

WHY THIS MATTERS:
Retail forex trading is gaining momentum across Africa as mobile-first platforms, digital payments and clearer regulation lower barriers to entry. Kenya’s early move to regulate online forex trading has positioned it as a regional reference point, offering a more structured alternative to informal or unregulated activity. As youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, interest in skill-based digital income streams is rising—but so is the risk of misinformation and poor practice. Industry-led forums that emphasise education, transparency and responsible participation are becoming increasingly important. Bringing brokers, fintechs, PSPs and educators together reflects a broader effort to professionalise retail trading across the continent, align it with regulatory standards and ensure growth is sustainable rather than speculative.

Azelia Expo Ltd today announced the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026, a first-of-its-kind event, with Empire FX confirmed as Main Sponsor, bringing together forex traders, brokers, fintech innovators, Payment Service Providers (PSPs), Crypto Exchanges, and financial educators from across Africa and beyond. The two-day expo, scheduled for 10th – 11th March 2026 at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, comes at a critical time when Kenya’s forex trading market is experiencing unprecedented growth.

Kenya: A Rising Star in Africa’s Forex Landscape

Kenya has emerged as a major forex hub in Africa, with an estimated 100,000 active retail traders participating in the market. In 2017, Kenya became the first African country to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for online forex trading through the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), setting a benchmark for responsible trading across the continent.

The global forex market now trades approximately USD 9.6 trillion daily (a 28% increase from 2022), making it the world’s largest and most liquid financial market. The African forex market is projected to experience 30% year-on-year growth in retail trading from 2023 onwards, largely driven by mobile trading platforms, PSPs enabling seamless transactions, and growing interest from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

Addressing Kenya’s Youth Employment Challenge

With over 75% of Kenya’s population under 35 years old and the formal sector absorbing fewer than half of the 800,000 new job seekers entering the market annually, forex trading presents a legitimate alternative income opportunity for skilled individuals. The expo aims to bridge the knowledge gap and equip young Kenyans with the skills needed for responsible trading.

“This is not gambling – it is strategic, skill-based investment,” said Mr. Zack Kiratu, Director of Azelia Expo Ltd. “The Africa Forex Trading Expo will demystify forex trading, promote financial literacy, and connect African traders with legitimate opportunities in the global market. Unlike gambling, successful forex trading requires education, technical analysis, risk management, and disciplined strategy – skills that can be learned and refined.”

Demystifying Forex: Investment, Not Gambling

Unlike games of chance, forex trading is based on analyzable economic fundamentals, technical chart patterns, and geopolitical events that skilled traders can study and interpret. Professional traders use sophisticated risk management strategies, including stop-loss orders, position sizing, and portfolio diversification, to protect their capital and generate consistent returns.

“The key differentiator is education and regulation,” explained Dr. Peter Onyango, CEO of Empire FX, Main Sponsor of the expo. “The CMA’s regulatory 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.”

FF NEWS TAKE:
This expo signals growing confidence in Africa’s retail trading ecosystem, particularly in regulated markets like Kenya. The real impact will depend on whether education and oversight keep pace with adoption. Watch for deeper collaboration between regulators, platforms and educators as forex participation continues to scale across Africa.