Industry News

Safaricom and NSE Launch Ziidi Trader on M-PESA App, Enabling Mobile Trading of Listed Shares

From Left CEO NSE Mr. Frank Mwiti,Esther Waititu Chief Financial Services Officer, Francis Mwangi CEO and Executive Director of Kestrel Capital (East Africa) George Odo African Senior Partner and Managing Director for East and Southern Africa at AfricInvest and H.E President Hon.William Samoei Ruto PhD C.G.H. during a panel Discussion at the launch the Safaricom Ziidi Trader at Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Westland Nairobi County.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM), in partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), has launched Ziidi Trader, a new investment platform integrated into the M-PESA App that allows Kenyans to buy and sell NSE-listed shares directly from their mobile phones.

The launch marks a major milestone in expanding access to Kenya’s capital markets by leveraging M-PESA’s extensive reach to bring stock market investing closer to millions of users through a secure, easy-to-use, and fully digital experience.

Ziidi Trader operates under the regulatory oversight of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), ensuring investor protection, transparency, and market integrity. The platform also supports informed long-term investing through clear disclosures, market insights, and investor education tools embedded within the app.

Expanding Financial Access Through Digital Investing

The introduction of Ziidi Trader builds on Safaricom’s long-standing commitment to advancing financial access and wellness, while representing the latest evolution of the Ziidi Investment Platform.

Safaricom’s investment journey began with Ziidi Money Market Fund (Ziidi MMF), which promoted disciplined saving and low-risk investing, followed by Ziidi Shariah, which expanded access to inclusive, Shariah-compliant investment options. With Ziidi Trader, Safaricom is extending the platform further by opening direct access to the stock market through a simple, secure, and mobile-first solution.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the platform represents a significant step in democratizing wealth creation for customers, building on M-PESA’s transformative role in Kenya’s economy over the past 18 years.

He noted that the partnership with the NSE enables Safaricom to extend its impact beyond payments and savings into long-term wealth creation, making investing more accessible and convenient for everyday Kenyans.

Seamless NSE Trading Within the M-PESA Ecosystem

By integrating NSE trading directly into the M-PESA ecosystem, Ziidi Trader simplifies the entire investment journey. Customers can buy and sell listed shares, track their investment portfolios, and access market insights without leaving the M-PESA App.

In addition to equities, Ziidi Trader also enables customers to invest in corporate bonds, offering an opportunity to diversify portfolios and explore a broader range of investment options within Kenya’s capital markets.

Nairobi Securities Exchange CEO Frank Mwiti said the partnership with Safaricom is helping bring the stock market closer to everyday Kenyans, both locally and in the diaspora, by removing traditional barriers to entry and simplifying access to capital markets.

He added that making NSE trading available through M-PESA empowers more people to participate actively in Kenya’s economic growth.

Security, Trust, and Investor Protection

With Safaricom’s trusted technology infrastructure and the NSE’s market expertise, Ziidi Trader prioritizes the security of customer investments, data protection, and reliable transaction processing. The platform has been designed to ensure smooth trading experiences while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and risk management.

Customers can access Ziidi Trader through the Financial Services tab on the M-PESA App. After accepting the terms and conditions, users can begin investing from as little as one share, significantly lowering the entry barrier to stock market participation.

Supporting Financial Literacy and Market Modernization

Ziidi Trader aligns with Safaricom’s broader smartphone adoption and digitization agenda, while complementing the NSE’s efforts to modernize market access and promote investment education nationwide.

By simplifying entry into capital markets and integrating trading into a familiar digital ecosystem, the platform contributes to a shared mission between Safaricom and the NSE to grow financial literacy, investment confidence, and inclusive participation across the country.

The collaborative approach is expected to allow Ziidi Trader to evolve further, accommodating more players from across the investment community and expanding product offerings over time.

A New Chapter in Digital Wealth Creation

Now live on the M-PESA App, Ziidi Trader offers millions of Kenyans a modern, reliable, and fully digital pathway to participate in the country’s economic growth.

As Safaricom continues to deepen its focus on financial wellness, Ziidi Trader represents a significant step toward empowering customers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to build long-term wealth through regulated and accessible capital markets.