Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria

While forex trading is perfectly legal in Nigeria, we’re still working on setting up local regulations. That’s right, we’re in the wild west phase of forex trading, which means you need to be extra cautious when choosing a forex broker.

But don’t let that scare you off. There’s a simple solution to ensure you’re trading safely and securely. All you need to do is choose a broker that’s regulated by one of the top international regulatory bodies. I’m talking about the big regulatory authorities like the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

These organizations are like the sheriffs of the forex world. They keep the brokers in check, ensuring they play by the rules and treat traders fairly. By choosing a forex broker regulated by these bodies, you’re putting a safety net under your trading journey.

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “But how do I find these forex brokers in Nigeria?”

Well, that’s where I come in. I’ve done the legwork and compiled a list of top-notch, regulated forex brokers perfect for Nigerian traders. So, why not take a look? Trust me, it’s worth your time. After all, a smart trader is a successful trader. Let’s navigate this exciting world of forex trading together, safely and profitably.

These are the top 10 best forex brokers in Nigeria right now:

Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria

Throughout this article, we will explore the top forex brokers that are well-suited for Nigerian traders. We will compare their fees, platforms, educational resources, and more. Whether you are a beginner looking to get started or a seasoned trader seeking a new broker, you’ll discover the ideal brokerages that offer:

  • Competitive spreads, commissions, and non-trading fees
  • A variety of currency pairs and CFDs to trade
  • Top-rated trading platforms and mobile apps
  • Helpful market research tools and educational materials
  • Strong customer service and support
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Exness Highlights
💰 Minimum Deposit$10
📱 Accepts Mobile MoneyYes
⚖️ RegulationsCMA, CySEC, FCA
🔥 Maximum Leverage2000:1
💵 Trading CostUSD 7 per lot
🖥️ Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5

Exness holds regulatory licenses from several top-tier authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Europe. These regulations require Exness to adhere to strict standards regarding fund segregation, financial reporting, and fair trading practices.

Forex traders in Nigeria should feel confident knowing Exness is a regulated broker focused on transparency and security. Exness keeps client funds in segregated accounts at top banks, provides negative balance protection, and utilizes SSL encryption technology.

Competitive Trading Conditions: Exness offers some of the most competitive trading conditions in the industry, making it cost-effective for Nigerian traders. Spreads start from as low as 0 pips on certain accounts, and no commissions are charged on standard accounts.

The broker also provides high leverage up to 1:2000, allowing traders to control larger positions with less capital.
Multiple Trading Platforms: Exness grants access to the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platforms. These platforms are renowned for their advanced charting capabilities, extensive technical indicators, and order execution tools.

In addition, Exness offers mobile trading apps for Android and iOS devices, enabling Nigerian traders to easily manage their accounts on-the-go.
Local Deposit & Withdrawal Methods: Exness supports various payment methods for Nigerian clients to deposit and withdraw funds conveniently. Options include mobile money payments, local bank wire transfers, debit/credit cards, and online payment systems like Neteller, Perfect Money, and Skrill.
Exness Pros
Exness Cons
Editor Rating
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XM Forex Overview
💰 Min Deposit$5
📗 RegulationsASIC, CySEC,
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, XM App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

XM has established itself as a leading player in the forex market, offering a blend of top-notch services that cater to both beginners and experienced traders.

One of the most critical aspects to consider when choosing a forex broker is regulation and safety. XM is regulated by several international bodies, including the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize. This multi-regulation ensures that XM adheres to strict standards of operation, providing you with a safe and secure trading environment.

Let’s delve into more reasons why XM stands out among the best forex brokers in Nigeria.

Trading Conditions: XM offers tight spreads, fast execution, and high leverage up to 1:888. This means you can start trading with a small amount of capital and potentially earn significant profits.

XM also provides a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, giving you the flexibility to diversify your trading portfolio.
Multiple Trading Platforms: When it comes to trading platforms, XM offers both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular and widely used platforms in the forex industry. These platforms are known for their user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and automated trading capabilities. Whether you're trading on your desktop, mobile, or tablet, XM ensures a seamless trading experience.
Account Types: XM understands that every trader has unique needs and preferences. That's why they offer a variety of account types, including Micro, Standard, and XM Zero accounts. Each account type comes with its own set of features and benefits, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your trading style and strategies.
XM Pros
XM Cons
Editor Rating
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HF Markets Forex Overview
💰 Min Deposit$5
📗 RegulationsASIC, CySEC,
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, HFM App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

HF Markets (formerly HotForex) is one of the best forex brokers in Nigeria due to its comprehensive offerings and commitment to providing a superior trading experience.

Founded in 2010, HF Markets has grown to become a leading player in the forex industry, and for good reasons. It’s not just about their longevity in the market; it‘s about their commitment to providing a top-notch trading experience.

HF Markets is a fully regulated forex broker with licenses from some of the most reputable regulatory bodies worldwide, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This means that they adhere to strict regulatory standards, ensuring your funds are safe and secure.

Trading Conditions: HF Markets offers competitive spreads starting from 0.1 pips. They also provide a high leverage of up to 1:1000, which can be a double-edged sword. While it can magnify your profits, it can also amplify your losses. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the risks involved and trade responsibly.
Multiple Trading Platforms: HF Markets offers a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. These platforms are renowned for their user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and automated trading capabilities.
Account Types: HF Markets offers a range of account types to suit different trading styles and levels of experience. These include Micro, Premium, and Zero Spread.

Each account type comes with its own set of features and benefits, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your trading needs.
HF Markets Pros
HF Markets Cons
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IC Markets Overview
🏢 Broker NameIC Markets
🗓️ Year Founded2007
💰 Minimum Deposit$200
📱 Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader
⚖️ RegulationsASIC, FCA, FSA

As an ECN broker, IC Markets offers a unique blend of features that make it a top choice for both beginner and experienced forex traders in Nigeria. Established in 2007, IC Markets has built a strong reputation for offering competitive trading conditions, advanced trading platforms, and excellent customer support. 

With 20+ years of operations, IC Markets has built a strong reputation:

  • Over 200,000 Clients – IC Markets provides trading services to over 200,000 clients globally, including Nigerians.
  • Industry Awards – IC Markets has won 40+ industry awards demonstrating its high standards and positive reputation.
  • Client Satisfaction – IC Markets maintains high client satisfaction with its cutting-edge trading technology, excellent customer service, and transparency.

The newly added IC Social mobile app complements IC Markets’ variety of social copy trading apps. This allows traders to learn from and copy the trades of successful traders, which can be a great way to improve one’s trading skills.

Trading Conditions: IC Markets offers low forex fees and has no inactivity or withdrawal fees. The broker also offers a variety of social copy-trading platforms and platform plugins, and their research and educational offerings have recently improved, becoming more competitive with industry peers.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: IC Markets offers several trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. The MetaTrader platform used by IC Markets has its limitations in design and functionality but will be familiar to many forex traders.

The cTrader platform, on the other hand, is designed for high speed of execution and offers advanced features such as real-time forex and CFD quotes, market leading spreads and low commissions, and one-click trading.
⚖️ Account Types: IC Markets offers two types of accounts: Standard and Raw Spread. The Standard account does not charge a commission but instead applies a spread mark up of 1 pip above the Raw inter-bank prices received from liquidity providers.

The Raw Spread account shows the raw inter-bank spread received from liquidity providers, with a commission charge of $7 per standard lot round turn.
IC Markets Pros
IC Markets Cons
Editor Rating
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FBS Forex Broker Overview
🏦  Min. DepositUSD 5
🛡️  Regulated ByCySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC
💵  Trading Cost 
USD 7
⚖️  Max. Leverage3000:1
💹  Copy Trading
🖥️  PlatformsMT4, MT5
💱  Instruments 
Cryptocurrencies, Energies, Stock CFDs, Forex, Indices, Metals

 In the world of Forex trading, one name that stands out for Nigerian clients is FBS. This broker has carved a niche for itself in the competitive Forex market and for good reasons.

First and foremost, you want to ensure that the broker you’re dealing with is legitimate and safe. FBS ticks this box impressively.

☑️ FBS is registered, regulated, and licensed by several reputable agencies, including the Financial Services Commission of Belize, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. This means that your funds are safe and protected against fraud. FBS also adheres to the European Union’s 4th Anti-money Laundering law, one of the toughest laws in Europe, ensuring further security for its clients

FBS also employs advanced security measures to protect clients’ funds and personal information. These include segregated accounts, where clients’ funds are kept separate from the company’s operational funds. This means that even in the unlikely event of the company’s insolvency, your funds are safe.

Trading Conditions: FBS offers competitive spreads, starting from 0.2 pips, and high leverage of up to 1:3000, which is one of the highest in the industry. This means you can potentially earn significant profits even with a small initial deposit.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: FBS offers robust and user-friendly trading platforms that cater to both beginner and experienced traders. Whether you prefer the simplicity and efficiency of MT4 or the advanced features of MT5, FBS has got you covered.
FBS Broker Pros
FBS Broker Cons
LiteFinance Overview
💰 Min Deposit$50 / 20717 NGN
📗 RegulationsCySEC
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, LiteFinance App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

LiteFinance, formerly known as LiteForex, has established itself as one of the best forex brokers in Nigeria. Customer reviews of LiteFinance are generally positive, with many praising its customer service and trading platform

LiteFinance is licensed and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number CIF093/08. This ensures that LiteFinance adheres to strict regulatory standards on capital adequacy, segregated accounts, transparency, and more. LiteFinance also participates in the Investor Compensation Fund which protects traders’ funds up to €20,000 in case the broker becomes insolvent

Trading Conditions: The minimum deposit required to open a LiteFinance account in Nigeria is $50 USD, which is equivalent to approximately 20,900 Nigerian Naira (NGN) at the current exchange rate. LiteFinance offers two types of live trading accounts: ECN and Classic, both of which have the same minimum deposit requirement
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: LiteFinance has integrated the cTrader platform into its trading software offerings. This expansion includes desktop, web, and mobile versions of the cTrader platform.

The cTrader platform is known for its intuitive user interface, tools, and chart analysis options. It supports straight-through processing (STP), a feature that ensures transparency and minimizes delays in the trading process.
LiteFinance Pros
LiteFinance Cons
Editor Rating
4.9
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Pepperstone, a well-regulated forex and CFD broker, has been making a significant impact in the Nigerian market. Founded in 2010, Pepperstone has acquired regulatory licenses from top-tier authorities such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a high level of trust and security for its clients.

This forex broker offers a wide variety of trading instruments, with more than 180 options available. These include 61 currency pairs and over 100 CFDs on Indices, Cryptos, Metals, and more. The extensive selection of tradeable assets provides traders with numerous opportunities to diversify their portfolios.

Trading Conditions: Pepperstone is highly competitive in terms of its trading fees and spreads. It charges lower spreads than most of the brokers in Nigeria, making it a cost-effective choice for traders. The broker does not charge any non-trading fees, which is a significant advantage for traders who hold positions for extended periods.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: Pepperstone offers multiple trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and cTrader, available for desktop, web, and mobile. These platforms are known for their user-friendly interfaces and advanced trading features, catering to both novice and experienced traders.
Pepperstone Pros
Pepperstone Cons
Editor Rating
4.9
4.49/5
LiteFinance Overview
💰 Min Deposit$50 / 20717 NGN
📗 RegulationsCySEC
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, LiteFinance App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

OctaFX is an international forex broker that has gained significant popularity among Nigerian traders. Despite not being directly regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it operates under the jurisdiction of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority (SVG FSA), a reputable international financial regulator. 

This regulatory status provides a level of security and protection for Nigerian traders, similar to other international brokers regulated by reputable financial authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Trading Conditions: Octa offers local commission-free bank deposit/withdrawal options, a Copy Trading feature, negative balance protection, and MT4, MT5 platforms. They also offer a 50% deposit bonus on all deposits for new traders & existing traders.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: OctaFX offers three different trading platforms: OctaTrader, MetaTrader 5, and MetaTrader 4. Each platform has its unique features and array of assets that shape your trading experience.

The minimum deposit for all account types is $25, with a recommended deposit of $100. The trading commission is $0, and there are no deposit or withdrawal fees. The maximum leverage ratio is 1:500, and there are over 300 trading instruments available. OctaFX also offers a 50% deposit bonus and a status program.
OctaFx Pros
OctaFx Cons
Editor Rating
4.9
4.49/5
LiteFinance Overview
💰 Min Deposit$50 / 20717 NGN
📗 RegulationsCySEC
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, LiteFinance App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

AvaTrade, a regulated broker with over 15 years of experience, has established itself as one of the best forex brokers in Nigeria and globally.

AvaTrade is regulated by various financial bodies globally, including the European Union, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands. This means that the company is subject to strict compliance requirements regarding how they handle client funds, security, and financial reporting.

AvaTrade also offers a unique risk management feature called AvaProtect. This feature allows clients to protect a specific trade against losses of up to one million dollars over a chosen time frame. This means that if a trade does not go as planned, the client can recover their funds, minus the cost of the protection.

Trading Conditions: AvaTrade provides competitive trading conditions. It does not charge commissions on any trade, and all instruments are traded on Margin, allowing you to leverage your positions. The spreads start from as low as 0.9 pips, depending on the account type.

AvaTrade also offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:400, depending on the regulator and asset.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: AvaTrade offers a wide range of intuitive and user-friendly platforms, including WebTrader, AvaTradeGo, MT4, MT5, and AvaOptions.

These platforms cater to different trading styles and preferences, offering flexibility and convenience to traders. The proprietary AvaTrade WebTrader allows clients to switch between live and demo trading with the click of a button, offering a user-friendly approach
AvaTrade Pros
AvaTrade Cons
Editor Rating
4.9
4.49/5
LiteFinance Overview
💰 Min Deposit$50 / 20717 NGN
📗 RegulationsCySEC
💳 Trading FeesFrom 0.8 pips
⚖️ Max Leverage1000:1
💻 PlatformsMT4, MT5, LiteFinance App
👑 Crypto TradingYes
☪️ Islamic AccountsYes

RoboForex is a highly reputable forex broker that operates legally in Nigeria, holding the necessary licenses and complying with all the requirements of the local regulator.

RoboForex offers a wide range of account types to suit the needs of both beginners and experienced traders. The Pro account, for example, is the most popular account type at RoboForex, suitable for both beginners and experienced traders in Nigeria. It offers balanced trading conditions, with spreads from 1.3 pips and maximum leverage of up to 1:2000.

RoboForex is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize, one of the most reputable regulators in the industry. The broker is also a member of The Financial Commission, with a guaranteed compensation fund of 20,000 euros, providing an additional layer of security for traders.

Trading Conditions: RoboForex stands out as one of the best forex brokers in Nigeria due to its robust trading platforms, exceptional trading conditions, diverse account types, excellent customer support, strong regulation and safety measures, and convenient deposit and withdrawal methods.
📶 Multiple Trading Platforms: RoboForex offers a variety of trading platforms to suit the needs of different traders. These include the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, as well as the R WebTrader and R MobileTrader, which are the company's proprietary solutions. These platforms offer a range of advanced tools, including 13 technical indicators and 9 tools for graphic analysis, making it easier for traders to execute trades and manage their accounts.
AvaTrade Pros
AvaTrade Cons

How to Choose the Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria

There’s a multitude of Forex brokers in Nigeria to choose from, and it isn’t always easy to decide which one is best for you. It’s important that you choose a broker that’s not only honest but also very reliable.

So, “Who’s the best forex broker in Nigeria?” You ask. The following is short list of the important details you should check before you choose a forex broker in Nigeria.

  • Registration and Regulation: Your Forex broker should be registered with a regulation authority. Basically, brokers regulated by the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia are more reliable. However, this does not mean that brokers regulated in other jurisdictions such as Cyprus are any less reliable. It’s also not uncommon to forex brokers regulated in more than one jurisdictions. A good example of this, and one of the best forex brokers in Nigeria is HotForex. Click here to see a list of all HotForex regulators.
  • Spread and Commissions: The spread is difference in pips between the bidding price and the asking price of a currency/commodity, and it’s what most forex brokers use to make money on every trade placed through their network. It’s an obvious advantage to choose a forex broker who offers less/tight spreads. Again, HotForex wins over all the other forex brokers in Nigeria for having the best spreads ever.
  • Leverage: Leverage simply indicates a percentage of funds that you are allowed to borrow from the broker when you open an account. If 99% of the total value required to open a trade would be covered by your typical broker, for example, then that would leave you personally responsible for only the remaining 1%. A $100 trade would require $1 to be opened. Basically, a broker with larger leverage is better, even if you don’t intend to use all the leverage. With regards to leverage, FXTM (ForexTime.com) has the highest leverage at 1:2000
  • Minimum Deposit: There’s usually a minimum amount of capital required to start an account. This initial investment can vary anywhere from $1 to a few thousands dollars. If you don’t have that much capital, you’d appreciate trading with a forex broker who has the lowest minimum deposit. Many of the brokers in our list of the best forex brokers in Nigeria have reasonable minimum deposit, but IQ Option takes the trophy home with an initial deposit of just $1.00.
  • Interest/Swap: Is there a daily credit or debit rollover of interest? For traders who hold their positions for few days, weeks or longer, this can be an imperative feature.

Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria

The growth of the forex industry in Nigeria has given rise to hundreds of forex brokers. Given the sheer number of forex brokers, it can get difficult or at the very least confusing to the forex trader to choose the right Forex broker to trade with.

Of course, these days there are way too many sites dealing with forex broker reviews that claim to offer unbiased reviews and the like. However, forex traders should not base their decisions simply on what they read, but rather take a more individual approach in the process of choosing a Forex broker.

By letting reviews influence your decision, you are indirectly putting your trust in a forex broker based on the information written on some website. This approach can prove quite dangerous as there are lot of aspects that can be revealed only after a trader begins trading with a forex broker over a period of time.

In this article, we present a few facts on how forex traders in Nigeria need to spend time and research that will assist traders in how to choose a forex broker in Nigeria.

The forex industry started out over a decade ago and initially it was just a few forex brokers who were the true pioneers that began offering online trading to the traders. Given their success, in little to no time, more and more forex brokers came up on the scene, such kind of forex brokers are what we refer to as copycat forex brokers who offer little to no differentiation in the products that they offer.

ECN Forex brokers then came along and changed the game. ECN Forex trading, which was previously only offered to institutional investors was now available to the individual forex traders as well.

How to Choose the Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria

Finding a Forex Broker that caters to your specific needs as a trader can be a daunting task to say the least.

There are a massive number of brokers in Nigeria and they all differ vastly in how they operate and what they offer.

A novice trader has to be very vigilant not to fall into the honey traps some Forex brokers set up to attract unsuspecting aspiring traders.

It doesn’t matter what kind of trader you are, the first thing that any trader have to pay attention to when choosing a Forex broker is the reputation of the broker.

If the broker has bad reputation then there is no need to look any deeper at that broker. Some Forex brokers are very good and take good care of their clients while others are very close to being considered scammers. Some are even down right criminal but these types of brokers are not that common anymore since regulation in the Forex industry is pretty good nowadays.

Forex Broker Regulation in Nigeria

Regulation is of course not perfect but a broker located in US and especially EU has quite a few rules to obey before they can start accepting clients.

When choosing a Forex broker is can be a good idea to look at where the Forex Broker has its seat, in other words which jurisdiction the broker is incorporated.

EU is definitely preferred simply because the EU requires the client funds to be in segregated accounts. This means that if the broker goes bankrupt he will not take your trading funds with him in the fall. That’s why even a lax jurisdiction like Cyprus, which is a EU member, is preferable to USA.

Besides we all know what regulatory scandals have surfaced in the US lately, most recently the Madoff scandal. Such a scandal couldn’t happen in the EU since the accounts of the clients are separated from the brokers assets.

If you are a US resident you have little choice though as the IRS is hunting down anyone that is hiding any money outside the US and not declaring it. Although the number of US based Forex brokers are not that great there are some good ones. It will take a little more work to find one that will suit your specific trading needs if you decide to go with a US based broker. If you know what you are doing it can be better to select a EU based one as these are safer. Just make sure you keep friends with the IRS.

Types of Forex Brokers in Nigeria

Next up in your broker research should be what type of broker you want. There are many types of Forex brokers available. You can even trade directly with some Forex exchanges as well which can be a quite refreshing affair if you are used to the usual run-of -the-mill.

Depending on your trading style it is wise to go with a forex broker in Nigeria that is in line with that style. For example if you are a High Frequency trader or a so called Algorithmic Trader then a ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker is the best choice (see our list of best ECN brokers in Nigeria here).

Otherwise a Market Maker or a STP (Straight Through Processing) broker can be just as good as long as the spreads are low and the broker reputable. If you are just making say a couple of trades a week (aka Position Trader) the cost of each trade is (or at least should be) low in comparison to the profit you make.

Trading daily or 4H bars gives a much higher average profit than trading 1M bars so in that respect the costs of trading are not that important for a Position Trader. Of course the spreads must be reasonably low – I mean who wants to pay extra even if we are just talking about a few bucks in most cases.

If you are a High Roller with very large account trading, say, 100 standard lots then over time trading costs accumulate and can amount to thousands of dollars. Better to spend that money on a necklace for you wife – right?

For those of you that love Algorithmic Trading (aka fully automatic trading) there are not that many choices. The reason for this that the trading costs have to be really low. We also don’t want to get involved with Market Makers since these are too slow and thus not at all suitable for Algorithmic Strategies.

The best choice for algorithmic traders is definitely an ECN broker and not an STP due to the way a STP broker works. A STP broker is basically just a Market Maker without a Dealing Desk. A true ECN Forex broker on the other hand only makes money from the commission, nothing else.

A true ECN broker has an interest in helping you since he wants your long-term business – that is not the case with other brokers. However, there are ECN brokers that are not true ECN but rather STP posing as ECN. Can be difficult to sniff out these brokers but if the broker is reputable it shouldn’t be a problem at all.

To summarize what we have been discussing in this article the most important thing is to find a reputable broker that suits your trading needs. That requires some research on your part or you can always have a look at the reviews on this site and decide for yourself.

Most of the brokers here are more geared towards Position Traders than Algorithmic Traders since most aspiring traders are using discretionary trading systems and not automatic software. To be an Algorithmic Trader you have to have quite a bit of knowledge about programming, which most traders don’t. That doesn’t mean you cannot make a very good income trading discretionary – you certainly can.

The difference is that an Algorithmic Trader have more freedom since the execution of all the trades are handled by the program and there is no reason for the trader to sit glued to the screen.

how to choose the best forex brokers in Nigeria

1. Determine your trading style and approach

The first step in choosing a good forex broker is to pause and ask yourself a few questions.

  • What type of a forex trader are you
  • What are your preferred trading instruments. Do you primarily trade on forex pairs or is CFD’s more like you?
  • How many times a day or week do you trade.
  • Do you trade during specific hours or during news releases?

Most forex brokers in an effort to gain a large share of the market usually tend to ignore such aspects. What this translates to is that while your prefer to trade Forex pairs, the broker that you choose is more suited to trading CFD’s or vice versa. The same is reflected on aspects such as the spreads, liquidity providers and so on.

2. What’s the Trading Environment With the Broker?

It makes no logical sense to join a forex broker who for example offers only one type of a forex trading platform, something that you are unfamiliar with.

Researching and identifying what type of trading platforms are available is the second important step. If you are not familiar with the forex trading platform, then chances are that you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment and potential losses as well.

Another factor to look into is your preferred base currency to trade with. Why should you compromise and go through the trouble and even lose out on the exchange rate when your Bank, Credit Cards all make use of the Nigerian Naira? There are many forex brokers in Nigeria today and with just a little research, you can easily identify the forex broker that truly meets your expectations.

Customer service is another important factor that is often put down the checklist. Would it make any logic to wait for over six hours for support to get back to you while you have some serious issues with your orders? Not right! While choosing a forex broker, ensure that the support times matches with your trading times or at the very least, make sure that customer support is offered during your local time zone.

3. Fees, Hidden terms and commissions

In the excitement to signing up to your Forex broker, never overlook the finer details of the deal. Factors such as commissions charged by the forex broker or any other administrative overheads that come into play during times such as making your withdrawals.

The devil is always in the details, so spare some time carefully reading through the terms and conditions of the Forex broker before you decide to start trading with them.

4. Regulated V/s Non Regulated Forex Brokers in Nigeria

This makes for an interesting debate as there are valid different schools of thought. However, considering this fact. Forex brokers such as MF Global which was a reputable forex broker licensed by the CFTC went bust due to mismanagement of funds.

This fact alone proves the point that regulation in fact has nothing to do in influencing your decision.

Truth is that more clients lost money with regulated forex brokers going bust than otherwise. Perhaps one critical factor that traders should look out for is if the forex broker offers segregated accounts. This is an important aspect as it ensures that in the unfortunate event that a forex broker goes bust, at the very least your funds are secured and hence better the chances to get your money back.

Also, ECN Forex brokers are usually more robust given the business model that they operate, as compared to Market Makers or Dealing desk forex brokers whose profits is directly dependent on the trader’s profits and losses.

ECN vs Market Maker Forex Brokers in Nigeria

ECN Forex broker or a Market Maker. This is a question most forex traders in Nigeria battle with. To further the case, the debate as to which of the forex broker models, ECN or a Market Maker seem to be endless.

ECN Forex brokers are largely preferred to Market Makers due to the fact that it offers the best forex spreads without any price manipulation. A Market maker on the other hand acts as a counter party to the trades and there fore the spreads displayed by a Market maker forex dealer greatly differs to that of ECN Forex brokers.

In the table below we highlight some major differences between an ECN v/s Market Maker type of forex brokers.

Anonymity of Trading

Unlike an ECN forex broker, a Market Maker dealer knows exactly what your open positions are, your trading strategy and style and can use this to their advantage and is essential as they take counter positions to your trades.

Client – Bank Trading

An ECN Forex broker connects the trader directly to the market participants that include liquidity providers such as banks.

Re-Quotes/Slippage

ECN Brokers offer faster connectivity and display the best spreads from the liquidity pool. The price displayed is the price at which your trades will be executed.

Market Depth

Market Makers do not display the available liquidity in the markets unlike an ECN Forex broker.

Counter Party Trades

Market Makers forex model always takes a counter position against your trades. ECN forex model allows for Straight Through processing.

News Based Trading

Most Market Makers do not now allow trading during economic releases. ECN forex brokers are scalper friendly with the exception being that the spreads are much more volatile at such times.

Spreads/Commissions

Market Maker forex brokers always offer fixed spreads and do not charge commissions. An ECN Broker charges commissions based on trading volumes and offers the lowest spreads possible.

Starting Capital

Market Makers allow trading with as low as $1. ECN Forex brokers require a minimum of $100 to trade with and Currenex Account holders require a minimum of $50,000 as starting capital.

Leverage

ECN Forex brokers do not offer high leverage that is typical of Market Makers, which could be as high as 600:1. Lack of high leverage isn’t much sought after because besides the potential profits it offers, the risks are just as high.

Given the fact that a Market Maker type of forex dealer is a counter-party to their client’s trades, the Market Maker model is exposed to the market risks. Whilst such risks are well managed by making use of appropriate hedging with a high-tier counter-party, it might not always be the actual case.

Furthermore, even if the risk is well managed with a Market Maker, the risks still loom large. An ECN Forex broker on the other hand does not have to worry about being exposed to the market risks, as they only provide a service for which an ECN forex broker charges a commission. At no point is an ECN broker exposed to market risk and the likelihood for an ECN forex broker to become insolvent is far lesser in comparison to a market maker type of dealer.

Insolvency can cause serious implications for a client’s funds which the broker holds. Most reputable Market Makers however maintains their client funds in a segregated account away from the company’s operating capital to keep their risk management tight.

 

Choosing an ECN forex broker that offers segregated accounts is always better than choosing a regulated forex broker. At the very least your funds are secured and thus gives you a higher chance to get your capital back in case the forex broker goes bust.

A simple way to figure out if segregated accounts are used is to keep an eye on the Bank WIREs, if the same account number is used for both deposits and withdrawals.

Forex trading can be fun but is only for those traders who are more serious and wish to truly take advantage of the forex industry. Follow these simply tips and you are on the right path to choosing the ideal ECN forex broker in Nigeria that meets your needs.

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