Broker comparison · Checked 25 Oct 2026
AvaTrade vs Plus500: licences in Kenya and South Africa
Two well-known CFD brands. AvaTrade has local entities in Kenya and South Africa; Plus500 serves South Africa from Australia.
AvaTrade vs Plus500 at a glance
| AvaTrade | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇪 Kenya (CMA) | 262Ava Trade Kenya Limited | Not licensed |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa (FSCA) | FSP 45984Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd | FSP 47546Plus500AU Pty LtdThe FSCA licence is held by Plus500's Australian company, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, not a South African company. Plus500AU (Pty) Ltd is an approved OTC derivative provider (ODP) on the FSCA list of OTC derivative providers, checked 25 Oct 2026. |
| M-Pesa (Kenya) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Also regulated by | — | FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), DFSA (Dubai) |
| Full review | AvaTrade review → | Plus500 review → |
Licence data from the CMA register and the FSCA FAIS register. Always confirm on the regulator's own site before you deposit.
Which should you choose?
In Kenya, only AvaTrade holds a CMA licence. With Plus500 you would deal with a company outside CMA protection.
In South Africa, both AvaTrade and Plus500 hold FSCA licences, so the choice comes down to costs, platform and deposit methods. Open your account with the local company shown below.
Buttons appear only where the broker holds a local licence. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure. Our real-money tests of fees and withdrawal times will be added to this page.
Questions people ask
Is AvaTrade or Plus500 regulated in Kenya?
In Kenya, only AvaTrade holds a CMA licence. With Plus500 you would deal with a company outside CMA protection.
Is AvaTrade or Plus500 regulated in South Africa?
In South Africa, both AvaTrade and Plus500 hold FSCA licences, so the choice comes down to costs, platform and deposit methods. Open your account with the local company shown below.
Which is safer, AvaTrade or Plus500?
Safety starts with the licence in your own country: a CMA licence in Kenya or an FSCA licence in South Africa gives you a local regulator to complain to. Neither licence protects you from trading losses; most retail CFD accounts lose money.