The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) have issued two key licenses to strengthen market liquidity and governance.
The approvals cover Fintrust Securities Limited as an Authorised Securities Dealer (ASD) and Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited as a Corporate Trustee.
Fintrust Admitted as ASD to Boost Bond Market Liquidity
The NSE has admitted Fintrust Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Fincorp Credit, as an ASD in Kenya’s fixed-income market.
As an ASD, Fintrust will quote bid and offer prices while facilitating bond trading on the NSE platform. According to NSE CEO Frank Mwiti, “Welcoming Fintrust as an ASD is a critical step towards enhancing the liquidity and efficiency of the NSE’s bond market. This inclusion broadens the pool of market participants and strengthens price discovery and market transparency.”
“Fintrust Securities Ltd is thrilled to gain admission as an Authorised Securities Dealer by the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). This milestone marks a significant step towards revolutionizing the bond market, driving financial inclusion, and fostering growth in Kenya’s bond market. Through this partnership, we aim to unlock new opportunities for investors, issuers, and the financial sector while enhancing market efficiency and vibrancy.”
Gibson Wachaga, CEO of Fintrust, noted
Notably, the bond market grew sharply in the first half of 2025. The NSE reported a 77.96% rise in turnover, reaching KSh 1.3 trillion, up from KSh 560 billion during the same period in 2024. This performance is linked to recent reforms aimed at improving market accessibility.
Stanbic Bank Licensed as Corporate Trustee to Safeguard Investor Interests
In a separate move, the CMA licensed Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited as a Corporate Trustee under Regulation 31 of the 2023 Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) Regulations. Corporate trustees play a key role in protecting investors by monitoring fund managers, enforcing compliance, and overseeing governance standards.
Stanbic Bank’s entry expands the trustee pool and strengthens oversight in a rapidly growing CIS sector. By mid-2025, assets under management had surpassed KSh 500 billion, driven by increasing retail participation and wider product offerings.
These approvals are part of a broader push to modernize Kenya’s capital markets. Earlier in July, the CMA cleared several new collective investment schemes and sub-funds.
