Capital.com arrives in Kenya with approval in hand and little room for regulatory shortcuts
Approval brings access, but it also brings scrutiny, and Capital.com is stepping into a market that has little patience for missteps
Global fintech group, Capital.com, has been granted a license by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya to operate as a Dealing Online Foreign Exchange Broker under license number 244.
The licence authorizes Capital.com to offer regulated online forex and trading services to clients in Kenya, acting as a compliant counterparty and providing onboarding, execution, and client support in line with CMA requirements.
The fintech’s entry into the country aligns with its strategy of accessing markets responsibly under established regulatory frameworks and forms part of the group’s long-term commitment to operating within clearly defined risk and compliance standards.
Capital.com has appointed Samwel Kiraka as Chief Executive Officer in Kenya to lead its operations in the country. Samwel brings extensive experience leading financial services operations in regulated environments. He will be responsible for establishing and overseeing local operations in line with CMA requirements, including governance, compliance, and client operations.
Commenting on the CMA license approval, Valentina Rzheutskaya, Executive Director at Capital.com, said:
“Operating under local regulatory supervision is a fundamental requirement for offering financial services responsibly. The CMA license provides a clear framework for how we operate in Kenya, including how we communicate risk, support clients, and maintain appropriate controls. Our focus is on providing access to markets within a regulated environment that prioritises transparency and informed decision-making.”
In Kenya, Capital.com will operate under CMA supervision, with local governance, compliance oversight, and client support structures in place. Services will be delivered in accordance with Kenyan regulatory requirements, including ongoing reporting obligations and supervisory standards.
“Capital.com’s priority in Kenya is to operate within the framework set by the Capital Markets Authority and to build local operations that meet regulatory and operational expectations from day one,” said Samwel Kiraka, CEO of Capital.com in Kenya at Capital.com.
Additionally, Capital.com operates through regulated entities authorised by financial regulators including the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, and the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority.
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