NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Industry leaders have declared Africa a rising force in global financial markets during the opening of the Africa Forex Trading Expo 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
The two-day event has brought together hundreds of forex traders, brokers, fintech innovators, payment service providers and financial educators under the theme “Smart Money, Smart Africa: The Future of Forex & Digital Trading.”
Opening the inaugural expo, Zack Kiratu, Director of Azelia Expo Ltd, said Africa is increasingly shaping global financial markets as more young and tech-savvy traders enter the digital trading space.
“Africa is no longer just a market to watch. Africa is a market to build with, invest in and one that will help define the future of global finance,” he said.
Mobile trading growth
A key theme during the first day of discussions was the growing role of mobile trading, with panelists highlighting how rising smartphone penetration is expanding access to global financial markets.
Speakers noted that mobile platforms are making trading more accessible across Africa, enabling users to participate in global markets from anywhere.
However, experts also cautioned that efficient payment systems remain critical for the sector’s growth.
Industry participants said that even advanced trading platforms require strong payment infrastructure to allow users to deposit, withdraw and manage funds easily.
Trading platforms and behaviour
During a keynote session, Joao Campos of Empire FX discussed how trading platforms must be designed to reflect real human behaviour.
He noted that user interface design plays a key role in helping traders avoid impulsive decisions and maintain disciplined trading strategies.
Macro forces shaping currency markets
Another session explored how monetary policy shifts and interest rate changes influence global currency movements.
Panelists explained that higher interest rates tend to attract capital flows into countries offering stronger returns, making interest rate differentials a major driver of forex market activity.
Crypto and forex convergence
Discussions also focused on the relationship between traditional forex markets and emerging digital assets.
Participants agreed that stablecoins and blockchain technologies could complement forex trading by improving cross-border payments and reducing friction in international transactions.
Industry players said the future of digital finance will likely involve integration between traditional trading systems and blockchain-based infrastructure.
Training and networking
The first day of the expo also featured masterclasses on copy trading, forex entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence in trading, alongside workshops on broker selection and professional accreditation.
An exclusive executive session brought together institutional investors and regulators to discuss governance and oversight in foreign exchange markets.
The event concluded with a gala dinner hosted by main sponsor Empire FX, bringing together industry leaders and fintech innovators.
The expo continues on March 11 with sessions focusing on risk management strategies, women in fintech and forex, and the digital infrastructure supporting cross-border payments in Africa.
