Kenyan investors can now access cash in real time following the sale of shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, ending the three-day T+3 waiting period that has been standard since 2011.
This milestone has been achieved through Ziidi Trader, a new platform integrated within the M-PESA app, which allows users to trade securities directly without requiring a Central Depository Settlement Corporation account.
Safaricom Plc developed the platform to expand retail participation in Kenya’s capital markets, targeting the vast untapped segment of individual investors and simplifying access to investment opportunities.
The real-time cash settlement is facilitated through strategic partnerships and liquidity arrangements with banking institutions, ensuring that investors can immediately access proceeds from share sales without delays inherent in traditional settlement systems.
Esther Masese Waititu, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, explained that the initiative is part of a broader effort to accelerate market activity while providing seamless trading experiences to retail investors.
During its pilot phase from February 5 to February 10, Ziidi Trader accounted for 7,500 of the 14,900 trades on the NSE, representing 55 percent of total trading volume, and contributed 2 percent of total market value, indicating substantial uptake among early adopters.
Launched officially on February 10, the platform enables investors to track market movements in real time, set price alerts, monitor portfolios, and execute trades directly from their mobile wallet, integrating convenience with comprehensive market insights.
President William Ruto, who attended the launch at the NSE alongside Chairperson Kiprono Kittony, described Ziidi Trader as transformative, noting that it democratizes access to capital markets and empowers citizens, particularly youth and women, to grow wealth through direct investment in shares, bonds, and other securities.
“This platform represents a decisive turning point in how citizens engage with the stock exchange, dismantling long-standing barriers and bringing opportunity closer to all,” Ruto said, emphasizing the role of digital platforms in enhancing inclusive economic participation.
Ziidi Trader operates under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority, ensuring investor protection, transparency, and market integrity while supporting informed long-term investing through clear disclosures and educational guidance.
The platform builds on Safaricom’s existing Ziidi Investment ecosystem, which includes Ziidi MMF for savings and Ziidi Shariah for inclusive, Shariah-compliant investment options.
With Ziidi Trader, the company extends its financial services to fully digital stock market participation, reinforcing its position as a driver of financial inclusion and wealth creation.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, represented at the launch by Chief Finance Officer Dilip Pal, noted that integrating NSE trading into the M-PESA ecosystem allows investors to manage their portfolios, access insights, and execute transactions securely and conveniently.
Frank Mwiti, CEO of NSE, said the platform makes capital markets more accessible to Kenyans locally and abroad, supporting broader economic growth while maintaining investor security and operational reliability.
Investors can access Ziidi Trader via the Financial Services tab on the M-PESA app and begin trading with as little as one share, marking a significant step toward democratizing wealth and broadening participation in Kenya’s capital markets.
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