Global trading platform enters South Africa months after London-listed IG Group's local exit

South Africa's position as one of Africa's leading financial hub is continuing to attract international trading firms, with online brokerage platform Capital.com becoming the latest global player to secure regulatory approval to operate in the country.

• Capital.com has secured regulatory approval to launch operations in South Africa.
• The company will offer CFDs across more than 5,000 global markets, including shares, forex and commodities.
• Its entry comes months after IG Group exited South Africa's locally regulated trading market.
• The move highlights South Africa's continued appeal as a gateway for international financial firms targeting Africa.

The Cyprus-based company has received dual authorisation from South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), allowing it to offer contracts for difference (CFDs) and other regulated trading products to local investors.

The approvals, granted under the Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) and Category 1 Financial Services Provider (FSP) frameworks, clear the way for Capital.com to onboard South African clients and provide access to more than 5,000 markets, including shares, foreign exchange, commodities and stock indices.

The move comes at a time when South Africa's financial services sector is experiencing a changing of the guard.

In 2025, London-listed IG Group wound down its local South African operations after more than a decade in the market, closing domestic rand-denominated trading accounts and ending locally regulated CFD services.

While some clients were able to continue trading through offshore entities, the exit left room for new entrants seeking access to one of Africa's largest and most sophisticated retail investor bases.

Capital.com's arrival suggests international firms still see significant opportunities in South Africa despite increasing regulatory scrutiny and tougher compliance requirements.

Founded in 2016, Capital.com has grown into one of the world's larger online trading platforms, operating across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

The company has built its business around technology-driven trading tools and mobile-first investing services aimed at retail investors.

Its South African licence also allows it to offer crypto-linked CFDs under FSCA supervision, reflecting the country's evolving approach to digital assets.

South Africa has emerged as one of the continent's most active regulators of crypto-related financial services since formally classifying crypto assets as financial products.

The regulatory framework has encouraged international firms to establish locally supervised operations rather than serve clients solely through offshore entities.

"Operating under local regulatory supervision is fundamental to how we approach market entry. The FSCA approvals define the framework within which Capital.com is permitted to operate in South Africa, including the standards we must meet around governance, conduct and risk controls," said Valentina Rzheutskaya, Executive Director at Capital.com.

The company has appointed Travis Robson as chief executive officer for South Africa. Robson previously held senior roles within the online trading industry, including positions at IG Group, giving him experience in managing regulated brokerage operations.

"Operating through a regulated local entity matters because it shapes the environment in which decisions are made. Our role is to ensure clients engage with markets within a framework that is governed, supervised and designed to prioritise clarity around risk," Robson said.

The expansion comes as interest in online investing and self-directed trading continues to grow across Africa, particularly among younger investors seeking exposure to global markets through digital platforms.

However, the products Capital.com intends to offer remain among the riskiest available to retail investors.

CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movement of assets without owning the underlying securities. Because they typically involve leverage, gains and losses can be amplified significantly.

Capital.com's own disclosures show that between 61% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs across entities within the group.

The company says prospective clients should ensure they understand the products and the risks involved before investing.

Beyond Capital.com, South Africa continues to attract a mix of global financial firms seeking an African foothold.

While some traditional banking institutions have scaled back parts of their operations in recent years, fintech companies, digital banks and technology-driven investment platforms have increasingly viewed the country as a gateway to the continent's broader financial services market.