MansaMarkets
Closed
NSE Kenya · Kenya

Best Stockbrokers in Kenya

Kenya's NSE is East Africa's most active market. Account opening became dramatically easier in 2026 with the Hisa and Dosikaa apps making CDS account creation paperless and free. For larger or institutional capital, traditional Kenyan stockbrokers continue to dominate, most with dedicated diaspora desks.

Regulator: Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Kenya
Depository: Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC)

7 regulated brokers covering NSE Kenya

Every broker listed below is licensed by Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Kenya. We do not rank them — order is informational only. Always verify current licensing on the regulator's website before opening an account.

Hisa

Fintech App

Mobile app partnered with CDSC and multiple stockbrokers. Paperless and free CDS account opening in 15–20 minutes. Covers NSE Kenya equities and bonds.

Best for:
First-time retail investors and diaspora wanting fast onboarding
Mobile app:
Yes
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit Hisa →

Dosikaa

Fintech App

Mobile-first Kenyan investment app supporting NSE equities, money-market funds, and bonds. Streamlined remote onboarding for diaspora.

Best for:
Retail investors wanting equities + savings in one app
Mobile app:
Yes
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit Dosikaa →

Standard Investment Bank (SIB)

Traditional Broker

One of Kenya's oldest stockbrokers. Strong research desk, full advisory, and a dedicated diaspora investment team.

Best for:
Larger portfolios, advisory clients, research-led investing
Mobile app:
Yes
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit Standard Investment Bank (SIB) →

AIB-AXYS Africa

Traditional Broker

Full-service investment bank and stockbroker. Pan-African research coverage. Remote onboarding for diaspora.

Best for:
Investors who want pan-African research alongside NSE access
Mobile app:
No
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit AIB-AXYS Africa →

Dyer & Blair Investment Bank

Traditional Broker

Long-established Kenyan stockbroker and investment bank covering NSE equities, fixed income, and corporate advisory.

Best for:
Institutional and high-net-worth investors
Mobile app:
No
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit Dyer & Blair Investment Bank →

NCBA Investment Bank

Bank-Affiliated

Bank-owned investment bank offering NSE brokerage alongside banking and treasury services. Useful if you already bank with NCBA.

Best for:
Existing NCBA banking clients and HNW investors
Mobile app:
Yes
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit NCBA Investment Bank →

Sterling Capital

Traditional Broker

Independent Kenyan stockbroker and investment bank, with stockbroking, asset management, and corporate finance arms.

Best for:
Investors wanting an independent (non-bank) broker
Mobile app:
No
Access:
Foreign investors welcome
Visit Sterling Capital →

How to open an account on the NSE Kenya

  1. 1

    Open a CDS account

    The Central Depository System holds all NSE shares electronically. Open one through a CDSC-licensed Kenyan stockbroker. Hisa and Dosikaa do this digitally in under 20 minutes.

  2. 2

    Get a KRA PIN

    The Kenya Revenue Authority PIN is your tax ID. Non-residents apply for a non-resident KRA PIN on the iTax portal with a passport.

  3. 3

    Choose a broker

    Fintech apps (Hisa, Dosikaa) are fastest for retail. Traditional stockbrokers (SIB, AIB-AXYS Africa, Dyer & Blair) offer research and advisory and are the route for larger sums.

  4. 4

    Flag your account category

    On your CDS, declare whether you are Local Individual, Foreign Investor (FI), or Institutional. This determines withholding tax treatment on dividends.

KYC documents you'll need

  • Valid passport
  • KRA PIN certificate (non-resident PIN for diaspora)
  • Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement under 3 months old)
  • Signed CDS account application
  • Source-of-funds declaration

Fees and tax

Dividend withholding tax — residents5%
Dividend withholding tax — non-residents10%
Capital gains tax on NSE-listed equityHistorically exempt — confirm current Finance Act
Typical brokerage commission0.7% – 1.8%

Fees and tax rates are indicative and change. Verify current rates with your broker and the latest Finance Act before transacting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open an NSE account from outside Kenya?

Yes. Hisa and Dosikaa offer 100% remote onboarding. Most traditional brokers also have diaspora desks that handle remote KYC.

What's the minimum to start investing on the NSE?

Hisa and Dosikaa accept deposits from KES 100 (under $1). Traditional brokers typically expect KES 10,000+ minimums.

How much tax do non-residents pay on NSE dividends?

10% withholding tax as a final tax. The US and Kenya do not have a comprehensive income tax treaty, so the full 10% applies for US-based diaspora.

Can I trade NSE stocks via M-Pesa?

Yes. Since January 2026, NSE shares can be traded directly through M-Pesa via the Ziidi Trader feature in partnership with select brokers.

Keep going