Economy
Risks of Forex Trading in Africa
Foreign exchange, or forex, the market is one of the most exciting and potentially lucrative markets in the world. With a daily turnover of trillions of dollars, it offers investors from all over the world an opportunity to make huge profits. However, for those looking to invest in Africa’s forex market, there are some risks that must be considered before taking the plunge.
This article will discuss what these risks are and how they can be managed so that you can make informed decisions about investing in African forex trading. We will also look at why this particular market has become increasingly attractive to those looking for high returns on their investments and why it is important for investors to understand both the potential rewards and dangers associated with this type of investment.
Forex Regulation in Nigeria
Many forex traders in Africa are concerned about the lack of regulation for forex trading in some countries and therefore answering the question of whether is forex regulated in Nigeria is a major factor in deciding whether to embark on trading activities. Fortunately, the Nigerian government has enacted laws and regulations that protect investors from fraud and other illegal activities.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is responsible for overseeing forex trading in Nigeria and ensuring that all transactions are conducted in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Nigerian forex traders must register with the CBN as well as acquire a valid license to trade legally within the Nigerian market.
Volatility in African Markets
One of the main risks associated with forex trading in Africa is the high level of volatility in the markets. This is due to a variety of factors such as political instability, currency devaluation, and low liquidity levels. As with any investment, there is always the potential for losses when trading in foreign currencies, especially in countries where the economic landscape can change quickly.
The Risks of Forex Trading in Africa
Difficult to Predict
One of the biggest risks associated with forex trading in Africa is that due to its relative economic instability, it can be difficult to make accurate predictions about currency movements. This means there is a risk that investors could suffer significant losses if they open long or short positions at the wrong time. It is therefore important for traders to use reliable data and analysis tools to help them make informed decisions about when to open and close positions.
Potential for Fraud or Scams
Another key risk that comes with trading in Africa is the potential for fraud or scams. As with any investment, it is important that you do your research before investing in any forex market in Africa. This means checking out the reputation of brokers and ensuring that they are reliable and trustworthy. You should also make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of any trading accounts you open, as well as check for any additional fees or charges.
Can Be Highly Risky
Finally, it is important to remember that forex trading can be highly risky and there is no guarantee of success. Investing in this type of market requires a significant level of knowledge and experience, so it is important to ensure that you understand the risks associated with this type of trading before committing any funds. This will help ensure that your investments are safe and secure, as well as help mitigate the potential losses that can result from taking too much risk in Africa’s forex market.
Conclusion
By understanding the risks associated with forex trading in Africa and taking steps to minimize them, you can ensure that your investments are secure. With a little knowledge and experience, you can make smart decisions about when to enter and exit positions, which will help to maximize your potential profits while minimizing risk.
As always, it is important to remember that no investment is without risk and it pays to be cautious when trading in volatile markets. Ultimately, forex trading can be a great opportunity for investors to earn profits, but it is important to stay informed of the risks and understand the regulations that apply.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a mixed outcome on Wednesday, January 15 after it welcome a new entrant.
Paintcom Investment Nigeria Plc joined the OTC securities exchange yesterday with shares admitted at a unit price of N10.72 and a market capitalisation of N8.5 billion.
However, when trading activities closed for the session, the alternative stock exchange went down by 0.10 per cent, with the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) depreciating by 3.03 points to 3,093.16 points from the 3,096.19 points recorded in the previous session.
But the value of the trading platform increased by 0.7 per cent or N7.54 billion to settle at N1.068 trillion compared with the preceding day’s N1.061 trillion.
The volume of securities traded in the session went down by 83.2 per cent to 666,494 units from the 3.97 million units recorded in the preceding session, while the value of shares traded during the session jumped by 98.2 per cent to N16.5 million from N8.3 million, with the number of deals going down by 20 per cent to 20 deals from 25 deals.
Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc gained 3 Kobo to close at 30 Kobo per share versus 27 Kobo per share, Mixta Real Estate Plc increased by 23 Kobo to N2.58 per unit from N2.35 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc added N1.15 to settle at N23.20 per share, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N22.15 per share.
Further, Afriland Properties Plc grew by 75 Kobo to N16.25 per unit from N15.50 per unit and Geo-Fluids Plc expanded by 13 Kobo to N4.79 per share from N4.66 per share.
On the flip side, 11 Plc fell by N27.74 to close at N253.10 per unit compared with the previous session’s N280.84 per unit and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc lost 55 Kobo to finish at N38.95 per share versus N39.50 per share.
FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 3.4 million units worth N134.9 million, followed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 8.9 million units valued at N43.0 million, and Afriland Properties Plc with 690,825 sold for N11.1 million.
IGI Plc closed the day as the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 23.5 million units sold for N5.3 million, trailed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 8.9 million units valued at N43.0 million, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 3.4 million units worth N134.9 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira depreciated on the American currency in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Wednesday, January 15 by 0.09 per cent or N1.45 to close at N1,551.10/$1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,549.65/$1.
It was the fourth straight session the local currency was losing value on the greenback in the official forex market as the deadline to end the access of Bureaux De Change (BDCs) to the official trading platform nears.
Also, Nigeria’s inflation neared a 29-year high as it rose for the fourth straight month to 34.80 per cent in December 2024 spurred by high festive activities.
On the British currency, which is the Pound Sterling, the domestic currency depreciated by N24.79 to wrap the session at N1,904.43/£1 versus the previous day’s N1,879.64/£1 and against the Euro, it weakened by N14.74 to sell for N1,600.79 per Euro versus N1,586.05/€1.
At the parallel market, the Nigerian Naira traded flat against the US Dollar yesterday at N1,650/$1, according to data obtained by Business Post.
In the cryptocurrency market, most of the tokens gained as the anticipation of Mr Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president is building bullish sentiment for the market, which was also encouraged by a highly anticipated CPI inflation data report in the US.
Litecoin (LTC) grew by 17.7 per cent to quote at $119.82, Ripple (XRP) expanded by 9.0 per cent to a six-year high of $3.10, Solana (SOL) appreciated by 7.2 per cent to trade at $202.81, Dogecoin (DOGE) rose by 5.3 per cent to finish at $0.3789, Ethereum (ETH) increased its value by 4.7 per cent to end at $3,376.28, and Cardano jumped by 3.3 per cent to settle at $1.06, Bitcoin (BTC) gained 2.8 per cent to close at $99,707.22, and Binance Coin (BNB) improved by 1.6 per cent to trade at $710.31, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 each.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The oil market rose more than 2 per cent on Wednesday, supported by a large draw in US crude stockpiles and potential supply disruptions caused by new US sanctions on Russia.
Brent crude futures appreciated by $2.11 or 2.64 per cent to $82.03 a barrel and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude grew by $2.54 or 3.28 per cent to close at $80.04 a barrel.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an inventory dip of 2 million barrels for the second week of the year.
The change estimated by the EIA compared with a modest draw of around 1 million barrels for the previous week, which also saw sizable fuel inventories build that dragged oil prices lower.
For the week to January 10, the EIA estimated an inventory build of 5.9 million in gasoline, with production averaging 9.3 million barrels daily. This compared with a build of as much as 6.3 million barrels for the previous week when production averaged 8.9 million barrels daily. That build was the second sizable weekly one after 2024 ended with a build of 7.7 million barrels in gasoline inventories.
The latest round of US sanctions on Russian oil could disrupt Russian oil supply and distribution significantly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly oil market report.
The Paris-based agency said that the sanctions on Iran and Russia cover entities that handled more than a third of Russian and Iranian crude exports in 2024, adding that the market will be in surplus this year as supply growth led by countries outside the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, OPEC+ exceeds subdued expansion in world demand.
This aligns with an earlier projection by the EIA which assumes that OPEC+ would roll back its production cuts and that non-OPEC production would continue leaping forward.
Limiting the gains was fresh developments in the Middle East as Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
OPEC in its monthly oil report on Wednesday forecast stronger demand growth than the IEA of 1.45 million barrels per day this year and, in its first look at 2026, predicted a similar expansion of 1.43 million barrels per day next year.
OPEC expects global oil demand to rise by 1.43 million barrels per day in 2026, maintaining a similar growth rate to 2025.
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