The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has announced a significant expansion of Kenya’s bond market by admitting Investcent Investment Bank as an Authorized Securities Dealer (ASD) in the fixed-income market. This move is part of the NSE’s broader mission to increase liquidity, transparency, and accessibility in Kenya’s fast-growing fixed-income securities sector.
A Game-Changer for Bond Investments
Investcent Investment Bank’s new status as an ASD enables it to actively trade in bonds on the NSE platform, creating more avenues for investment in Kenya’s bond market. This step aligns with NSE’s ongoing reforms aimed at boosting market participation, price discovery, and overall transparency.
Commenting on the landmark development, Frank Mwiti, CEO of the NSE, said:
“The admission of Investcent Investment Bank as an Authorized Securities Dealer is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance the efficiency and liquidity of the NSE bond market. By increasing the number of players in this space, we are expanding the range of options available to investors, enhancing price discovery and increasing market transparency.”
This strategic move supports NSE’s long-term goal of developing a robust fixed-income market that meets the diverse needs of both investors and issuers.
A Tailored Approach to Fixed-Income Solutions
Dr. Peter Onyango, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Investcent Investment Bank, shared that the bank is poised to transform Kenya’s bond market by offering customized fixed-income solutions.
“As a licensed boutique investment bank and alternative investments hedge fund manager, we aim to leverage our partnership with NSE to provide tailored bond solutions that meet the specific needs of our clients.”
He added that Investcent will deliver exceptional services that foster growth and expansion in Kenya’s bond market, further supporting investors with targeted fixed-income products.
Part of a Broader Strategy
This admission is part of a larger strategy by the NSE to broaden access to bonds trading, allowing licensed financial services providers under a hybrid bonds market framework—a key reform approved by the Capital Markets Authority earlier this year. The NSE plans to admit more financial institutions as Authorized Securities Dealers in the coming months to enhance market activity and provide investors with more choices.
