Safaricom, NSE launch Ziidi Trader to expand retail access to capital markets
Safaricom PLC has partnered with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) to roll out Ziidi Trader, a new service embedded in the M-PESA app that allows Kenyans to buy and sell NSE-listed shares directly from their mobile phones.
The launch marks a major push to widen participation in Kenya’s capital markets by leveraging the scale and familiarity of M-PESA to deliver a secure, user-friendly investing experience to millions of customers.
Ziidi Trader operates under the supervision of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), a framework that Safaricom says ensures investor protection, transparency, and market integrity. The platform also incorporates disclosures and investor education tools aimed at supporting long-term, informed investing.
The new service is the latest addition to Safaricom’s growing Ziidi Investment Platform. The company first introduced Ziidi MMF to promote disciplined saving and investment, followed by Ziidi Shariah, which offers Shariah-compliant investment options. Ziidi Trader now extends the platform to equities and corporate bonds, giving customers direct access to the stock market through a fully digital channel.
“Ziidi Trader is a powerful step in democratizing wealth for our customers,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom PLC.
“For eighteen 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 by making investing simple, convenient, and accessible to everyone, everywhere.”
By integrating NSE trading into the M-PESA ecosystem, Ziidi Trader enables users to buy and sell shares, track their portfolios, and access market insights without leaving the app.
“Partnering with Safaricom is helping us bring the stock market closer to everyday Kenyans,” said Frank Mwiti, Chief Executive Officer of the 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.”
Safaricom noted that the platform combines its trusted technology with the NSE’s market expertise to safeguard investments, protect customer data, and ensure reliable transaction processing. In addition to equities, Ziidi Trader allows customers to invest in corporate bonds, offering another avenue for portfolio diversification.
M-PESA customers can access Ziidi Trader through the Financial Services tab on the M-PESA app. After accepting the terms and conditions, users can begin investing from as little as one share.
The platform aligns with Safaricom’s broader smartphone adoption and digitization agenda, while complementing the NSE’s efforts to modernize market access and strengthen investment education. Both institutions say the collaboration is designed to grow financial literacy, boost investor confidence, and gradually bring more participants into the formal investment ecosystem.
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 and build long-term wealth.