NAIROBI, Kenya — The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the registration of several new collective investment schemes, including unit trusts, special funds, and an alternative investment fund, in a move aimed at broadening investment choices for Kenyan investors.
In a press release issued on Monday, the regulator said the approvals are intended to deepen Kenya’s capital markets by increasing access to regulated savings and investment products across different investor categories.
The new products range from conservative money market funds to actively managed multi-asset investment strategies and alternative investment vehicles.
Among the approved schemes are the Capital A Multi Asset Strategy Special Fund (KES) and Capital A Multi Asset Strategy Special Fund (USD), which will operate under the existing Capital A Unit Trust managed by Capital A Investment Bank Limited.
According to CMA, the funds will pursue actively managed, event-driven multi-asset strategies targeting investors seeking diversified exposure across various asset classes.
The Authority also approved Faida Investment Bank Limited to register the KETSA Alternative Investment Fund under the Capital Markets (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2023.
The fund is expected to invest in private debt, equities, money market instruments, fixed-income securities and other approved assets, with a focus on providing structured liquidity and investment opportunities within the SACCO sector.
In a further expansion of Kenya’s unit trust market, CMA approved EDC Asset Management Kenya Limited to register the EDC Kenya Unit Trust Funds umbrella scheme.
The umbrella scheme comprises five sub-funds: the EDC Kenya Money Market Fund, EDC Kenya Fixed Income Fund, EDC Kenya Dollar Income Fund, EDC Kenya Balanced Fund, and EDC Kenya Equity Fund.
CMA said the products are designed to offer investors varying risk-return profiles ranging from capital preservation to long-term capital growth.
The Authority additionally approved Pergamon Investment Bank Limited to establish the Pergamon Unit Trust Scheme, which will comprise six sub-funds, including Kenya shilling and US dollar money market funds, equity funds, fixed-income products, and diversified income funds.
Also approved was Meridian Asset Management Limited, which received the green light to register the Meridian Asset Management Scheme.
The scheme will launch with one sub-fund — the Meridian Kenya Shilling Total Return Special Fund — targeting investors seeking absolute returns through a combination of capital appreciation and income generation.
Meanwhile, Nabo Capital Limited received approval to convert the Nabo Africa Balanced Fund (USD) into a special fund renamed the Nabo Ubuntu Special Fund.
According to CMA, the revamped fund will pursue long-term capital appreciation through dynamic multi-asset allocation across equities, fixed income, derivatives, commodities, currencies, and fund-of-funds investments.
The regulator said the approvals form part of ongoing efforts to enhance innovation, diversify financial products, and strengthen participation in Kenya’s capital markets.
CMA also advised investors to familiarise themselves with investment schemes before committing funds and to transact only through licensed and approved capital market intermediaries.
