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.
Finance Magnates 2025 Awards Return to Cyprus for a Night of Industry Recognition
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official