Beyond the Hype: Building a Transparent and Reliable Brokerage in Emerging Markets
Friday,23/05/2025|11:47GMTby
Paul Margarites
Emerging markets attract innovation, but they also attract opportunism.
This article was written by Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director
Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director
Transparency in trading isn’t a marketing tool but a moral obligation. And in emerging markets, like those in Sub-Saharan Africa, where scam brokers continue to exploit regulatory gaps and client inexperience, it’s also a competitive advantage.
At Exness, transparency is embedded in our systems; it’s what our global reputation is built on. It’s backed by real-time data, licensed operations, and product features that put control in the hands of traders. In markets like Africa, this clarity matters more than ever.
Beyond branding–real transparency in action It’s easy to promise tight spreads and fast withdrawals. It’s far more challenging to be consistent with your claims and minimize the fine print.
Exness is one of the few brokers in the world that publishes extensive operational metrics on its website, including tick history. These numbers are proof for clients and regulators that we deliver what we claim. This level of visibility also builds accountability, showing how stable and reliable we are, even during market volatility.
Why transparency matters in Africa
Emerging markets attract innovation, but they also attract opportunism. The trading sector in Africa has seen a rise in unregulated brokers using aggressive tactics to target first-time traders. These firms leave clients disillusioned and damage the industry’s reputation
This is where transparency becomes a critical safeguard. African traders are savvy–they are mobile-first, data-literate, and increasingly cautious about who they trust. By making key performance data public and operating under local licenses such as our regulatory approvals from the FSCA in South Africa and the CMA in Kenya, we signal that we are accountable not just to clients, but to regulators and partners in each jurisdiction.
Tech-powers values
Incorporating transparency into our products is a technical challenge overcome by robust engineering and advanced algorithms. Instant withdrawals*, for example, are powered by a complex infrastructure that ensures clients’ requests are handled on our side within seconds.
Similarly, our pricing systems are designed to keep spreads tight and stable**, even for larger trade sizes and during periods of high volatility. This is particularly important for African traders who are often more sensitive to cost and risk. When trading costs spike unexpectedly, it can impact entire strategies.
Transparency extends to partners
Our approach to transparency also strengthens our relationship with IBs (Introducing Brokers) and affiliates. When your revenue is linked to a broker’s performance, you need to trust that what’s promised matches what’s delivered. By giving our partners full access to performance metrics and marketing analytics, we reduce friction and foster long-term collaboration.
Many partners in Africa are hard at work educating new traders, growing communities, and bridging the gap between traditional finance and online trading. They deserve a broker who matches that commitment with clarity and consistency.
The African fintech landscape is dynamic, complex, and full of opportunity, but trust will be the deciding factor in who thrives. For brokers to build a lasting relationship in Africa, transparency must go beyond mere sales speak. It must be embedded in the tech, visible in the numbers, and reinforced through licenses and local presence. At Exness, we believe that a transparent brokerage is a reliable one. And in emerging markets, reliability is what builds futures.
* At Exness, over 98% of withdrawals are processed instantly (under 1 minute). Processing times may vary depending on the chosen payment provider.
** Spreads “Tightest spreads” refer to the tightest average spreads on Exness Pro accounts for XAUUSD, based on data collected from 25 August - 7 September 2024. This comparison looks at the average spreads across commission-free accounts from several brokers.
Spreads may fluctuate and widen due to factors including market volatility, news releases, economic events, when markets open or close, and the type of instruments being traded.
This article was written by Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director
Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director
Transparency in trading isn’t a marketing tool but a moral obligation. And in emerging markets, like those in Sub-Saharan Africa, where scam brokers continue to exploit regulatory gaps and client inexperience, it’s also a competitive advantage.
At Exness, transparency is embedded in our systems; it’s what our global reputation is built on. It’s backed by real-time data, licensed operations, and product features that put control in the hands of traders. In markets like Africa, this clarity matters more than ever.
Beyond branding–real transparency in action It’s easy to promise tight spreads and fast withdrawals. It’s far more challenging to be consistent with your claims and minimize the fine print.
Exness is one of the few brokers in the world that publishes extensive operational metrics on its website, including tick history. These numbers are proof for clients and regulators that we deliver what we claim. This level of visibility also builds accountability, showing how stable and reliable we are, even during market volatility.
Why transparency matters in Africa
Emerging markets attract innovation, but they also attract opportunism. The trading sector in Africa has seen a rise in unregulated brokers using aggressive tactics to target first-time traders. These firms leave clients disillusioned and damage the industry’s reputation
This is where transparency becomes a critical safeguard. African traders are savvy–they are mobile-first, data-literate, and increasingly cautious about who they trust. By making key performance data public and operating under local licenses such as our regulatory approvals from the FSCA in South Africa and the CMA in Kenya, we signal that we are accountable not just to clients, but to regulators and partners in each jurisdiction.
Tech-powers values
Incorporating transparency into our products is a technical challenge overcome by robust engineering and advanced algorithms. Instant withdrawals*, for example, are powered by a complex infrastructure that ensures clients’ requests are handled on our side within seconds.
Similarly, our pricing systems are designed to keep spreads tight and stable**, even for larger trade sizes and during periods of high volatility. This is particularly important for African traders who are often more sensitive to cost and risk. When trading costs spike unexpectedly, it can impact entire strategies.
Transparency extends to partners
Our approach to transparency also strengthens our relationship with IBs (Introducing Brokers) and affiliates. When your revenue is linked to a broker’s performance, you need to trust that what’s promised matches what’s delivered. By giving our partners full access to performance metrics and marketing analytics, we reduce friction and foster long-term collaboration.
Many partners in Africa are hard at work educating new traders, growing communities, and bridging the gap between traditional finance and online trading. They deserve a broker who matches that commitment with clarity and consistency.
The African fintech landscape is dynamic, complex, and full of opportunity, but trust will be the deciding factor in who thrives. For brokers to build a lasting relationship in Africa, transparency must go beyond mere sales speak. It must be embedded in the tech, visible in the numbers, and reinforced through licenses and local presence. At Exness, we believe that a transparent brokerage is a reliable one. And in emerging markets, reliability is what builds futures.
* At Exness, over 98% of withdrawals are processed instantly (under 1 minute). Processing times may vary depending on the chosen payment provider.
** Spreads “Tightest spreads” refer to the tightest average spreads on Exness Pro accounts for XAUUSD, based on data collected from 25 August - 7 September 2024. This comparison looks at the average spreads across commission-free accounts from several brokers.
Spreads may fluctuate and widen due to factors including market volatility, news releases, economic events, when markets open or close, and the type of instruments being traded.
SMX's 1900% Surge Since November Is Not a Momentum Trade; It's Based on Transformative and Deliverable Techology
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
