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Best Forex Brokers In Kenya 2024

Written By

James Barra

Written By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Updated

Feb 29, 2024

To trade forex in Kenya you need to open an account with an online broker. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) oversees currency trading in Kenya, and although recommended, residents are not required to sign up with a CMA-authorized broker.

Many Kenyans turn to global brokers for their excellent trading tools, selection of currency pairs, reputations and fees. In fact, we’re seeing a growing number of forex platforms cater to traders in Kenya, supporting convenient deposit options like M-Pesa and accounts in the Kenyan Shilling (KES).

Discover the best forex brokers in Kenya. Every forex platform listed accepts traders from Kenya.

Top 5 Forex Brokers in Kenya

We've reviewed almost 500 brokers and these are the 5 top-rated forex brokers for traders in Kenya:

1. Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
2. IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
3. AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
4. FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.
5. Pepperstone - Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

Best Forex Brokers In Kenya 2024 Comparison

Best Forex Brokers In Kenya 2024 Comparison

Broker	Forex Assets	EUR/USD Spread	Forex App Rating	Minimum Deposit	Regulator	Visit
	55+	0.0	4 / 5	$50	FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC	Visit
	75	0.02	4.8 / 5	$200	ASIC, CySEC, FSA	Visit
	50+	0.9	4.3 / 5	$100	ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM	Visit
	80+	1.2	4.9 / 5	$100	NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA	Visit
	100+	0.1	4.7 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB	Visit
	55+	1.6	4.7 / 5	$5	ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA	Visit
	50+	0.0	3.6 / 5	$100	ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB	Visit
	45+	Variable	3 / 5	$0	-	Visit
	60+	14 pips	4.5 / 5	$10	-	Visit
	80+	0.8	4.9 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA	Visit
	50+	1.2	4 / 5	$10	FSC, FSA	Visit
	70+	1.58 pips (Ave)	2.5 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC	Visit
	70+	0.2	3.4 / 5	$0	CySEC	Visit
	60+	0.6	5 / 5	$100	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA	Visit
	67	0.70 pips (var)	3.9 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC	Visit

#1 - Vantage

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Review

Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
• EURUSD Spread: 0.0
• EURGBP Spread: 0.5
• Total Assets: 55+
• Leverage: 1:500
• Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

• It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes
• Vantage caters to hands-off investors with beginner-friendly social trading via ZuluTrade & Myfxbook
• Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC

Cons

• The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
• It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
• A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side

Visit Vantage

#2 - IC Markets

Visit

Review

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
• EURUSD Spread: 0.02
• EURGBP Spread: 0.27
• Total Assets: 75
• Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

• You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
• As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
• IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.

Cons

• Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
• While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
• The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.

Visit IC Markets

#3 - AvaTrade

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Review

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
• EURUSD Spread: 0.9
• EURGBP Spread: 1.5
• Total Assets: 50+
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
• Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

• AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more
• The broker offers reliable 24/5 multilingual customer support with fast response times during testing
• WebTrader is well-suited to beginners and features a strong suite of technical analysis tools and market research for day traders

Cons

• There is no ECN account with raw spreads
• It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
• A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners

Visit AvaTrade

#4 - FOREX.com

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Review

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
• EURUSD Spread: 1.2
• EURGBP Spread: 1.4
• Total Assets: 80+
• Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About FOREX.com

Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.

Pros

• Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
• The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
• FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.

Cons

• Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
• FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
• There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.

Visit FOREX.com

#5 - Pepperstone

Visit

Review

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
• EURUSD Spread: 0.1
• EURGBP Spread: 0.4
• Total Assets: 100+
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade

About Pepperstone

Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.

Pros

• Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
• Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
• Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates of 25%+ through the Active Trader program.

Cons

• There’s no simplified proprietary trading platform, nor are there any social trading features, which could be a disadvantage if you are new to day trading.
• Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
• Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.

Visit Pepperstone

How Did We Choose The Best Forex Brokers In Kenya?

We leveraged our extensive database of forex brokers to focus on those accepting Kenyan traders, ranking them based on an overall rating derived from key factors, including:

FAQ

Is Forex Trading Legal In Kenya?

Yes, residents of Kenya are permitted to trade currencies online.

Who Regulates Forex Brokers In Kenya?

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) regulates forex brokers that are based in Kenya and accepting local residents.

The CMA is a trusted regulator that has various rules brokerages must meet, including capital requirements of 50 million Kenyan Shillings, a Director with experience in financial services, and an office presence in Kenya.

However, forex traders in Kenya can also open accounts with brokers based and regulated elsewhere. If you do this, you may give up legal protections so make sure you choose a reliable broker.

Is Forex Trading Safe In Kenya?

Forex trading in Kenya, like all countries, comes with risks. You could lose money making incorrect predictions on the price of currency movements.

We’ve also seen a large number of scams target Kenyan traders, with one of the most notable, VIP Portal, conning Kenyans out of over 1 billion shillings, underscoring the importance of choosing a trusted forex broker.

How Much Money Do I Need To Start Trading Currencies In Kenya?

Based on our extensive database of forex brokers accepting Kenyan traders, a deposit of up to $250 is required, equivalent to approximately 35,000 shillings.

That said, several leading forex brokers have no minimum deposit, notably Pepperstone, which is also authorized by the CMA.