NAIROBI, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday said it will allow single-unit retail trading of shares to increase the participation of small investors at the market.
In a statement released in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, the NSE said that with the changes effective on Aug. 8, the buying and selling of shares in single units will be allowed as part of its broader initiative to improve access to investment opportunities.
"By enabling single-unit trading, the NSE is providing greater flexibility for investors, reducing entry barriers and encouraging wider participation, particularly from retail investors who have previously found it difficult to invest due to high minimum trade sizes," the NSE said.
Frank Mwiti, chief executive officer of the NSE, said the changes will increase financial inclusion and support the growth of retail investor participation, while also aligning with global best practices in equity trading.
The NSE has been on a rally in 2025, with investor wealth rising by 477 billion Kenyan shillings (about 3.69 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of the year to 2.417 trillion Kenyan shillings, the highest level since mid-2022.
However, the bulk of the investors are institutional, with retail investors' participation at the market standing at a paltry 2.5 percent, according to the NSE. ■