Safaricom has unveiled Ziidi Trader, a new feature inside the M-PESA app that enables users to buy and sell Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) shares directly from their mobile wallet.
The platform includes watchlists, price alerts, and portfolio tracking. The platform is expected to lower barriers to stock market participation and expand retail activity on the exchange.
Speaking during the launch at NSE, President William Ruto hailed the initiative as transformative, saying that it will democratize capital markets, allowing those at the bottom of the economic pyramid to grow wealth in capital markets.
“This platform represents a decisive turning point in how citizens engage with the stock exchange. It opens the doors of the market participation wider than ever before, dismantling long-standing barriers that have locked out many willing investors and bringing opportunity closer to all citizens,” 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 NSE,placing the tools of ownership and growth directly in their hands.
“I challenged the capital markets to democratise access through innovation and technology. Today, I am pleased to note that this challenge has been answered. The Safaricom Ziidi Trader clearly demonstrates what becomes possible when private sector innovation aligns with public purpose and national vision.”
He defended the government’s decision to private some state agencies like Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC), saying that these reforms are directly linked to broader national development priorities.
He detailed the government’s agenda for the next 10 years, including the dualling of 2,500 kilometres of highways; tarmacking an additional 28,000 kilometres of roads and increasing installed energy capacity from 3,300 megawatts to at least 10,000 megawatts.
Others are construction of 50 mega dams, 200 mini-dams, and 1,000 micro-dams to bring at least 2.5 million acres under irrigation.
He said that delivering this scale of transformation requires mobilising close to Sh5 trillion, and intends to achieve this without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers or accumulating unsustainable debt.
“That is precisely where our capital markets and platforms, such as the NSE, become central to the solution.”
Ziidi Trader operates under the oversight of CMA, ensuring investor protection, transparency, and market integrity, while supporting informed long-term investing through clear disclosures and investor education.
The launch builds on Safaricom’s commitment to champion financial access and wellness and 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 eighteen years, M-Pesa has transformed how Kenyans live, work and do business,” Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, represented at the event by chief finance officer, Dilip Pal, said.
“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.”
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,” Frank Mwiti, CEO, NSE said.
“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 keeps customer’s investments safe, your data protected, and your transactions running smoothly every step of the way.
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.
