Finding the best Forex brokers in Nigeria is challenging, especially following the boom-and-bust cycle between 2004 and 2010.
Our list of Forex brokers in Nigeria will help new traders get started with a trustworthy partner.
- Exness, Tight spreads + leverage up to 1:2000.
- Octa, A commission-free broker with a proprietary copy trading service.
- FXTM, Best all-around broker with high floating leverage and fast execution.
- AvaTrade, Highly regulated, choice of fixed or floating spreads.
- FP Markets, ECN trading with leverage up to 1:500.
Best Nigeria Brokers Comparison
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Regulators | CMA, CySEC, FCA, FSA, FSC Belize, FSC Mauritius, FSCA | CySEC, FSCA, MWALI International Services Authority | CMA, FCA, FSC Mauritius, FSCA | ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID | ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA |
Year Established | 2008 | 2011 | 2011 | 2006 | 2005 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | Market Maker | ECN/STP, Market Maker | Market Maker | ECN/STP |
Minimum Deposit | |||||
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.6 pips | 0.9 pips | 0.1 pips | 0.9 pips | 1.2 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 0.7 pips | 1.3 pips | 0.2 pips | 1.5 pips | 1.4 pips |
Average Trading Cost Gold | 11.3 pips | $0.30 | $0.18 | $0.29 | $0.16 |
Trading Platform(s) | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform | Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Web-based+ | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Proprietary platform, Web-based |
Islamic Account | |||||
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | ||||
| Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website |
The Most Trusted Trading Platforms in Nigeria
Exness
In Summary Tight spreads + leverage up to 1:2000Exness offers swap-free trading on many assets, making it one of the best Forex brokers in Nigeria. Traders can benefit from ultra-low commission-based trading fees, and a cutting-edge trading infrastructure features $4+ trillion in monthly trading volumes from 700,000+ active traders. Exness offers trading signals by Trading Central and market news by FX Street, MT4/MT5, its web-based Exness Terminal, and an in-house copy trading service.
As a Hong Kong-based Financial Commission member, traders get a compensation fund covering up to €20,000 per claim. Exness publishes transparent financial reports reviewed by Big Four Accountancy Deloitte and features a well-regulated trading environment.
Pros & Cons
- Instant withdrawals, based on the payment system, from a trusted broker with numerous payment methods
- Multi-regulated broker
- 24/7 multi-lingual customer service
- No education for beginners
Octa
In Summary A commission-free broker with a proprietary copy trading serviceOcta offers swap-free trading on many liquid assets, and its commission-free trading environment begins with 0.6 pips or $6.00 per 1.0 standard round. Active traders can lower costs through the four-tier Status program. Therefore, I rank Octa as one of the best Forex brokers in Nigeria. It also maintains a high-paying affiliate program, paying up to $12 per lot.
Besides the algorithmic-enabled MT4/MT5, Octa deploys its web-based OctaTrader and mobile app. It is also an excellent choice for copy traders. Traders get an in-house copy trading service and a dedicated mobile copy trading app with a trading community exceeding 40M accounts.
Pros & Cons
- Quick withdrawals and deposits
- 0% commission and no overnight charges
- Space with personalised trading ideas
- Customer Support 24/7
- Mobile copy trading services available only for Android
FXTM
In Summary Best all-around broker with high floating leverage and fast executionFXTM offers traders one of the best overall trading environments. It is also the winner of a Best Education Provider 2020 award. Given its support for 47 payment providers, including for the Nigerian Naira, FXTM is one of the leading Forex brokers for emerging and frontier markets. It caters to more than 2,000,000 traders and its corporate owner, Exinity Group, also owns Alpari. The maximum leverage of 1:2000 adds to the trading edge at FXTM, which remains one of the most competitive Forex brokers in Nigeria and a leading choice for successful Forex traders in Nigeria.
Pros & Cons
- Excellent commission-based Forex pricing environment and transparency
- Upgraded MT4/MT5 trading platforms plus proprietary mobile trading app
- Quality market research and educational content for beginner traders
- A highly regulated broker with a tier-1 license
- Limited choice of commodities
AvaTrade
In Summary Highly regulated, choice of fixed or floating spreadsForex traders in Nigeria have access to one of the most in-depth educational offerings among all online brokers at AvaTrade. SharpTrader, the trading academy AvaTrade spun out from its brokerage unit, features more than 40 lessons and 200 videos. It is also one of the best-regulated brokers with oversight by seven regulators, including the Bank of Ireland. Nigerian traders should ensure they open an account with either the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) or the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) for the most competitive trading environment. The minimum deposit of $100 is low enough for most retail traders to open an account with AvaTrade.
Pros & Cons
- High quality educational offering via AvaAcademy
- Excellent choice of trading platforms catering to various trading needs
- Broad asset selection and cross-asset diversification opportunities
- Well-regulated and trusted broker with oversight from a central bank
- Trading costs competitive but nothing special
FP Markets
In Summary ECN trading with leverage up to 1:500I rate FP Markets among the best Forex brokers in Nigeria due to its copy trading environment, one of the most popular strategies in Nigeria. Besides embedded MT4/MT5/cTrader copy trading, traders get the proprietary FP Markets solution, fee-based Signal Start, and the well-known Myfxbook Autotrade service. Another benefit is the competitive, commission-based trading fees featuring raw spreads from 0.0 pips for a commission of $6.00 per 1.0 standard round lot.
FP Markets upgrades the MT4/MT5 platforms with 12 plugins, Trading Central and Autochartist. Licensed account managers get MAM/PAMM accounts for traditional account management and a well-balanced asset selection.
Pros & Cons
- Choice of trading platforms and auxiliary trading tools
- Very competitive cost structure and excellent asset selection
- Low minimum deposit requirement and leverage of up to 1:500
- Well-regulated and trustworthy
- Availability of Iress geographically restricted
Is Forex Trading Legal in Nigeria?
The demand of Forex traders in Nigeria attracted a wave of Ponzi schemes. Confidence in the Forex market depleted as retail losses mounted. Over the past decade, well-respected international Forex brokers rebuilt trust in the most liquid financial market. Education remains key to protect new traders from frauds and scams. One of the most daunting questions for many is: how to start Forex trading in Nigeria? Forex brokers in Nigeria continue to offer educational resources, and we have researched hundreds of brokers to find the best Forex brokers in Nigeria.
Forex trading in Nigeria continues to expand, driven by millennial traders who wish to diversify their income streams. The Nigerian economy remains dependent on oil exports, the primary source of Forex income for the government. Due to the price volatility of oil, the domestic currency market is equally volatile. Therefore, the government tasked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to regulate foreign exchange within its borders. Numerous laws and policies exist, granting the CBN powers to regulate the Nigerian Forex market.
Here is a summary of how the Forex market evolved in Nigeria over the past 35 years:
- 1986 - Introduction of the second-tier Forex market (SFEM)
- 1987 - Establishment of the unified official Forex market
- 1995 - Creation of the autonomous Forex market (AFEM)
- 1999 - Availability of the inter-bank Forex market (IFEM)
Here is an overview of some of the most defining laws and policies granting the CBN regulatory powers:
- The Central Bank of Nigeria Act
- The Exchange Control Act of 1962
- Bureau de Change 1989
- Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2007
- The Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
- The Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act
While the above cater primarily to professional and offline Forex trading in Nigeria, the rules and regulations also apply to online trading. The Association of Online Forex Trading Agents in Nigeria, recognized by the Nigerian government, works with the CBN to enhance a competitive Forex trading environment. It shows the commitment to avoid the previous boom-and-bust cycle and maintains a financially stable Forex trading environment in Nigeria.
Retail Forex trading in Nigeria is legal provided traders use their capital to trade for their benefit. Nigerian Forex traders must also pay taxes on their profits, and it is best to consult a legal professional for assistance. It follows similar regulations in most countries. Nigerians who wish to raise money from third parties and trade on their behalf require a license. Otherwise, it is illegal. One way to engage in retail account management without a license is via PAMM accounts granted by international brokers. Social trading platforms offer an additional solution for Nigerian Forex traders to earn passive income or for Nigerian followers to place capital with strategy providers. All well-established brokers accept clients from Nigeria, and there are no domestic restrictions for Nigerians to trade with an offshore broker, where the best trading conditions await.
How to Choose a Forex Broker in Nigeria
One of the often-overlooked trading tools separating those who start Forex trading from successful Forex traders in Nigeria is their Forex Broker. New traders often feel overwhelmed by the massive information and victim to marketing gimmicks by brokers. That is why we have done the hard work for you and conducted in-depth research on hundreds of Forex brokers. Our list of Forex brokers in Nigeria will ensure access to a competitive product and services portfolio with an excellent education section. It will help you get started with a reliable broker from where you can grow in a safe and trustworthy trading environment.
Here is a checklist on how to choose a Forex broker:
- Regulation - It is best to avoid unregulated brokers. Profitable Forex traders require a secure trading environment from a business-friendly regulator. It will provide the appropriate mix to grow as a trader. Not all regulators are suitable, but some of the most competitive ones include the ASIC, the FSCA, the BVIFSA, the FSC, the IFSC, the DFSA, and the CIMA.
- User Reviews - While they may provide some insight, I recommend avoiding them. Most are from traders who failed to read the terms and conditions, accepted bonuses, and violated the rules. Brokers also have their staff post fake positive reviews for them and negatives ones for competitors. Some brokers hire third parties to write on their behalf.
- Trading Platforms - The best choices remain an upgraded MT4 trading platform or a proprietary alternative that offers competitive trading tools. The MT4 fully supports automated trading solutions, but traders must ensure their broker offers third-party upgrades to gain an edge.
- Trading Fees - They will have the most visible impact on any trading strategy. I recommend an ECN account with minimum spreads from 0.0 pips to 0.1 pips and a commission of no more than $7 per round lot for active traders. I also suggest trading with a broker offering a volume-based cashback program, which will lower the final trading costs. Less active traders can start in a commission-free account, but the minimum mark-up on currency pairs should not exceed 0.7 pips.
- Customer Support - Most trustworthy brokers will explain their products and services transparently. It reduces the need for customer service to emergencies. Traders should look for brokers with a 24/5 multilingual customer support team, a phone number, and live chat. Both will allow traders to get in touch without delay should the need arise.
- Risk Management - Well-regulated brokers comply with strict financial capital requirements, grant traders negative balance protection, and an automatic stop-out level should the portfolio breach a critical balance. Traders must also deploy risk management, and brokers offer tools for it.
- Traded Currencies - Forex traders should look for brokers offering above 55 currency pairs to gain adequate exposure, diversify their portfolios, and find sufficient trading opportunities.
How Much Do I Need to Start Trading Forex in Nigeria?
There are some Forex and CFD brokerages which require no minimum deposit and accept Nigerian residents as customers, so in theory at least, you can trade Forex in Nigeria with as little as $1. The problem is that due to issues of leverage and currency exchange with most Forex brokers not accepting deposits directly in Nigerian Naira, it is impractical to trade Forex with much less than $100 or its equivalent. Even $100 can be problematic due to trade size and leverage issues, so it is certainly true that something close to $500 will work better.
One Forex broker with expertise in serving Nigerian resident clients is FXTM, which, unusually for a major international Forex brokerage, has a physical presence in Nigeria. FXTM requires a minimum deposit from Nigerian residents of ₦80,000.
How Can I Invest in Forex in Nigeria?
Forex trading in Nigeria is a straightforward process, but beginner traders must start by spending adequate time educating themselves.
Here is what Nigerian Forex traders should do:
- Scams and fraud across Nigeria remain widespread, making trading with a trustworthy, regulated broker a necessary first step.
- Evaluating the pricing environment remains the most crucial step, as it directly impacts performance, and trading costs for major currency pairs should range between $4.00 and $8.00 per 1.0 standard lot
- The trading platform used should offer a cutting-edge infrastructure, support algorithmic trading, and preferably social trading from mobile apps, which remains widely popular among the young, tech-savvy Nigerian trader base, where MT4, cTrader, and propriety solutions lead the market.
- Low deposit requirements from modern online payment processors will assist flexible portfolio building strategies, while cryptocurrency deposits are a bonus.
- Forex brokers offering leverage with negative balance protection can provide traders with a distinct edge.
- Opening and funding the trading account will grant Nigerian Forex traders access to the Forex market.
Can I Buy Nigerian Stocks Online?
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) lists 168 companies, and Nigerian traders can buy stocks online via 98 registered local stockbrokers.
Here is how Nigerian traders can buy stocks online:
- Research the 98 registered stockbrokers and compare trading costs, which can have a big impact over long-term profitability in stock dealing.
- Given the limited number of listed equities on the NSE, traders should evaluate the international offering of each broker for diversification, especially the availability of ETFs.
- Each broker will register investors and traders with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), an electronic database recording Nigerian equity ownership, which is a mandatory requirement in Nigeria
- Opening the account, passing verification, and funding the account completes the set-up, and Nigerian investors and traders can now buy Nigerian stocks online with a broker offering trading in Nigerian stocks.
- International traders seeking access to Nigerian stocks should consider using ETFs, which can provide the most efficient overall exposure with balanced risk.
Where Can I Learn to Trade Forex in Nigeria?
There are several institutions in Nigeria which claim to be able to train aspiring Forex traders for trading success and profit, in return for a fee covering the provision of this apparent education.
If you are looking for a place Although a few of these institutions may be sincere in their intentions, and the attempts of aspiring traders to invest in a proper trading education laudable, the fact remains that paying for Forex training in Nigeria is not recommended. Simply put, you can find everything you need to know to become a successful and profitable Forex trader for free on the internet.
Aspiring Nigerian Forex traders will see a better return from time spent reading through this site and searching through google for good material than they will see from investing in Nigerian Forex educators.
When you do find material on Forex trading strategies, ask yourself whether any supporting historical data is shown to support the claims made. If not, it is probably because whoever wrote the material has no idea whether the strategies have worked well or not, so beware.
Best Time to Trade Forex in Nigeria
One advantage that can be enjoyed for free by everyone trading Forex in Nigeria is the time zone. Nigeria is one hour ahead of London, the global center of Forex markets.
The best time to trade Forex is the time during which there is the most volume and liquidity in the market. Studies have shown that the highest volume and liquidity in the Forex market occurs during the overlap between the London and New York sessions, with both remaining relatively high until New York closes for business at the end of its day. Happily, this means that the best time to trade Forex is between 2pm and 10pm Nigerian time. This is convenient for most Nigerian Forex traders, as it means it will be easy for most to be awake during this period, and most of this time is after normal working hours, meaning that Nigerians do not have to give up their normal day jobs to day trade Forex successfully during peak market hours.
Advantages & Risks of Forex Trading in Nigeria
Advantages:
· Accessibility: allows traders in Nigeria to access global financial markets.
· Leverage: Forex traders have access to leverage via margin trading, allowing them to increase their potential profits.
· Potential for Fast Returns: Forex trading can offer fast returns for traders due to the market’s deep liquidity.
· Easier to Short Sell: short selling with forex is easier compared to the stock and commodities markets.
· Liquidity: The forex market is the largest market globally in terms of the trading volume. This means that there is almost always liquidity available for trading, especially for the major currencies.
· Low Fees and Commissions
· Availability of Automated Trading
Risks:
· Leverage: while leverage amplifies the profit of winning trades, it also amplifies losses, so it can be a double-edged sword.
· Not Available 24/7: Unlike the cryptocurrency market, forex trading is only accessible at a good price on weekdays.
Methodology
We reviewed over 100 brokers based on eleven criteria. Each research consists of over 2,000 words and lasted more than ten hours. Over 100 brokers were reviewed in-depth and from a trader's perspective, ignoring the marketing tactics deployed by some to confuse retail traders. Therefore, we sourced the list of our best copy trading platforms from more than 200,000 words of dedicated research compiled over 1,000 hours, ensuring the most comprehensive approach to identify the best Forex brokers in Nigeria.
The eleven criteria used in our research consist of:
- Regulation and Security
- Trading Costs
- Asset Selection
- Account Types
- Trading Platforms
- Unique Features
- Research and Education
- Customer Support
- Bonuses and Promotions
- Account Opening Process
- Deposits & Withdrawals
Conclusion
Nigeria is home to the third-largest youth population, and with more than 186 million inhabitants, it is the most populous African country and the seventh in the world. Nigeria is also the largest economy measured by GDP in Africa and the twentieth-largest globally. Its tech-savvy young generation represents an enormous growth market for international brokers, which remains untapped. Nigeria is a member of the MINT group and the Next Eleven emerging economies. Forex trading in Nigeria presents opportunities for all market participants amid ideal conditions. With estimated daily trading volumes between ₦300-₦450 million, Nigeria can grow into a regional trading powerhouse and the most significant African Forex market.
Forex trading in Nigeria offers the fast-growing population in the seventh most populous country an unparalleled opportunity for prosperity. Nigerian Forex traders can add an active, passive, or combo revenue stream from the Forex market, the most liquid one globally. Given the size of its youth population, the third biggest among all countries, and the untapped market potential, Nigeria is ripe with opportunities for brokers, traders, and affiliates. It can become the trading hub for the African continent. To accomplish this, numerous trustworthy brokers and extensive education must flow into Nigeria. We have identified some of the best Forex brokers in Nigeria so that new traders can begin their journey with a reliable partner.
Nigerian Forex traders must understand that it requires time to learn how to trade. Patience and discipline remain two of the most defining attributes. Another essential tool is capital. Countless marketing campaigns exist, many sponsored by less trustworthy brokers, promising excessive returns from small investments over a short period. They try to lure new traders into making deposits, often resulting in total loss, scams, or fraud. Forex traders must avoid them, no matter how attractive and well-marketed they appear. They invited the Nigerian boom-and-bust cycle between 2004 and 2010, which eroded confidence in the Forex market. Therefore, opening an account with a regulated and trustworthy broker, as identified by our research, and taking your time to learn how to trade can position new traders in becoming successful Forex traders in Nigeria. All brokers on our list of Forex brokers in Nigeria provide excellent education, competitive trading tools, and an overall superb product and services portfolio.
