- Regulator
- Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
- Local company
- Ava Trade Kenya Limited
- Licence number
- 262
- M-Pesa
- Not confirmed
Broker review · Checked
AvaTrade review 2026: is AvaTrade legit in Kenya and South Africa?
AvaTrade confirms on its own site that Ava Trade Kenya Limited is CMA-regulated and that its South African company is only an intermediary. The minimum deposit is $100. Its inactivity fees are among the steepest we have seen: $50 every three months after three months idle, plus $100 after a year.
- Founded2006
- 🇰🇪 CMALicence 262
- 🇿🇦 FSCAFSP 45984
- Minimum deposit$100 / €100
- M-PesaNot confirmed
Is AvaTrade regulated? Licence by country
- Regulator
- Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
- Local company
- Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd
- Licence number
- FSP 45984
A licence means someone supervises the broker. It does not make trading safe: most retail CFD accounts lose money.
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is an established CFD broker regulated in several countries. In October 2026 it announced the acquisition of FXCM. In Kenya, Ava Trade Kenya Limited holds CMA licence 262 as a non-dealing online forex broker. In South Africa, Ava Capital Markets (Pty) Ltd holds FSP 45984 and, by AvaTrade's own description, acts only as an intermediary.
FXEmpire reported that Kenyan clients were onboarded with Ava Trade Markets Ltd in the British Virgin Islands. As with every broker on this site, check the company named on your agreement.
Who AvaTrade suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit if you
- trade regularly and keep the account active
- want MetaTrader plus AvaTrade's own apps and options platform
Look elsewhere if you
- might leave the account idle for months
- want to start with less than $100
- need M-Pesa confirmed by the broker
AvaTrade account types and minimum deposit
| Account | Minimum deposit | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Retail account | $100 / €100 | Spread only |
Base currencies: USD and EUR. GBP and AUD only for UK and Australian clients.
AvaTrade fees: spreads, commission and other charges
| Commission | None on standard CFDs; costs are in the spread |
| Inactivity fee | $50 after 3 months without activity, repeated every 3 months |
| Administration fee | $100 after 12 months of inactivity |
| Withdrawals | 1–2 working days after verification; wires can take up to 10 business days |
Inactivity and administration fees per BrokerChooser; withdrawal times from AvaTrade's deposits page.
Work out the cost of a trade before you place it with our pip value and profit and loss calculators.
AvaTrade deposits and withdrawals in Kenya and South Africa
🇰🇪 Kenya
- Licensed company: Ava Trade Kenya Limited, CMA licence 262 (non-dealing).
- FXEmpire reported Kenyan clients being onboarded with Ava Trade Markets Ltd (BVI). Check your agreement.
- M-Pesa is mentioned by one review site but not on AvaTrade's own deposits page. Confirmed methods: cards, bank wire, Skrill, Neteller.
🇿🇦 South Africa
- Ava Capital Markets (Pty) Ltd holds FSP 45984 and acts only as an intermediary.
- Not found on the FSCA list of OTC derivative providers (checked 25 Oct 2026).
M-Pesa limits, rand EFT, cards, e-wallets and the payment scams to avoid: read our deposits and withdrawals guide.
AvaTrade trading platforms
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- AvaTrade WebTrader
- AvaTradeGO app
- AvaOptions
Is your money safe with AvaTrade?
- Local companies in Kenya and South Africa, both confirmed on AvaTrade's site.
- Several regulators across the group.
- In South Africa the local company does not issue the CFDs.
AvaTrade pros and cons
Pros
- Long track record and several regulators
- CMA and FSCA companies confirmed by the broker
- Wide platform choice, including options
Cons
- Heavy inactivity and administration fees
- $100 minimum deposit
- M-Pesa not confirmed by AvaTrade
- Intermediary only in South Africa
Our real-money test of AvaTrade
Coming
We will open a AvaTrade account, deposit, place a trade and withdraw, then publish the screenshots, the time each step took and every fee we paid.
AvaTrade withdrawal time: reports from traders
How long do AvaTrade withdrawals really take?
Loading reports…
Median of reports from traders. Not checked by us; our own tests are marked separately.
Withdrawal stuck or refused at AvaTrade? Get a ready complaint letter and the right regulator contact with our complaint desk →
AvaTrade: questions people ask
Is AvaTrade regulated in Kenya?
Yes. In Kenya, AvaTrade operates through Ava Trade Kenya Limited, which holds CMA licence 262. Check that this company is named on your client agreement, not an offshore company of the same brand.
Is AvaTrade regulated by the FSCA in South Africa?
Yes. In South Africa, AvaTrade operates through Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd, which holds FSCA licence FSP 45984. Check that this company is named on your client agreement, not an offshore company of the same brand.
What is the AvaTrade minimum deposit?
$100 (or €100) by card or wire.
Does AvaTrade charge an inactivity fee?
Yes: $50 after three months without activity, repeated every three months, plus a $100 administration fee after twelve months.
How long do AvaTrade withdrawals take?
One to two working days after verification; bank wires can take up to ten business days to arrive.
Is AvaTrade regulated in Kenya?
Yes. Ava Trade Kenya Limited holds CMA licence 262.
Sources for this review (checked 25 Oct 2026)
- CMA: licensed non-dealing online forex brokers
- AvaTrade: deposits and withdrawals
- BrokerChooser: AvaTrade inactivity fee
- FXEmpire: best forex brokers in Kenya (Oct 2026)
Fees, minimums and payment methods change and can differ by the company you sign with. Confirm them on the broker's site before you deposit. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.