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Nairobi Securities Exchange Sees Unprecedented Surge in Equity Trades. The Nairobi Securities Exchange has witnessed a remarkable surge in equity trades following the launch of Safaricom’s retail-focused Ziidi trading platform. Since pilot trading began on February 5, the number of daily deals has skyrocketed, with a record 25,773 trades recorded on February 11. This sudden increase in activity has left market analysts and investors alike wondering about the implications of this new platform, which has opened buying and selling shares to nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform.
Trading Volumes Soar on Nairobi Exchange
The Nairobi Securities Exchange has witnessed a significant surge in trading volumes following the launch of Safaricom’s retail-focused Ziidi trading platform. The platform has made it easier for nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform to buy and sell shares, effectively stripping away layers of form-filling and investment minimums. As a result, the daily number of deals has more than doubled since pilot trading started on Ziidi on 5 February.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Retail revolution on Nairobi Exchange |
| Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Location | Nairobi Securities Exchange, Nairobi |
| Key People/Organizations involved | Safaricom, Nairobi Securities Exchange |
| Status/Current Situation | Ongoing |
| Number of Trades | 24,357 (February 12) |
| Value of Equities Traded | KES 2.4 billion (February 10) |
| Most Actively Traded Share | Kenya Power |
| NSE All Share Index | 213.02 (February 12) |
According to the Nairobi Securities Exchange daily report, there were 24,357 trades yesterday, 12 February, and 25,773 trades in equities on 11 February, the highest ever recorded on the Nairobi bourse. The most actively traded shares were Kenya Power with 3,039 trades, followed by Safaricom with 2,921 trades. Other active counters included KenGen, Absa, Co-op Bank, Equity, KCB, CIC, Kenya Airways, and Britam.
The value of equities traded on the NSE has also seen a notable increase, with KES 2.4 billion ($18.9m) recorded on 10 February, KES 1.8 billion on 11 February, and KES 1.3 billion on 12 February. The NSE All Share Index has also been on the rise, closing at 213.02 on 12 February, up from 209.65 the day before.
Safaricom’s Ziidi at the Heart of the Surge
The launch of Safaricom’s retail-focused Ziidi trading platform has marked a significant shift in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, with the number of equity trades doubling or tripling since its pilot start on February 5. The platform has opened buying and selling shares to nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform, stripping away layers of form-filling and investment minimums. This move has led to a substantial increase in daily trades, with 24,357 trades recorded on February 12 and 25,773 trades in equities on February 11, the highest ever recorded on the Nairobi bourse.
The daily number of deals has soared since the pilot trading started on Ziidi, with 8,713 deals on day one, 12,893 on February 6, 14,300 on February 9, and 15,700 mid-session on February 11 before closing even higher. The NSE recorded KES 2.4 billion ($18.9m) in value of equities traded on February 10, KES 1.8 billion on February 11, and KES 1.3 billion on February 12. The most actively traded share was Kenya Power with 3,039 trades, followed by Safaricom with 2,921 trades.
The NSE continues to soar to new heights, with the NSE All Share Index closing at 213.02 on February 12, up from 209.65 the day before. The index has seen a strong climb in prices from a low of below 86 in November 2023, with five stocks at all-time highs.
Market Impact and Implications
The surge in equity trades on the Nairobi Securities Exchange has led to a significant increase in market activity, with the daily number of deals doubling or tripling since the launch of Safaricom’s retail-focused Ziidi trading platform. The platform has opened up buying and selling shares to nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform, removing layers of form-filling and investment minimums. This has led to a structural lift in participation, rather than a temporary spike, as the number of daily trades has consistently increased since the platform’s launch.
The impact of Ziidi on the market is evident in the trading volumes, with the Nairobi Securities Exchange recording KES 2.4 billion ($18.9m) in value of equities traded on 10 February, KES 1.8 billion on 11 February, and KES 1.3 billion on 12 February. The most actively traded shares were Kenya Power with 3,039 trades, followed by Safaricom with 2,921 trades, and other active counters included KenGen, Absa, Co-op Bank, Equity, KCB, CIC, Kenya Airways, and Britam.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange continues to soar to new heights, with the NSE All Share Index closing at 213.02 on 12 February, up from 209.65 the day before. This strong climb in prices has been a trend since November 2023, when the index was below 86. The increase in market activity and trading volumes is a clear indication of the impact of Ziidi on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Regulatory Response and Oversight
The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is closely monitoring the rapid growth in equity trades on its platform, which has seen a significant increase since the launch of Safaricom’s retail-focused Ziidi trading platform. As the number of trades continues to soar, the NSE is likely to review its regulatory framework to ensure that it is equipped to handle the increased activity. The NSE has a robust regulatory framework in place to ensure the integrity and stability of the market.
The NSE has also expressed its commitment to providing a fair and transparent trading environment for all participants. In light of the increased activity, the exchange may need to consider implementing measures to prevent market manipulation and ensure that all trades are executed fairly. The NSE has a dedicated team that monitors market activity and takes swift action to address any irregularities.
The NSE’s regulatory response will be crucial in maintaining investor confidence and ensuring that the market continues to grow in a sustainable manner. As the market continues to evolve, the NSE will need to balance the need for regulation with the need to facilitate innovation and growth. The NSE has a reputation for being a leader in regulatory innovation in Africa.
Future Outlook for Nairobi Exchange
The Nairobi Securities Exchange is poised for continued growth, driven by the increasing popularity of the Ziidi trading platform. Launched by Safaricom, Ziidi has made it easier for nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform to buy and sell shares. This has resulted in a significant surge in equity trades, with the daily number of deals doubling or tripling since the platform’s pilot launch on February 5.
The impact of Ziidi is evident in the trading volumes, which have soared to new heights. On February 11, the Nairobi bourse recorded its highest ever daily trades in equities, with 25,773 trades worth KES 1.8 billion ($18.9m). The most actively traded shares were Kenya Power, Safaricom, and KenGen, with 3,039, 2,921, and 1,844 trades respectively. The NSE All Share Index has also continued to climb, closing at 213.02 on February 12, up from 209.65 the day before.
As the trading volumes continue to rise, the Nairobi Securities Exchange is likely to experience a structural lift in participation, rather than a temporary spike. This shift is expected to have a lasting impact on the market, with the potential for increased liquidity and more investors participating in the stock market. With the Ziidi platform continuing to gain traction, the future outlook for the Nairobi Exchange looks promising, with the potential for further growth and development in the months to come. The NSE All Share Index has climbed significantly since November 2023, when it was below 86.
Investor Reactions and Sentiment
Investors are hailing the retail revolution on the Nairobi Securities Exchange as a game-changer, with the number of equity trades doubling or tripling since Safaricom launched its retail-focused Ziidi trading platform. The platform has opened up buying and selling shares to nearly 38 million active subscribers of Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform, stripping away layers of form-filling and investment minimums. As a result, the daily number of deals has soared, with 24,357 trades recorded yesterday and 25,773 trades in equities on 11 February, the highest ever recorded on the Nairobi bourse.
The surge in trading activity has been met with enthusiasm from investors, who are taking advantage of the simplified process to buy and sell shares. The most actively traded shares have been Kenya Power, Safaricom, and KenGen, with Kenya Power seeing 3,039 trades. This shift marks a clear break from the recent norm of roughly 4,000–7,800 daily trades recorded between October and January, suggesting a structural lift in participation rather than a temporary spike.
The impact of Ziidi on the Nairobi Securities Exchange is evident in the rising value of equities traded, with KES 2.4 billion ($18.9m) recorded on 10 February, KES 1.8 billion on 11 February, and KES 1.3 billion on 12 February. As the NSE continues to soar to new heights, investors are optimistic about the future prospects of the exchange, with the NSE All Share Index closing at 213.02 on 12 February, up from 209.65 the day before.
