Best Online Brokers in Kenya for 2024 - TOP 5

TU Expert Review for the best Online Brokers in Kenya

Anton joined Traders Union as a financial expert and analyst in 2013. He performs comprehensive internal testing of brokers as a trader. Essentially, Anton “test drives” brokers: he checks the operation of the website and user account, the speed and effectiveness of customer support team, stability of the software, deposit and withdrawal processing times, legal documents of companies and also all additional services (VPS, affiliate programs, contests, bonuses, educational programs, etc.). Based on the results of his “inspections”, he prepares expert conclusions about the operation of brokerage companies in the Forex, stock and binary option markets and also of the cryptocurrency exchanges.

His opinion as for the best Online Brokers in Kenya is posted below.

RoboForex - TU Expert Review

Over the years, this broker has shown itself to be a reliable and trusted partner. RoboForex provides clients with the best conditions: tight spreads from 0 pips, the highest execution speed, and micro-accounts with a lot of 0.01. The positive feedback from real traders about RoboForex, instant withdrawal of funds, and operational support are what impress me about this broker. The brokerage company offers quality services to both beginners and seasoned traders. Over the years of cooperation with RoboForex, the broker has not received any significant claims against it. Therefore RoboForex is quite popular among Traders Union clients. All financial issues and claims on the broker's work are resolved by the company's representatives as quickly as possible and within minimum time. RoboForex always meets its clients and partners halfway. Following the mass of positive reviews about the work of roboforex.com, Traders Union recommends this company as a trusted broker with a high trust rating.

eToro - TU Expert Review

eToro is an international brokerage company offering services all across the world. Every registered office adjusts the conditions to suit local traders to enable them to trade on beneficial conditions. The minimum deposit depends on the country of residence of a trader. In particular, the minimum deposit for residents of the US is $10 and UK is $50, Europe – $50, Israel – $10,000. The minimum deposit for overseas territories of the UK and France is $1000, for all other countries – $200. The broker provides retail clients with a negative balance protection and restrictions on opening positions with insufficient margin. The clients can also contact the Financial Ombudsman Service. Investments of traders from a number of European countries are protected by compensation funds. The leverage on eToro varies depending on the type of asset and the registered office chosen for trading. In particular, traders, who chose the office regulated by CySEC or FCA can trade indices with a leverage of 1:10-1:20, ETFs – 1:5. The company with a license of the Seychelles regulator offers a leverage of 1:100 for the most traded indices and 1:10 for non-major indices and ETFs. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk

CapTrader - TU Expert Review

CapTrader is an example of how you can build a successful brokerage company based on the Introducing Broker partnership program. The company appeared in 1997 as a partner of the globally known brand Interactive Brokers and took all the best from it – a user-friendly account interface, trading platforms, Investor’s Marketplace platform, where professionals offer their services. CapTrader offers its clients one type of trading account, which makes trading conditions equal for all. The commission limits set by the broker are worth taking notice of. The minimum commission is USD 3.75. The broker also provides low leverage for retail traders. The broker has a professional analytical instrument Trading Workstation, and 3 types of trading platforms. There is automated trading and there are no limitations on trading strategies. CapTrader is regulated under the licenses of Interactive Brokers, namely by the regulators of Ireland and the UK. The broker also holds a license in Germany. It is an important factor in terms of reliability. Therefore, CapTrader is a reliable platform with a wide set of features, targeted primarily at the professional traders.

Revolut - TU Expert Review

Revolut offers investments in shares of more than 800 American and international companies, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals. The broker is focused on independent traders and doesn't offer financial advice or client asset management, but social trading is available for beginners. The mobile app has a list of successful traders who offer connections to their trading platform to copy trades. If the client has experience in trading the stock market, he can switch his profile to public, and the results of his trading will be available to those who prefer not to trade on their own. The company guarantees the security of transactions in the app, which can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store. In addition to the fingerprint scanning feature, one-time virtual cards are available for online payments when logging into the app. These can be used to make a single transaction, after which the card details are automatically changed. The Sherlock anti-fraud system is used to warn of suspicious transactions on a customer's account. Part of the funds that are on deposit can be reserved in the "cash vault". Up to 0.65% per annum is accrued on these funds daily, and the money can be returned to the main deposit at any time. The main disadvantages of this broker are the limitation of transactions without commission on the free plan and a limited selection of financial instruments for investment.

Interactive Brokers - TU Expert Review

During its cooperation with Traders Union the Interactive Brokers investment company proved itself as a reliable partner, which faithfully fulfills its obligations to us. The broker provides clients with a wide range of services, allowing them to engage in both active trading and investments. At the same time, the broker charges a fee for an inactive account, and that's not convenient for passive investors. Despite the lack of a minimum deposit, Interactive Brokers is focused on working with professional market participants. The US and Canadian investors are the main target audiences of the company. Interactive Brokers customer support will help you resolve claims made to the company. You can find all the information about trading conditions and the specifics of various trading instruments on the broker's website. Before opening an account with this broker, we strongly recommend you to read about all trading conditions in detail, as well as reviews of other clients about cooperation with Interactive Brokers.

Are There Forex Trading Limitations in Kenya?

In Kenya, there are limitations on Forex trading, and the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the Forex market is the Central Bank of Kenya. Both residents and non-residents can buy or sell foreign exchange through an authorized dealer, but only up to an equivalent of $10,000. If they want to transact more than that, they need to provide documentation that discloses the purpose of the transaction to comply with Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has also established capital requirements for online Forex brokers, ranging from 30 to 50 million shillings, depending on whether the broker is a non-dealer or a market maker. While the CMA doesn't restrict trading of contracts for difference (CFDs), they have limited the leverage offered by licensed Forex brokers to 1:400.

Can I Trade With Internationally Regulated Brokers in Kenya?

Yes, Kenyan traders can trade with internationally regulated brokers such as those regulated by ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK), and CySEC (Cyprus), provided that the broker accepts clients from Kenya.

When selecting a broker, it's important to ensure that a reputable regulatory body regulates it. Regulated brokers must adhere to certain standards, such as maintaining sufficient capital, segregating client funds, and providing fair and transparent trading conditions. This can help to ensure that your funds are protected and that you are trading with a reputable company.

To determine whether a broker accepts clients from Kenya, you can typically check the broker's website or contact their customer support team. Some brokers may have specific account types or requirements for clients from certain countries, so checking before opening an account is important.

Should I pay taxes as a Forex trader?

If a Kenyan earns money through an offshore trading account while residing within Kenya's boundaries, the profits obtained from Forex trading are considered regular taxable income. They must be reported on their tax returns in Kenyan Shilling.

How to Buy Stocks Online in Kenya?

If you're a Kenyan investor looking to dive into the world of stocks, you might be wondering how to go about it. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right assets, broker, and trading account and enter the exciting domain of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

Figure Out Which Assets to Invest in

Before buying stocks online, you need to figure out your investment strategy and set clear financial goals. Pick the assets you want to invest in and choose those that align well with your objectives and risk tolerance. In the Kenyan market, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the various industries and sectors you will encounter. Research various companies and analyze their performance, growth potential, and competitive advantages.

Choose Your Securities Wisely

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is among the few trading houses in Africa offering a wide variety of assets such as stocks, bonds, derivatives, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). A diverse investment portfolio will offer you a better opportunity for growth while minimizing risks. Therefore, you should carefully select the financial instruments that will constitute your investment portfolio, ensuring you have a good mix.

Choose a Broker

Start by browsing the NSE's official website for a list of licensed stockbrokers and investment banks. Research each of these brokers, paying attention to their credibility, reputation, fees, and services. Ensure that you settle on a broker who offers an online trading platform that’s user-friendly, secure, and provides access to real-time market data. Read more about the best stock brokers in Nairobi.

Open a Trading Account

For you to trade securities at the NSE, you needs to open a Central Depository System (CDS) account, which is essentially a trading account. This account will enable you to buy, sell, and hold your stocks securely. Your chosen broker can help you set up your CDS account, which will require your identification documents (such as a national ID, passport, or driving license) and other personal details. It is crucial to understand different account options and go for an account that suits your investment needs and preferences.

Deposit and Start Trading

Once your CDS account is active, you'll need to fund it to start trading online. Determine the amount of capital you are willing to invest and buy your desired stocks using your broker's online platform. Study the market prices and pay attention to trends to make well-informed investment decisions.

How to Make Money Without Investment?

Making money in Forex without any investment is difficult, as you usually need to have some funds to start trading, usually from $10. However, some brokers offer bonuses to their clients to trade without investing any money.

A no-deposit bonus is a type of promotion offered by some Forex brokers to attract new clients. As the name suggests, this bonus does not require you to deposit any funds into your trading account to receive it. Instead, the broker will credit your account with money ranging from $5 to $2,000, which you can use to trade.

For instance, RoboForex offers a Welcome Bonus of 30 USD to new clients who register for a trading account. To receive this bonus, you need to complete the registration process and verify your account. After that, the bonus is automatically credited to your account, and you can use it to trade in the Forex market.