(2 Steps) How do I invest in the US stock market in Africa?

(2 Steps) How do I invest in the US stock market in Africa? – There are two basic avenues for Africans to invest in the US stock market.

You have two options: do it yourself (DIY) or invest. You must discover an internet brokerage business that will accept you depending on your nation of residency in order to do so.

This is simple if you reside in several of Africa’s more prosperous countries.

It is more difficult if you reside in a poorer nation or if you are an expat looking to relocate from one country to another.

If you relocate frequently, the chances of a stockbroker accepting and keeping your account open are lower.

When one of my colleagues resided in South Africa, he got a DIY account.

He works for a non-profit organization. When he relocated to the Ivory Coast and later to Ethiopia, his stockbroker informed him that his account will be canceled since the nations in issue were not supported.

If you do discover a DIY brokerage that will accept you, you must complete out an online application form and provide anti-money laundering documentation such as proof of address and identification.

Then comes the difficult part: you must exchange the instruments you desire.

Long-term, most people suffer in this area. The Vanguard organization has conducted various studies in which they evaluate how DIY investors do when investing in Vanguard ETFs and funds with those who invest through an adviser.

They discovered that, even when the identical funds are employed, advisers may greatly increase the client’s net returns:

Emotions are a major factor for the above. As the graph below demonstrates, the average investor lags well behind the market:

During the 2020 market drops, an estimated 35% of DIY investors panic sold.

All you have to do is look at all the terrified questions on Quora to understand that 35% is an understatement!

Try DIY if you believe you can regulate your emotions over time, something only around 20% of individuals can accomplish in reality.

If not, get an advisor who can accept for the African country where you live.