GBOT, a Mauritius based multi-asset exchange offering commodity & currency derivative products began operations on Monday (18/10/10) joining SAFEX (South Africa) & ECX (Ethiopia) as one of the fully operational pan-african commodity exchanges.

Interestingly enough, the USD/KES futures contract which was one of the pairs listed on the website, and was priced in the board's morning note as recent as last month, seems to have been dropped.

Find a list of products on offer below... (Currently 7)

http://www.gbot.mu//MarketData/Index.aspx

Low activity & volumes are to be expected as its still in it's infancy....but it should be interesting to see how this unfolds.

The GBOTGOLD - Gold Futures Contract has a size of 32 Troy ounces (almost similar to CME's E-Mini Gold at 33.2)...intrestingly enough, SAFEX Gold contract has a size of 10 troy ounces [200 contracts minimum] so if you are a retail investor looking to speculate, you might be better served in South Africa.

Links:

http://www.ecx.com.et/KnowledgeCenter.aspx

http://www.jse.co.za/Pro...ld_Futures_Options.aspx

http://www.gbot.mu//Docu...roduct-leaflet-gold.pdf

https://crm.exordia.co.za/ace/rules.htm


Kenyan initiatives.....

http://www.atbltd.com/ { Mombasa Tea Auction}

http://www.kacekenya.co.ke/section.asp?ID=66 (register to access market data)