If you want to start trading in Nigeria, you need to be sure that you are looking at legitimate investment platforms in Nigeria or stock trading platforms for Nigerians, even if they are based outside the country.
There is a lot of choice available online when it comes to choosing the best online trading platform in Nigeria, and for many beginner traders the choice can be overwhelming – so this article looks at some of the options that are available for Nigerian traders, as well as some of the criteria that you should consider using when you are choosing the right place to trade.
The best stock trading brokers in Nigeria might not always be the cheapest, and you should always be looking for those that are regulated and considered safe, as well as providing the right trading instruments for you.
A List of the Top Trading Platforms in Nigeria for May 2023:
Description of the Best Trading Platforms in Nigeria for May 2023
There are potentially thousands of options for trading platforms and brokers available online, but not every platform is available in every country or location.
The below trading platforms and brokers allow account opening for traders in Nigeria.
1. Pepperstone
Pros
- Extensively regulated
- No minimum deposit
- Low fees and mostly free withdrawals
- Good customer service
Best for: Traders interested in forex CFDs
Assets and markets: CFDs in forex, indices, shares, commodities, ETFs
Account types: Standard, Razor, Active Trader Razor, Demo
Pepperstone is an Australian CFD stockbroker, active in the UK and globally. It has created a trading app for each of the platforms it provides – TradingView, MT4, MT5 and cTrader.
The Pepperstone cTrader app is recommended for those new to trading or still finding their investment footing. The cTrader app provides the same trading experience that you would experience in the computer version.
Like Pepperstone offers social copy trading, but unlike its competitor, you may only trade CFDs with this broker.
The standard account is commission-free, whereas Razor account holders are subject to commission charges. There is no minimum deposit, but Pepperstone recommends £500.
Withdrawal fees are charged to customers outside the EU and Australia.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. XTB
Pros
- Regulated by the FCA
- Low forex fees
- Fast withdrawal and deposit with no fee
- Live chat customer service
Cons
- Limited product portfolio
- High fees for stock CFDs
Headquartered in both London and Warsaw, XTB was founded in 2002.
This broker is well regulated, including FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV and IFSC.
XTB has low forex fees but relatively high CFD fees. Users do not need to pay an account fee or a deposit fee, and there is no minimum deposit.
Withdrawals over $100 are free; however, it can only be completed through bank transfer.
The base currencies at XTB are USD, GBP, EUR, HUF and PLN; therefore, NGN deposits will be subject to currency conversion fees.
The proprietary trading platform of XTB is called xStation 5 and is available as a web platform, as a desktop download, and as a mobile app.The broker also offers access to the MetaTrader 4 suite.
The web version of xStation 5 is fully customizable and has a user-friendly interface. It looks professional and at first glance, might seem a bit too complex for the beginner trader; however, it is simple to navigate.
You can use stop, trailing stop, limit, and market orders on all versions of xStation 5, and there is a handy trader calculator that demonstrates all the parameters of each trade.
You can set up SMS, push, or email notifications for price movements.
The mobile platform is available on iOS and Android, with seamless integration with both the desktop and web trading platforms. It is simple and easy to use for trading on the go.
XTB offers the following trading instruments:
- 49 currency pairs
- 42 stock index CFDs
- 1,800 stock CFDs
- 114 ETF CFDs
- 22 commodity CFDs
- 25 cryptocurrencies
- 17 stock markets
- 220 ETFs
There is tremendous research available, from market analysis on the XTB website to trading ideas.
The news feed is curated by their research team, and the market sentiment is complemented by a ‘heatmap’ that highlights the highs and lows of performance.
There is limited fundamental data available, however. XTB shines in terms of education, in addition to a demo account and platform tutorials.
There are structured courses in the form of videos, articles and eBooks based on the level of experience that the user has.
The customer service at XTB is not 24/7, but it is responsive and fast and available via telephone, live chat and email.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
3. AvaTrade
Pros
- Worldwide regulated
- Multiple platforms – MT4, MT5, etc.
- Negative balance protection
- 20% welcome bonus
- Educational content
- Wide rage of payments methods
- Fixed spreads
Cons
- You can’t buy stocks
- Quarterly and annual inactivity fees
- Custumer support is not available 24/7
- No bonus for EU based clients
- No US clients accepted
- Imitated crypto assets
AvaTrade is a CFD Regulated broker with +1,000 financial instruments and multiple trading platforms. It has been operating since 2006.
It offers a 20% welcome bonus up to $10,000, according to regulation and a free 21-day demo account with $100,000.
Instruments include:
- Metals
- Commodities
- Stocks
- FX Options
- Oil
- ETFs
- Options
- Crypto currencies
- CFDs
- Indexes
- Shares
- Spread betting
- Indices
- Forex
- Bonds
AVATrade EU Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. (No.C53877)Ava Trade Markets Ltd. is regulated by the B.V.I Financial Services Commission. It is also highly regulated in Australia, South Africa, Japan, Middle East, Cyprus and Israel
You can not trade with AvaTrade in the US, North Korea, New Zealand, Iran or Belgium.
Mínimum deposit of $100, no withdraw limit and no fees.
4. IG
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and today is the world’s leading online trading provider with more traders trusting them with their money than anyone else
IG is authorised and regulated by the FCA and provides traders access to over 18,000 markets. IG offers more 24-hour indices than any other provider, and extended hours on over 70 key US stocks
For those who prefer to own the underlying asset, IG offers access to over 13,000 global shares and ETFs, or a wealth portfolio managed by one of their experts.
Benefits:
- Advanced platform and charting – L2 dealer, ProRealTime and MT4
- Demo account
- Extended trading hours
- Extensive range of products
- Daily expert analysis & educational resources
- Round-the-clock customer service
- Negative balance protection for retail clients
Based on revenue (published financial statements, October 2022). 24/7 excludes the hours from 10 pm Friday to 8 am Saturday (UK time), and 20 minutes just before the weekday market opens on Sunday night.
Your capital is at risk. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
5. Olymp Trade
Pros
- Low minimum deposit
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Good educational resources and trading tools
- 24/7 customer service
- User-friendly interface
- Demo account
Cons
- Inactivity fee
- Limited regulation
Founded in 2014, Olymp Trade is a relative newcomer as a trading platform but has more than 25 million users worldwide.
Traders can buy and sell stocks, commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies and ETFs with a minimum deposit of $10.
Based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Olymp Trade is regulated by the IFC.
All deposits and withdrawals are free, whether you use bank transfer, cards or e-wallets, but there is an inactivity fee after 180 days of $10 (or equivalent) per month.
Commission is about 8% of the trade on Olymp Trade, and the spreads are about average on currency pairs. There are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $10.
The trading platform is available on web, mobile and desktop and is straightforward to use with a seamless user experience. The interface is customisable, and you can use various indicators and analysis tools while making trades on options on forex.
The mobile app is native for both iOS and Android and is designed to have the full functionality of the web and desktop platform, with notifications and alerts.
If you want to use Olymp Trade for buying Bitcoin, it is worth noting that you can only trade cryptocurrency CFDs rather than buying and owning the altcoins.
Traders on the platform are designated different statuses, depending on the amount of deposit.
- Starter is up to $499 deposit, which offers basic functionality.
- For those that deposit $500 to $1,999, the Advanced status offers more open positions, faster withdrawal requests, monthly consultations with professionals, built-in trading strategies and private webinars. You can get a 10% discount on Forex fees too.
Advanced status comes from depositing more than $2,000, and includes risk-free trades, individual training and exclusive daily investment ideas as well as everything else that is available in the lower status groups.
There are lots of educational resources available on Olymp Trade, including a Learn How to Trade in 30 Minutes course and other articles, tutorials and videos all listed by theme and category.
Research is in-house and includes forecasts, technical analytics and a blog with lots of useful information, with analysis like charting, an economic calendar and fundamental data.
Customer service is available in multiple languages and can be accessed 24/7 via phone, email or live chat.
6. FXTM
Pros
- Regulated by FCA and CySEC
- Low minimum deposit
- Good educational and research offerings
- Demo account
- Accepts a range of payment methods
- Negative balance protection
Cons
- Withdrawal fees
- Inactivity fee
- Limited product offerings
- Customer support is good but not 24/7
FXTM is the shorthand for Forextime, which was founded in 2011. This is a CFD and Forex broker known for its tremendous customer service, and crucially for traders in Nigeria, one of the base currencies used is NGN.
This broker does not have a proprietary platform but does offer access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 through a web trading service, desktop software, and a mobile app.
Deposits are accepted through bank transfer, credit and debit cards, as well as various electronic wallets.
There are no conversion fees for using NGN as it is one of the base currencies.
Fees are low for trading forex but high for CFDs, and there are no account fees. You can expect to pay the equivalent of $3 for a withdrawal fee.
FXTM offers the following trading instruments:
- 62 currency pairs
- 11 Stock Index CFDs
- 172 Stock CFDs
- 3 Commodity CFDs
- 4 Cryptocurrencies
- 3 Stock Markets
Analysis and research for FXTM are provided through MetaTrader, offering insights into trading ideas from trading signals, market analysis, a news timeline and economic calendar.
FXTM offers a demo account, full platform tutorials, educational videos, webinars, articles and a glossary.
7. Saxo Bank
Pros
- Heavily regulated
- Good product portfolio
- Low forex fees
- No withdrawal fee
Cons
- High fees for options, futures and bonds
- High minimum deposit
Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank that was founded in 1992. Regulated by the Danish Financial Services Authority and the FCA, it offers an excellent and well-designed trading platform.
The fees for Saxo Bank may be higher than some others, but the provision of trading assets, the proprietary platform, and the customer service is highly rated.
There are no account, withdrawal, or deposit fees, but if you do not trade for 180 consecutive days, there is a $150 inactivity fee for Nigerian accounts.
NGN is not a base currency offered by Saxo Bank; therefore, there will be currency conversion fees assigned to deposits and withdrawals, with a $10,000 minimum deposit that can be made through bank transfer or using credit/debit cards.
The Saxo Bank proprietary platform is available on the web, desktop and mobile. The SaxoTraderGo platform is modern-looking and easy to use.
It offers customization options for the interface and many different order types (including time-based), so it suits a large number of trading styles.
Traders can easily set up alerts and notifications on all variations of the platform, and the native iOS and Android apps offer seamless integration for trading on the go, although the smaller screen does make some of the functions less simple to use.
There are a huge range of trading instruments available to users, including:
- 28 stock markets
- 3,100 ETFs
- 182 currency pairs
- 40,000 bonds
- 23 options markets
- 23 futures markets
- 29 stock index CFDs
- 8,800 stock CFDs
- 675 ETF CFDs
- 19 commodity CFDs
- Five bond CFDs
- Two cryptocurrencies
Saxo Bank offers leading research and analysis from in-house sources, as well as a third party, including trading ideas, recommendations, and detailed fundamental data, both current and historical.
There are also daily podcasts alongside a news feed and economic calendar.
The education available includes a demo account, platform tutorials, videos, and webinars.
In terms of customer support, users can speak to someone via the phone or through email, although this is not available 24/7, and there is no live chat function.
What Is a Trading Platform?
A trading platform is a piece of software designed to allow users to buy and sell stocks, commodities and other assets.
Trading platforms allow users to manage their opening and closing positions on multiple markets, usually through an intermediary like an online broker.
Trading platforms range from basic to advanced, and most have accessible education and resources to make them suitable for beginners, as well as a wealth of trading tools designed to help professional traders.
There are two types of trading platforms available. Commercial platforms offer trading for day traders, and retail investors alike and are stand-alone entities for trading multiple assets.
Platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are considered commercial platforms, and they often come with a wealth of built-in features, including research and news as well as expert advisers and social trading. Commercial platforms offer more choice in assets.
Prop platforms are proprietary created by brokers to offer bespoke trading styles and are limited to the assets that the broker offers.
Prop platforms are developed specifically for the broker, so they usually have extra tools, research, and education relating specifically to the instruments they trade.
Proprietary platforms might offer better prices on the spread.
Having the right trading platform will help you monitor your risk, protect your capital, and trade in the way that suits you best, as well as providing reliable access to the markets you want to trade.
There are several things to consider when you are looking for the best trading platform for Nigerian traders. Some people prefer a user-friendly interface, while beginner traders might be looking for educational resources.
Experienced traders want access to multiple trading instruments, while day traders need fast execution.
Every trader should be looking for a platform that offers competitive fees, high levels of security, and the features that will be most useful.
Key Points to Remember When Choosing a Trading Platform
Security
When trading, you are putting your capital at risk. Trading of any kind is a financial risk; therefore, it is important to be sure that your trades are as safe as possible.
Trading platforms and brokers are safest when they are regulated by a recognized financial body. This could include the FSA in the UK and CySEC for the EU.
Look for platforms that segregate accounts because that means your investments are held separately from the accounts of the platform and therefore cannot be used to fund their activities (or pay their debts).
Regulated platforms must comply with the anti-money laundering regulations and verify the ID of all traders, as well as have their financial activity regularly audited.
Access security is also important, and many mobile and web-based platforms ask for at least two-factor protocols, with many adopting biometrics, too.
Fees
There will be fees for trading no matter what platform you use, and these are usually down to the broker. Some of the fees you might have to pay to trade include:
- Commission and spread fees: This is how the platform or broker makes money from offering the service.
- Account fees: Monthly ‘subscription’ costs, inactivity fees
- Transaction fees: Deposit and withdrawal costs – these might vary depending on the source of funds.
- Currency conversion: Many platforms have only a small selection of base, usually USD, EUR and/or GBP, which means that you will be subject to currency conversion fees if you are depositing or withdrawing in another currency.
This can be avoided by choosing a platform or broker that accepts your currency as a base currency (such as FXTM, which accepts NGN as a base currency, which is perfect for Nigerian traders).
The fees charged by the platform you choose can vary; therefore, it is important to ensure you know what everything costs as part of your decision.
While going for the cheapest option might seem the best course of action, the platforms that charge the higher fees might have the most relevant tools and assets that you are looking for; therefore, price should not be the only criterion used in making that decision.
Types of Investment
The trading instruments that a platform provides access to will be important if you are looking to trade a particular asset type.
While prop platforms are tied to the instruments that the broker deals with (and therefore might be limited in terms of access to a wider portfolio), there are often extra tools and benefits to using the prop platform of your preferred broker.
Commercial platforms tend to have the widest offerings in terms of multiple asset types. The selection of trading instruments that you might find in your platform include:
- Stocks and shares
- Bonds
- Forex
- Cryptocurrency
- CFDs
- ETFs/Indexes/Mutual Funds
- Commodities
Education/Research/Analysis
Some trading platforms will provide extensive education options. One of the most useful resources to help you learn, especially as a beginner, is a demo account.
This helps users to understand how the platform works; however, it also allows you to try out new trading styles and techniques without risking your real capital.
Some platforms offer courses suitable for beginners and experienced traders to gain knowledge and insight, from the basics of trading right through to in-depth training on new trading styles.
Education can be in the form of articles, videos, webinars and eBooks.
Research can be provided in the form of news, market sentiment and trading insights, as well as charts and fundamental data.
Some platforms provide analytical tools that you might find useful in deciding how you want to trade, including charts, platform reports, third party reports, news feeds and economic calendars, as well as technical indicators.
Alerts
Keeping on top of volatile markets can become a full-time job if you need to monitor price changes yourself.
However, with most platforms, you can set up alerts for the parameters that are important to you as a trader.
This might be pricing notifications or other more bespoke information.
Depending on the platform (and whether it is web-based or a desktop/mobile application, you can receive alerts through push notifications, emails and even SMS.
Ease of Use
Most platforms are designed to be straightforward and easy to use, and it is rare to find one without a detailed video tutorial to guide you through the features you might need.
For the easiest user experience, some platforms offer personalized layouts and adaptable charting, while others are seamless through the web trading platform, desktop software and mobile app.
Ease of use concerns the user experience and the way the platform looks and responds, as well as how easy it is to find the functionality that you are looking for.
Customer Support
The customer support offered by the platform comes in one of four main forms:
- Phone
- Live Chat
- Web Support Tickets
Some platforms offer a 24/7 service, while others are only available during normal trading hours.
Look for platforms that are fast and responsive at dealing with issues because time is of the essence in trading, and in some cases, web support tickets could take a few days for a response.
Trading Tools and Features
The way you trade is as individual as you are; therefore, ensuring that the trading platform you use has the functionality you need to be successful is important.
There are several tools and features that you might prefer, including:
Small trade sizes: The ability to purchase a fractional share of an asset, rather than multiples of one whole unit.
Different order types: The main order types that you are likely to come across include buy, sell, stop loss, take profit and trailing stop loss, but other order types relying on time, etc., can help you create an individual strategy.
Copy Trading: Sometimes known as social trading, this is a trading style based on the actions that other (successful) traders are taking.
Indicators and Robots: Automation and algorithmic trading allow hands-free trading, and for some traders, a platform that integrates with their preferred Expert Advisor is necessary.
Portfolio management tools: If you are investing in a range of different assets to trade, then tools that allow you to manage your portfolio are necessary, so you know where your money is at all times.
Mobile functionality: Make trades on the go – especially important if you do not want to be tied to the computer all day. Modern trading platform applications are native to iOS and Android, which allows for a seamless user experience and full trading functionality wherever you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pepperstone has consistently been regarded as the most popular trading platform in Nigeria. It offers a range of trading options including Forex trades and is registered with a variety of regulatory bodies.
You would start by choosing a broker or online platform to trade through. Once you have chosen the right option for your needs, it is a good idea to use a demo account to practice the principles of trading. This will help you to get to grips with the features of your chosen platform and create a strategy before you invest real money.
The best online platform for you will vary depending on your needs and level of experience. Some of the most popular options include:
Bitcoin Era software is only available to use in a limited number of countries.
If you are unsure whether the software you are considering is legitimate, you should always check if it is registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as researching the background of the particular website.
There are several legitimate trading platforms to choose from in Nigeria.
To be sure that the one you have chosen is a real one, you should check that it is registered and verified by a regulatory body such as the Financial Conduct Authority.
ExpertOption is a legitimate broker which allows individuals to make a variety of trades. It is available for users in Nigeria to use.
As more and more platforms become available to use in Nigeria, it will open up opportunities for new users to discover cryptocurrencies. This will help interest and trading to grow.
Yes, Olymp Trading is available for users in Nigeria.
The broker that you choose will largely depend on your needs. If you are a beginner, then you will probably want to choose a platform that offers educational resources and a demo account option so that you can create and practice strategies without losing real money.
Some of the best options for beginners include:
There are three ways to deposit funds to your Olymp Trade account: e-wallet, bank card and bank transfer.
It is important to note that the Olymp Trade platform operates on US$, so there is likely to be an exchange difference when depositing and withdrawing funds.
Many trading platforms have their own apps which allow users to keep up with changes in the markets no matter where they are. One of the most popular options is Pepperstone.
Yes, the MetaTrader 4 platform works in Nigeria. There are also local customer support options for Nigerian traders if required.
It can be. If you create a strategy that works and are careful with your investments then you can make a profit with Forex trading. However, as with any other form of trading, Forex trades come with a level of risk and you should never invest more than you can afford to lose.
The amount that you can make each day is variable and it would be impossible to give an exact figure. Profits and earnings will depend on factors such as market conditions and the amount you can invest.
You will need to begin by gaining a degree-level education in a relevant subject such as economics or finance. This will need to be obtained by a recognized and reputable university or polytechnic college.
Final Thoughts
With local and regional restrictions in place, finding the best trading platform for your country of residence is not always straightforward.
All these platforms are available for Nigerian account holders; therefore, they offer access to the markets in a remarkably similar way.
The choice comes from what the fees are in comparison to what benefits they have.
When deciding on the best trading platform for you, think about what features you want to use now and what you might want to use in the future.
Make full use of the demo accounts to get comfortable with the structure of the platform and how the trading works.
It is important to remember that cheaper platforms do not always offer the best service.
WikiJob does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circ*mstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
