NAIROBI — Kenyans will soon be able to buy and sell shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) directly through M-PESA, bypassing traditional stockbroker accounts, thanks to a new feature being rolled out by Safaricom.
Previously, investing in stocks required opening a Central Depository System (CDS) account through a licensed stockbroker, funding that account, and placing orders via the broker’s trading platform — a process that could be time-consuming and costly for first-time investors.
But with the Ziidi Trader feature — currently being piloted within the M-PESA app — ordinary mobile money users will soon be able to participate in Kenya’s capital markets with just a few taps on their phones.
What Is Ziidi Trader?
Ziidi Trader is a new mobile stock-trading feature built directly into the M-PESA platform that lets users browse, buy, sell and track NSE-listed shares using their M-PESA wallets.
Unlike traditional share trading, investors will not need to open a separate trading account or go through stockbroker onboarding.
Instead, trades will be facilitated through an omnibus trading account managed by licensed intermediaries, while funds move instantly between users’ M-PESA wallets and the NSE.
The platform also includes tools such as portfolio overviews, price alerts, watchlists and real-time performance tracking — all inside the familiar M-PESA environment.
Expected Rollout Timeline
The pilot programme is being finalised, with regulators and market participants targeting a full national launch from January 2026.
Safaricom and the NSE say the initiative aims to dramatically widen retail investor participation, which has remained relatively low compared with the number of potential investors in the country.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Once Rolled Out)
Although official step-by-step details are still being finalised, the expected process will generally involve:
- Open or update your M-PESA app — ensure you have the latest version with the Ziidi Trader feature enabled.
- Access the Ziidi Trader section — within the M-PESA app or M-PESA menu, select the stock-trading feature.
- Browse listed stocks — search for NSE-listed companies you want to invest in.
- Enter your investment amount — specify how much to invest; funds will be deducted from your M-PESA wallet.
- Confirm your trade — once confirmed, the purchase will be executed and reflected in your portfolio.
Benefits of Using M-PESA for NSE Investing
- Easy access: With over 30 million M-PESA users nationwide, millions of Kenyans may gain stock market access without learning complicated brokerage procedures.
- Low barriers to entry: Users may be able to invest with relatively small amounts using their mobile money wallets.
- Integrated tools: Portfolio tracking, watchlists and alerts make it easier for beginner investors to manage their holdings.
- What Still Applies: Know Before You Invest
Even with simplified access, basic investment principles still apply: understanding company fundamentals, market risks and price volatility remains crucial.
Investors are also advised to research and only invest money they can afford to lose.
