Nairobi Securities Exchange Brokers 2025

Written By

James Barra

Edited By

Jemma Grist

Fact Checked By

William Berg

Updated

Dec 9, 2025

Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers facilitate trading the NSE, a leading African exchange based in Kenya and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. Online trading is available for customers around the world via registered Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers, with a variety of instruments and markets, including shares, bonds and derivatives.

This article will explore what the NSE is and how it works, its history and structure, as well as the various indices, top listed companies, requirements and where to find today’s live share prices. It will also explain how you can compare and choose brokers with access to the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Top Nairobi Securities Exchange Brokers

Not many global brokers offer direct access to the Nairobi stock exchange, however you can use funds like the VanEck Africa Index ETF for exposure to Kenyan equities, and these are offered by these top brokers:

1

Interactive Brokers

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in December 2025:

Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.

Interactive Brokers

"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$100
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Stock Exchanges

Interactive Brokers offers trading on 18 stock exchanges:

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Borsa Italiana
CAC 40 Index France
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Euronext
IBEX 35
Japan Exchange Group
Korean Stock Exchange
London Metal Exchange
London Stock Exchange
Nairobi Securities Exchange
Nasdaq
Nasdaq Nordic & Baltics
New York Stock Exchange
Russell 2000
Shenzhen Stock Exchange
Tadawul
Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.

Cons

TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.

Visit Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

Comparing Nairobi Securities Exchange Brokers

Before you start trading on the exchange, you need to choose between Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers. With this comes lots of factors to compare whilst reviewing brokerage firms:

If you want to trade on the move, check whether NSE brokers offer a mobile app. Being able to access the full range of features and functionality of a desktop terminal via a mobile device will be advantageous, meaning you won’t miss out on any opportunities while away from a screen. NSE brokers that offer SMS alerts, customizable interfaces and intuitive navigation will rank highly.

Responsive customer service is another important aspect when comparing Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers. Check that a range of contact options is available, including an email address, phone number and live chat. It will be important to have access to support during market operating hours, particularly for proprietary software help or guidance to set up a new position.

EFG Hermes, for example, provides regional customer support for day traders. So individuals trading the Nairobi Securities Exchange from Kenya can contact the broker via a country-specific phone number, email and postal address.

Open An Account

Once you have chosen one of the top NSE brokers, it’s time to complete the registration process and open an account. You may be required to complete know-your-customer verification at this point and upload proof of address and proof of identity.

Some Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers will permit online-only applications, meaning a quick and efficient way to get started day trading.

Deposit Funds

The next step is to deposit funds into your account. Note, the Nairobi Securities Exchange trades in Kenyan Shillings (KES). Some global Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers may charge currency conversion fees at the latest rates if you are depositing in a currency outside of this. The dollar rate today can be found on Google or other charting and analytics sites. Other fees to consider when comparing brokers that support trading on the Nairobi Securities Exchange include commissions, deposit and withdrawal charges and exchange transaction costs.

The best NSE brokers will be fully transparent when it comes to costs. Francis Drummond, for example, publishes information about charges and commissions for its brokerage services. This also includes information on account minimums, inactivity charges, plus deposit and withdrawal fees.

Research Stocks & Invest

As soon as your account is set up, verified and funded, you are ready to begin trading. Research the various NSE stocks available, check historical data and invest when you feel ready.

As with all trading, profits are not guaranteed so never invest more than you can afford to lose.

What Is The Nairobi Securities Exchange?

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is based in the city of Nairobi, Kenya. Its head offices are located at an address on Westlands Road, Westlands, Nairobi, having moved to a new location and building in May 2013. While it is not one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, it is within the top 10 in Africa and available to trade via several Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers.

The NSE has a market capitalization (cap) of KES 2.248 trillion, or around $20 billion, according to its 2020 annual report. There are around 64 companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Stocks and shares at Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers are listed and traded on its mainboard, under the symbol NSE. The role and function of the Nairobi Security Exchange are to allow investors, young and old, to trade a range of instruments. These include standard stocks, indices such as the All Share Index, ETFs, derivatives (futures and options) and bonds.

Daily price lists can be found on the official website of NSE brokers, so check today to see current prices, latest share performance and top gainers, as well as historical data and share prices, charts and graphs. Stock updates and analysis can also be found on the live data feed provided by Wazua. A variety of online NSE brokers allow customers to trade on the Kenyan market.

Understanding the roles of the Nairobi Securities Exchange in the Kenyan economy is very important. It is one of the key features and benefits of the NSE, enhancing the growth of Kenya’s economy by encouraging savings and investment. Keeping this growth is one of the main challenges facing the exchange.

Nairobi Securities Exchange History

Stocks and shares were first traded in Kenya in the 1920s when it was a part of the British Empire. The market was not formal, as there were no rules and regulations to govern the activities. In 1954, the Nairobi Securities Exchange was setup up as a voluntary association of stockbrokers. Africans were not permitted to trade securities, so the market was confined to the resident European community. After the attainment of independence in 1963, the market opened to all Kenyan residents.

In 1988, the first privatisation occurred through the Nairobi Securities Exchange. 20% of the government shares in Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) were sold to the public, with the government retaining 80% ownership of the bank. In 1994, the NSE 20-Share Index recorded an all-time high of 5030 points.

The largest share issuance in the history of the Nairobi Securities Exchange occurred in 1996, with the privatisation of Kenya Airways. After selling a 26% stake to KLM, the government of Kenya proceeded to offer 51% of Kenya Airways PLC shares to members of the public. More than 110,000 shareholders acquired a stake in the airline as the government reduced its stake from 74% to 23%.

2006 saw the implementation of live investing at the NSE with the addition of automated trading systems. This was furthered in 2007 when the exchange implanted its Wide Area Network (WAN), allowing NSE brokers and investors to conduct trading remotely.

In 2014, the NSE self-listed its own shares on the Main Investment Market Segment of the NSE, after receiving permission to demutualize. It became only the second self-listed African stock exchange, after the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Nairobi Securities Exchange Owners & Management

The shares of the Nairobi Securities Exchange are listed and traded on the exchange’s own board. The primary shareholders (owners) are Standard Chartered Kenya Nominees (21.75% ownership), CFC Stanbic Nominees Kenya Limited (7.67% ownership), the Treasury of Kenya (3.37%) and the Investor Compensation Fund Board (3.37%).

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is governed by its board of directors, which governs all corporate actions. The board is headed by chairman Mr Kiprono Kittony and vice-chairman Mr Paul Mwai. The NSE’s CEO is Mr Geoffrey Odundo, who has a team of executive directors to help deal with the day-to-day management of the exchange. This involves everything such as news announcements, financial statements, performance reviews, dividends announcements for the end of 2025 and the publication of equity statistics.

Structure

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is divided into four market fragments:

Main Investment Market Segment (MIMS): This is the fundamental fragment of the NSE and contains 48 stocks equal to 99.5% of the NSE market cap.
Alternative Investment Market Segment (AIMS): This is the section for medium-sized organizations.
Fixed Income Securities Market Segment (FISMS): This fragment is the market for exchanging fixed pay securities such as corporate and government securities.
Growth Enterprise Market Segment (GEMS): This section has five registered stocks and has less rigid pre-requisites than the other sections.

Note, NSE brokers will not necessarily offer trading on all stocks from the four segments.

Nairobi Securities Exchange Indices

The NSE All-Share Index is the primary index for the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This index represents the performance of all shares listed on the NSE and is the best indicator of the overall performance of the stock exchange. Index graphs are available showing past points from yesterday or as far back as you want to go.

Other indices include:

FTSE NSE Kenya 15 Index
FTSE NSE Kenya 25 Index
FTSE ASEA Pan African Index
FTSE NSE Kenya Govt. Bond Index
NSE 20 Share Index (The mean of the top 20 performing companies each year)
NSE 25 Share Index (represents the performance of Kenyan companies listed on NSE)

Nairobi Securities Exchange Listing Requirements

To be listed on the Main Investment Market Segment of the market with companies and banks like Safaricom (SCOM) and Equity Bank Group Holdings, companies must meet certain criteria. An organisation needs to submit five years of inspected financials, three of which must be productive years. It needs to have KES 50 million worth of completely settled up shares capital and KES 100 million in resources.

Nairobi Securities Exchange Trading Hours

The opening hours of the Nairobi Securities Exchange have changed throughout the years. As it stands, the NSE is open Monday through Friday from 09:30 to 15:00 East Africa Time (GMT +3). Look out for updated operating hours via Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers.

Trading Holidays

Knowing whether a stock exchange is shut for holidays in 2025 or beyond is important for any investor. We have compiled this list of the Nairobi Securities Exchange’s holidays, so you do not have to search for a PDF every day to see if it is open. Additionally, keep an eye on NSE brokers’ published market holiday calendar as these dates should also be reflected here. The list shows each day the exchange is closed:

New Year’s Day – January 1st
Good Friday – April 2nd
Easter – April 5th
Labor Day – May 1st
Eid al-Fitr – May 14th
National Heroes Day – October 20th
Independence Day – December 12th
Christmas – December 25th
Boxing Day – December 26th

Why Trade At NSE Brokers

While you will not find any popular US companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, it does have some interesting and exciting stocks available. NSE brokers present a great opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolios with companies not listed on the top exchanges, such as Safaricom and Kenya Commercial Bank stocks.

Tips

History Matters

It will not happen every time but history can repeat itself. Always research historical data, statistics and trends, as they could indicate the future movement of a stock or asset on the exchange. Look out for Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers that offer state-of-the-art investing technology meaning you can view or overlay historical information onto current market price graphs or charts.

Demo Accounts

The best Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers will offer a demo account. Demo profiles are a great place to complete training before you risk real capital on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. They allow you to learn about the platform and practice strategies completely risk-free.

Follow The News

News announcements can have a big impact on the values of stocks and indices. Stay up-to-date with the latest announcements and financial news so that you can get ahead of the curve with new price movements. This may include updates or changes made by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The top Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers will integrate this within their platform interface or via the customer portal for on-hand, live information.

Bottom Line

The Nairobi Securities Exchange is home to the largest companies in Kenya. While it is not one of the biggest stock exchanges in the world, it should not be overlooked as it represents a great opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolios with exciting stocks at the heart of the Kenyan and African economies. If you want to start trading on the Nairobi Securities Exchange today, follow our step-by-step guide to choosing between platforms and brokers with access to the NSE.

FAQs

What Is The Best Stock To Buy On Nairobi Securities Exchange Brokers?

There is no simple answer as to what the best stock to buy on the Nairobi Securities Exchange is. The top five companies listed usually have the highest trading volume and liquidity, so these could be a good place to start.

Can UK Traders Buy Stock On The Nairobi Securities Exchange Via Online Brokers?

Yes, UK traders can buy stocks and shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Simply open an account with one of the registered Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers that offer access to the exchange to begin.

Is The Nairobi Securities Exchange Worth Investing In?

The Nairobi Securities Exchange may well be worth investing in, depending on your portfolio, risk appetite and goals. The exchange provides access to some different companies not listed on top exchanges and gives investors a chance to diversify their portfolios.

When Is The Nairobi Securities Exchange Open?

The Nairobi Securities Exchange opens for five and a half hours, Monday to Friday. It opens from 09:30 to 15:00 East African Time (GMT+3). This will be reflected in your Nairobi Securities Exchange brokers’ platform.

Is The Nairobi Securities Exchange Open Today?

The Nairobi Securities Exchange closes on nine weekdays each year. It is always closed on weekends. Check our calendar above to see whether it is open today. The best NSE brokers will also list market closures and opening times on their website or platform.