NAIROBI, Kenya — The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and international financial services provider Clearstream have launched a new market connectivity platform that will allow international investors easier access to Kenyan government securities, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to deepen capital markets and attract foreign investment.
In a statement issued on Thursday, CBK said the newly established Clearstream-Kenya Link will provide institutional investors with efficient access to Kenya’s government bonds, infrastructure bonds, and Treasury bills through the Government Central Securities Depository (DhowCSD).
The initiative is expected to broaden Kenya’s investor base, improve liquidity in the domestic debt market, and strengthen the resilience of the country’s financial system.
According to CBK, Clearstream’s connection to DhowCSD will enable investors to access Kenyan government securities through a unique omnibus account structure, reducing operational barriers that have historically limited participation by global investors.
“This is a significant milestone in developing Kenya’s financial markets,” CBK said in the statement. “The Link is expected to deepen liquidity, broaden the investor base, and enhance resilience of the domestic debt market.”
Clearstream is the post-trade business of Deutsche Börse Group and serves financial institutions across major global markets.
The central bank noted that the development aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy of modernising financial market infrastructure and increasing integration with the global financial system.
CBK said the new arrangement will strengthen Kenya’s position as one of Africa’s leading financial centres while supporting greater financial inclusion and market efficiency.
The launch also represents a major step in the ongoing transformation of the DhowCSD platform, which was introduced to digitise government securities trading and improve access for both institutional and retail investors.
Under the new framework, Kenya becomes Clearstream’s 60th domestic market link globally and only the second in Africa after South Africa.
The development comes as Kenya continues to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening capital markets, improving public debt management and attracting long-term international investment into the economy.
CBK said the partnership builds on ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency, expand digital access to financial products, and support effective monetary policy implementation.
“The Central Bank of Kenya remains committed to upscaling Kenya’s financial market infrastructure to premier status, driving financial inclusion, and anchoring long-term financial stability,” the regulator said.