Building a lasting presence in South Africa

Amid this transformation, Exness is strengthening its long-term presence with the establishment of a new regional office in Cape Town. This move reflects not only confidence in the market but also a broader vision for sustainable, tech-driven growth. In this interview, Exness Regional Commercial Director Paul Margarites discusses why South Africa’s rise is significant, what this expansion signifies for the trading community, and how Exness plans to contribute to shaping the next phase of the region’s financial evolution.

Exness recently announced the opening of its new office in Cape Town. What makes this such an important milestone?
The South African market has always stood out for its maturity, sophistication, and potential. By opening our new office in Cape Town, we’re making a clear statement that we’re here to stay, invest, and grow with the local trading community. This is more than a physical expansion; it’s a commitment to building relationships, supporting talent, and creating value from within the country itself.

Having a local presence allows us to understand our clients on a deeper level. We can see the opportunities and challenges they face every day and respond in real time. For us, proximity builds trust, and trust is at the center of everything we do. It’s what turns good service into lasting partnerships and allows us to create the kind of reliability that traders value most.

“The South African market has incredible potential, and we’re here to be part of its growth story. Opening our Cape Town office is not just an expansion—it’s a long-term investment in people, partnerships, and progress.”

Why was Cape Town chosen as the location?
Cape Town is one of Africa’s most vibrant financial and technological hubs. It reflects the values we hold as a company: innovation, diversity, and ambition. The city offers excellent infrastructure, a strong professional ecosystem, and a deep talent pool that matches Exness’ pace. It’s the perfect environment to establish our South African base and build a regional center of excellence.

Cape Town also has a thriving fintech ecosystem, supported by top universities, an entrepreneurial culture, and global connectivity. It’s no surprise that the city is home to over 500 tech companies and is increasingly recognized as one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for digital finance. Cape Town is a place where quality of life and innovation go hand in hand. Cape Town offers a balance that’s rare: a modern business environment surrounded by natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and a lifestyle that attracts top talent from around the world.

For us, it’s the perfect foundation to build a regional hub—a place where international expertise and local insight meet to create real value for traders.

How does this new office fit into Exness’ broader global strategy?
Every market we enter must deliver real value to our clients, partners, and people. South Africa is a natural extension of our global vision to create a connected, transparent, and reliable trading ecosystem. The office allows us to combine our international experience with local expertise, supporting traders in a way that’s relevant to their environment, needs, and aspirations.

What’s equally important is that we’re not bringing a one-size-fits-all model. We’re adapting to South Africa’s unique context, its regulatory framework, and its culture. That’s how we build relationships that last—through respect for the local market and commitment to the people who shape it.

What can clients expect to gain from this local presence?
The first and most important thing is access: to people, knowledge, and support. When clients reach out, they’ll be speaking with local professionals who understand their market. Having a South African office also improves operational speed and creates a more personalized experience overall.

It’s also about consistency. We’re bringing the same performance standards we’re known for globally: tight spreads, precise execution, and instant withdrawals, but with local expertise to make the experience even more relevant. It’s trust, delivered through presence.

You often mention people as a defining part of Exness’ strategy. How important is local talent in this expansion?
It’s absolutely central. We believe in building from the ground up, hiring, developing, and empowering South Africans to lead this journey. Our goal is to build from within, empowering South African professionals and creating lasting opportunities. The Cape Town office will become home to a growing team of professionals across functions, from client support to operations and business development.

We want to create a workplace that mirrors Exness’ culture of openness and collaboration. It’s not just about jobs, it’s about building careers, fostering innovation, and growing a community of professionals who are proud to represent Exness locally and globally.

“Our goal is to build from within, empowering South African professionals and creating lasting opportunities. This office is more than a workspace; it’s a reflection of who we are as a company: open, transparent, and focused on people.”

What do you see as Exness’ biggest advantage in this market?
Consistency. Traders value stability and reliability, especially in volatile times. Exness has built a reputation for operational excellence, from tight spreads and fast execution to secure and instant withdrawals. But what really sets us apart is our human approach. We listen, adapt, and support, building transparency and long-term relationships.

At the end of the day, trading is about trust. We’ve spent years earning that trust globally, and now we’re here to extend that same reliability and care to South African traders. This combination of performance and empathy is what sets us apart, and it’s what will define our success in South Africa.

Looking ahead, what are your priorities for the first year of the new office?
Our immediate goal is to establish strong foundations: a talented team, a culture of excellence, and efficient operations that deliver value from day one. From there, we’ll focus on expanding awareness and deepening client relationships so traders truly feel the difference of having Exness present in their market.