Marco Torrente, the Executive Head of Marketing and Digital at Vodacom Financial Services, shared the success story of the Kenyan super app Mpesa.
In Africa, financial services are moving into mobile platforms.
The second and final day of the Finance Magnates
Africa Summit (FMAS:24) was in full swing at the Sandton Convention Centre,
buzzing with energy and record attendance. This vibrant event highlighted the
evolution of Africa's trading industry and brought together notable brands and
professionals under one roof.
FMAS:24 is a significant event for Africa's trading
and financial sectors. This year's summit showcased the continent's potential in online
trading, fintech, crypto, digital assets, and payments. Attendees from both
business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors networked, learned, and created valuable connections.
With over a decade of experience in organizing
top-tier events, FMAS:24 offered a unique platform on the continent. The summit provided
access to world-class FX and CFD brokers, educators, forex experts, and
influencers. Whether seasoned in the financial markets or new to trading,
participants enhanced their trading and investment strategies through insights and valuable connections.
Building a Robust Trading Plan: Key Elements and Execution
During this session, Chantel Snyman, the CEO of TradeWithChantel, presented important insights on how to push toward profitability. She delved into the essential elements of a robust trading plan, empowering traders to craft a personalized strategy that works for them. The audience was taught how to develop and implement winning strategies that ensure trades are executed with precision and efficiency.
Chantel Snyman, the CEO of TradeWithChantel, presents
"Inside The Trader's Mind" by Ref Wayne, the CEO of ForexAMG
FMAS:24 highlight! The legendary forex trader and author of
The Art of Trading Refined and Top Down Analysis on the Financial Markets, Ref Wayne, was in the house.
This time, he taught traders how to develop a winning trading plan, including
goal setting, choosing strategies, and achieving success.
Ref Wayne, the CEO of ForexAMG
The Highs and Lows of the Modern Trader
In today's dynamic financial landscape, achieving financial goals requires a strategic approach. In this session, Ashley Reeve, the Trading Educator of TD Markets, and Amar Ramith, the CEO of TD Markets, guided the audience on how to balance potential returns with risk management techniques. They taught traders how to make informed decisions and safeguard capital as they navigate the exciting world of investing.
Ashley Reeve, the Trading Educator of TD Markets, and Amar Ramith, the CEO of TD Markets (left)
SuperApps: One App to Rule Them All?
Marco Torrente, the Executive Head of Marketing & Digital
at Vodacom Financial Services, mentioned: "The context of each market in Africa
is extremely important, and I will give you an example. As you know, we have a
super-app outside of South Africa called Mpesa. This was launched 17 years ago
in Kenya with a specific use case, money transfer peer-to-peer. And the reason
being, in Kenya, back in the day, there was no high penetration of branches of
the different banks. And that was an opportunity for an outsider to provide a
digital service through USSD and to empower and bring these people into the
financial system."
"If I look at today's stats, we have close to 50 million active users transacting on Mpesa every month. And when Mpesa is not transacting, we actually receive a call from the Prime Minister in Kenya because more than 50% of the GDP is actually transacted on Mpesa. And these banks now are an opportunity for the Kenyan people and the rest of Africa."
Strategies for Trading Mastery: Pitfalls and Solutions
At the Trader Zone, Elsy Rayess, the Chief Business Development Officer of FxPro, presents
This session delved into the common trading mistakes in
online trading and provided the audience with practical tools to tackle them
head-on. It catered to both new trader
and those seeking to level up their skills. Elsy Rayess is a seasoned industry
expert, currently serving as FxPro’s Chief Business Development Officer.
JP Markets Draw
All-Star Panel: Easy Tips and Hard Lessons
At the All-Star Panel, Adam Button, the Chief Currency Analyst at ForexLive, moderated an insightful panel discussion that brought together Robert
J Van Eyden, the CEO of Scope Markets South Africa, Roger Eskinazi, the
Managing Partner of Tickmill South Africa, and Rob Pletropaolo, the Co-Head of
Trading at Unum Capital.
FMAS:24 Panel Discussion
SuperApps: One App to Rule Them All?
Vinoliah Martin, the Client Executive at Microsoft, shared her insights during FMAS:24
As financial services shift more to mobile platforms, fintech innovators will closely examine the super-apps emerging in Africa. This region is notable for its extensive mobile usage despite facing significant infrastructure hurdles.
The second and final day of the Finance Magnates
Africa Summit (FMAS:24) was in full swing at the Sandton Convention Centre,
buzzing with energy and record attendance. This vibrant event highlighted the
evolution of Africa's trading industry and brought together notable brands and
professionals under one roof.
FMAS:24 is a significant event for Africa's trading
and financial sectors. This year's summit showcased the continent's potential in online
trading, fintech, crypto, digital assets, and payments. Attendees from both
business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors networked, learned, and created valuable connections.
With over a decade of experience in organizing
top-tier events, FMAS:24 offered a unique platform on the continent. The summit provided
access to world-class FX and CFD brokers, educators, forex experts, and
influencers. Whether seasoned in the financial markets or new to trading,
participants enhanced their trading and investment strategies through insights and valuable connections.
Building a Robust Trading Plan: Key Elements and Execution
During this session, Chantel Snyman, the CEO of TradeWithChantel, presented important insights on how to push toward profitability. She delved into the essential elements of a robust trading plan, empowering traders to craft a personalized strategy that works for them. The audience was taught how to develop and implement winning strategies that ensure trades are executed with precision and efficiency.
Chantel Snyman, the CEO of TradeWithChantel, presents
"Inside The Trader's Mind" by Ref Wayne, the CEO of ForexAMG
FMAS:24 highlight! The legendary forex trader and author of
The Art of Trading Refined and Top Down Analysis on the Financial Markets, Ref Wayne, was in the house.
This time, he taught traders how to develop a winning trading plan, including
goal setting, choosing strategies, and achieving success.
Ref Wayne, the CEO of ForexAMG
The Highs and Lows of the Modern Trader
In today's dynamic financial landscape, achieving financial goals requires a strategic approach. In this session, Ashley Reeve, the Trading Educator of TD Markets, and Amar Ramith, the CEO of TD Markets, guided the audience on how to balance potential returns with risk management techniques. They taught traders how to make informed decisions and safeguard capital as they navigate the exciting world of investing.
Ashley Reeve, the Trading Educator of TD Markets, and Amar Ramith, the CEO of TD Markets (left)
SuperApps: One App to Rule Them All?
Marco Torrente, the Executive Head of Marketing & Digital
at Vodacom Financial Services, mentioned: "The context of each market in Africa
is extremely important, and I will give you an example. As you know, we have a
super-app outside of South Africa called Mpesa. This was launched 17 years ago
in Kenya with a specific use case, money transfer peer-to-peer. And the reason
being, in Kenya, back in the day, there was no high penetration of branches of
the different banks. And that was an opportunity for an outsider to provide a
digital service through USSD and to empower and bring these people into the
financial system."
"If I look at today's stats, we have close to 50 million active users transacting on Mpesa every month. And when Mpesa is not transacting, we actually receive a call from the Prime Minister in Kenya because more than 50% of the GDP is actually transacted on Mpesa. And these banks now are an opportunity for the Kenyan people and the rest of Africa."
Strategies for Trading Mastery: Pitfalls and Solutions
At the Trader Zone, Elsy Rayess, the Chief Business Development Officer of FxPro, presents
This session delved into the common trading mistakes in
online trading and provided the audience with practical tools to tackle them
head-on. It catered to both new trader
and those seeking to level up their skills. Elsy Rayess is a seasoned industry
expert, currently serving as FxPro’s Chief Business Development Officer.
JP Markets Draw
All-Star Panel: Easy Tips and Hard Lessons
At the All-Star Panel, Adam Button, the Chief Currency Analyst at ForexLive, moderated an insightful panel discussion that brought together Robert
J Van Eyden, the CEO of Scope Markets South Africa, Roger Eskinazi, the
Managing Partner of Tickmill South Africa, and Rob Pletropaolo, the Co-Head of
Trading at Unum Capital.
FMAS:24 Panel Discussion
SuperApps: One App to Rule Them All?
Vinoliah Martin, the Client Executive at Microsoft, shared her insights during FMAS:24
As financial services shift more to mobile platforms, fintech innovators will closely examine the super-apps emerging in Africa. This region is notable for its extensive mobile usage despite facing significant infrastructure hurdles.
Jared Kirui is an Editor at Finance Magnates with more than five years of experience in financial journalism. He covers online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto industries with a focus on companies, regulation and compliance, executive moves, trading technology, and market analysis.
His work has been featured in other media outlets, including Benzinga, ZyCrypto, The Distributed, and The Daily Hodl.
Education:
Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance option), University of Nairobi
Chief Scientist and RIF Position Cyprus as a Globally Connected Innovation and AI Hub at the 3rd Cyprus Diaspora Forum
Featured Videos
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
The persisting price drops test the industry's commitment to crypto adoption. While on-chain innovation is making headway across market mechanics, from stablecoins to tokenization, investors remains cautious.
This session brings together market structure experts and institutional investors to explore how a prolonged bear market affects their long-term strategy, and where the opportunities lie ahead of the next cycle.
Attendees will walk away with:
First-hand account of the bear market's impact on various industry players
Understanding of what custody, connectivity, and settlement gaps still hamper growth in APAC
Insight into how client mandates and operational readiness are shaping who moves and who waits
Perspective on what institutional investors need to move toward actual digital asset capital deployment
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
This panel explores the key insights and emerging trends shaping modern trading behavior, examining how user expectations are evolving across global markets and what these shifts mean for industry participants.
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
Singapore's capital infrastructure is wider than its reputation for stability suggests.
Sovereign backing from Temasek and GIC, a growing family office network, sector-specialized venture funds, and a public market pathway through the Singapore Exchange, the city-state supports capital formation at every stage of the lifecycle.
Held in partnership with 8Circle, this session gathers practitioners across the capital stack to examine how Singapore functions as both an investment and an exit destination.
Attendees will walk away with:
Understanding of what makes SGX a credible listing pathway for high-growth companies in 2026
Insight into alternative exit channels: private secondary markets, digital marketplace exits, and strategic acquisitions
Perspective on what founders and capital allocators should be doing at each stage to preserve exit optionality
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 10 June 2026
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
Today’s Wednesday, the 10th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: Bybit’s zero-fee stock CFD push, prop trading access to SpaceX shares, and TradeStation’s European expansion into US markets.
AI Getting Real for Brokers
AI Getting Real for Brokers
AI Getting Real for Brokers
AI Getting Real for Brokers
AI Getting Real for Brokers
AI Getting Real for Brokers
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
Brokers and providers moved from the noise phase to treating AI tools as a core product question, with implications on anything from hiring priorities to acquisition strategy.
This session gathers retail brokers, platform builders, and AI tool providers to examine how LLMs change affect client trust, results, and risk.
Attendees will walk away with:
A first-hand account of where AI-driven trading tools generate real client value
Insight into how institutional adoption is raising client expectations and what brokers need to do to keep pace
Clarity on the liability question: when an AI-driven recommendation leads to a bad trade, where does responsibility
