President William Ruto has praised the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and Safaricom for launching Ziidi Trader, a mobile-based platform that allows Kenyans to buy and sell shares directly through M-Pesa.

Speaking at the NSE in Nairobi during the official launch, the President described the innovation as a major milestone in expanding access to the capital markets in Kenya, particularly for low-income earners who have historically been excluded.

Ziidi Trader: Buying NSE Shares on Your Phone

Ziidi Trader enables Kenyans to invest in NSE-listed companies using their mobile phones, eliminating many traditional barriers associated with stock market participation. The platform integrates seamlessly with the M-Pesa mobile money ecosystem, making it easier, faster, and more affordable for citizens to trade shares.

According to President Ruto, the initiative aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to create inclusive economic opportunities for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

“It opens the doors of market participation wider than ever before, dismantling long-standing barriers that have locked out many willing investors and bringing opportunity closer to all citizens,” the President said.

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Democratizing Investment and Wealth Creation

The Head of State noted that digital innovation in the capital markets is helping to democratize public assets and transform ownership structures. Ordinary Kenyans can now participate more confidently in wealth creation through simplified access to the stock exchange.

“I believe in the capital markets, and I believe in the potential of the capital market to work with the public sector to unlock the potential of this great nation,” President Ruto said.

He directed the National Treasury to collaborate with capital market stakeholders to eliminate any remaining barriers that could discourage traders from joining Ziidi Trader.

Strong NSE Performance and Key Reforms

President Ruto highlighted that the Nairobi Securities Exchange has recorded one of its strongest performances in over a decade, driven by deliberate government reforms.

One significant reform was the removal of the minimum investment threshold of KSh50,000, which previously limited access to the stock market.

As a result of these measures:

• Total market capitalization expanded by approximately 48%

• The NSE grew from KSh1.968 trillion to about KSh3 trillion within a year

The President expressed optimism that the number of Kenyans participating in the capital markets will increase from the current 200,000 investors to millions in the near future.

“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to build markets that are deep, efficient and accessible, markets capable of financing innovation, empowering enterprise and advancing national priorities,” he said.

Capital Markets as a Pillar of Kenya’s KSh5 Trillion Plan

The government is positioning capital markets as a central pillar in mobilizing funds for its KSh5 trillion national transformation plan. President Ruto emphasized that the strategy aims to finance development without increasing the tax burden or accumulating unsustainable debt.

“We intend to achieve this without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers or accumulating unsustainable debt. That is precisely where our capital markets and platforms such as the NSE become central to the solution,” he said.

Funds channeled through the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund are expected to attract private investment, finance priority projects, and safeguard inter-generational equity.

The President noted that several successful economies have leveraged privatization, capital market reforms, and institutional strengthening to deepen their stock exchanges, attract global capital, and transition from frontier to emerging market status.

Kenya Pipeline IPO: Ordinary Kenyans to Get Priority

As part of ongoing reforms, the government is privatizing the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) through an upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO).

President Ruto encouraged Kenyans to participate in the Kenya Pipeline IPO once it becomes available, emphasizing that ordinary citizens will receive first priority.

He described the IPO as a unique opportunity for Kenyans to own a high-value national asset built over many years.

In addition, the government plans to introduce reforms allowing private shareholders in public entities to sit on boards proportionally to their shareholding, giving them greater influence over company direction and governance.

Treasury and NSE Back Digital Capital Markets

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s capital markets through supportive policies and incentives.

He noted that a more inclusive capital market ensures that economic growth benefits are widely shared.

“When you hear people saying the economy is growing but the benefits are in the hands of a few, it is because the capital market is not inclusive enough to accommodate as many people as possible,” he said.

NSE Chairperson Kiprono Kittony emphasized that digital innovation is central to expanding access to investment opportunities.

“Today we are opening the doors of the Kenyan capital markets to millions of Kenyans, empowering them to engage, invest and grow their wealth through a simple, secure and innovative platform incorporated on the M-Pesa platform,” he said.

Safaricom Chief Finance Officer Dilip Pal added that Ziidi Trader places wealth creation within reach of millions of mobile phone users.

“We invite all Kenyans to move from being observers to active participants in our capital markets,” he said.

The Future of Capital Markets in Kenya

The launch of Ziidi Trader marks a significant step toward financial inclusion, digital investing, and mass participation in Kenya’s stock market. With mobile technology now bridging the gap between citizens and the NSE, the government aims to transform the capital markets into a powerful engine for national development.

As reforms continue and digital platforms expand, millions more Kenyans may soon find themselves actively participating in share trading, IPOs, and long-term wealth creation — directly from their phones.