Africa's trading market continues to attract new participants as fintech adoption rises and access to financial services improves across the continent.At the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button sat down with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, to discuss what is driving this growth, how trader expectations are changing, and where he believes the industry is heading next.Why Is Trading Growing So Quickly in Africa?Interest in trading has increased significantly over the past few years, supported by growing awareness of financial markets and easier access through digital platforms.According to Mathapo, the growth extends beyond trading alone."In the last year or two, I've seen such significant growth in the trading space. We've seen how big the fintech space is growing as well."He explained that as more people enter the market, brokers must be ready to support traders at every stage of their journey. Vantage has focused heavily on education, offering resources for beginners, intermediate traders, and experienced market participants alike.What Do Traders Want From a Broker?With more brokers competing for attention, trust remains one of the most important factors when traders decide where to open an account.Mathapo believes traders are looking for reliability, transparency, and long-term stability."You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."He added that traders want clear information from the start, including spreads, commissions, available products, and withdrawal processes. Regulation also plays an important role, particularly in South Africa, where traders are increasingly looking for licensed and well-established firms.How Is Technology Improving the Trading Experience?Mobile trading and fintech have become closely connected, giving traders faster, easier access to markets.Mathapo highlighted Vantage's focus on technology, including its mobile trading app, TradingView integration, and web-based trading platform.The company has worked to give traders flexibility, whether they prefer traditional platforms or newer solutions that combine analysis and execution in one place.Why Are Local Payments Important?One of the areas where Africa continues to stand out is payments innovation.Rather than relying only on international payment methods, Vantage has integrated local banking options used by South African traders.The company has also introduced its V Card, allowing traders to access and spend funds directly from their trading accounts.According to Mathapo, local solutions help create a smoother experience and remove friction from the trading process.How Does Vantage Build Trust With Clients?Trust is not built overnight, and Mathapo credits Vantage's growth to listening closely to its clients."We value the feedback we get from our clients. When clients tell us there's a gap in the market, we take that feedback seriously and create solutions that work for them."He also emphasised the importance of meeting traders face-to-face through events and educational initiatives.While much of the industry operates online, personal interaction helps strengthen relationships and gives clients confidence that there are real people behind the brand.What Is the Future of Trading in Africa?Looking ahead, Mathapo sees a future where access to financial markets becomes easier and more connected across borders."I'd like to see trading become a seamless integration for everybody in the world, where people can access financial markets without barriers."He believes technology will continue to remove obstacles and create new opportunities for traders regardless of location.Crypto is also expected to remain an important area of growth. Mathapo pointed to increasing interest in digital assets and suggested that asset-backed cryptocurrencies, particularly those linked to commodities such as gold, could play a larger role in the future. See how trading with Vantage works Watch the Full InterviewHow are fintech and trading becoming more connected in Africa?Why are local payment solutions helping brokers win client trust?And what does the future hold for crypto, digital finance, and retail trading across the continent?Watch the full interview with Kabelo Mathapo to hear his insights on the opportunities shaping Africa's next generation of traders.This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.