CEO, Retail FX, CFD Brokerage | Africa

About the opportunity

Our client is a fast-growing retail FX and CFD brokerage built by traders, for traders, focused on the African market with Nigeria as its first and primary base. Operating on MetaTrader 5, the firm serves a rapidly expanding retail client base across forex, commodities, indices, metals and crypto CFDs, with a clear position in an underserved and high-growth segment of the African market.

The founders have built a strong product and real market traction in a short space of time.

They are now making their first external C-suite appointment: an experienced Chief Executive to professionalise the business, build the leadership structure around it, and lead the next phase of growth, including the regulatory licensing for the firm, starting with the FSCA.

This is a genuine build-and-scale mandate for an operator who wants to take a business with strong foundations and shape it into a credible, well-governed brokerage.

What you will own

Full P&L responsibility and the growth strategy across the African market, with Nigeria as the priority.

The regulatory roadmap. You will lead the firm's move into proper financial regulation, including driving the South Africa FSCA licensing process, and building the compliant operating framework around it. The founders are committed to pursuing the right licences and want an experienced CEO to guide that process.

Organisational design. Assess the current business, identify the gaps, and build out functional leadership (Head of Operations, HR, Head of IB), refining the existing tech, compliance, legal and customer support teams.

Governance, policy and operating standards, bringing the discipline of a well-run international brokerage to an ambitious indigenous African brand.

Market leadership. Position the brand to compete credibly in a region where the major international players are active, while staying true to the firm's grassroots strength.

About you

Proven CEO or senior executive experience within a retail FX / CFD brokerage, with a track record of scaling a brokerage business.

Direct experience of taking a broker through a regulatory licensing process (FSCA or comparable) is highly valued. A strong working understanding of brokerage regulation is essential.

Experience of, or genuine understanding of, African and emerging markets. Nigerian market experience is an advantage.

Strong commercial, growth and team-building orientation, with the ability to build structure where little exists.

An international brokerage profile and the credibility to give the brand a global standing.

Fluent English.

Willing to spend an initial period on the ground in Lagos to understand the market, the client base and the team, and to maintain regular presence in Nigeria thereafter. Or can be based permanently in Nigeria or remote as above. 

Budgeted salary range will be discussed with suitable applicants directly and prior to interview to ensure alignment.