Safaricom Partners with the Nairobi Securities Exchange to Launch Ziidi Trader

Investors can now trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange directly through their M-PESA mobile money wallets, opening up the stock markets to millions of Kenyans.

This is after Safaricom in partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) unveiled Ziidi Trader, a new platform on the M-PESA app that enables users to buy and sell shares in listed companies directly from their mobile money wallets.

The launch represents a significant step in expanding access to capital markets, leveraging M-PESA’s scale to bring investing closer to millions of Kenyans through a secure and easy-to-use mobile experience.

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 investor education.

Safaricom is working with Kestrel Capital to process trades on the mobile money transfer service.

This means that investors under Ziidi will not need individual CDS accounts, as M-PESA pools funds from multiple investors into a single account managed by Kestrel.

This is expected to facilitate faster share trading while also reducing trading costs.

Speaking during the launch at the NSE, President William Ruto hailed the initiative as transformative, saying it will democratise capital markets, allowing those at the bottom of the economic pyramid to grow wealth.

“This platform represents a decisive turning point in how citizens engage with the stock exchange. 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,” President Ruto said.

He added that through the seamless integration of stock trading into the M- PESA platform, millions of Kenyans, especially youth and women, will gain simple, affordable, and convenient access to investments in shares, bonds, and other products listed on the NSE.

The launch marks the latest milestone in the evolution of the Ziidi Investment Platform.

Safaricom began this journey with Ziidi MMF, which encouraged disciplined saving and investment, followed by Ziidi Shariah, offering inclusive, Shariah?compliant options.

With Ziidi Trader, Safaricom is expanding the platform even further, giving customers access to the stock market through a simple, secure, and fully digital experience.

“Ziidi Trader is a powerful step in democratizing wealth for our customers. For 18 years, M PESA has transformed how Kenyans live, work and do business. Today, in partnership with the NSE, we are extending that impact to how our customers build and grow their wealth. Our ambition is to be a trusted partner in powering digital lifestyles, making investing simple, convenient and accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.

By integrating NSE trading into the M-PESA ecosystem, Ziidi Trader simplifies the investment journey, allowing customers to buy and sell shares, monitor their portfolios and access market insights seamlessly within the M-PESA App.

“Partnering with Safaricom is helping us bring the stock market closer to everyday Kenyans,” said Frank Mwiti, CEO, Nairobi Securities Exchange.

“By making NSE trading available through M-PESA, we are making it easier for more people, both locally and abroad to invest and play an active role in Kenya’s economic growth,” he added.

Ziidi Trader also lets customers invest in corporate bonds, providing an easy and secure way to expand their portfolios and explore new opportunities in Kenya’s financial markets.

M-PESA customers can access Ziidi Trader on the M-PESA App under the Financial Services tab. Upon accepting the terms and conditions, they can start investing from as little as one share.

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

By simplifying access and complementing the existing ecosystem, Ziidi Trader contributes to a shared mission of growing financial literacy and investment confidence nationwide.

Ziidi Trader is now live on the M PESA app, offering millions of Kenyans a modern, reliable and fully digital way to participate in the country’s economic growth.