Nairobi Securities Exchange to Allow Single-Share Trades From Aug 8
TLDR
- Starting August 8, 2025, the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will allow investors to buy and sell shares in units as small as one
- The change is part of a broader effort to increase market accessibility for retail and first-time investors
- Previously, the cost to enter certain stocks, such as Standard Chartered or Kakuzi, could exceed KES 30,000 due to the board lot rules
Starting August 8, 2025, the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will allow investors to buy and sell shares in units as small as one, scrapping the previous minimum requirement of 100 shares per transaction. The change is part of a broader effort to increase market accessibility for retail and first-time investors.
Announced in a statement on July 29, the NSE confirmed that all equity trades will now be executed through the Main Order Book, eliminating the Odd Lot Board—a separate platform used for transactions below 100 shares that faced low liquidity and inconsistent pricing.
Previously, the cost to enter certain stocks, such as Standard Chartered or Kakuzi, could exceed KES 30,000 due to the board lot rules. The new framework lowers that barrier, enabling wider participation. The official closing price, however, will only update if at least 100 shares are traded during a session.
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Points clés à retenir
The NSE’s move to allow single-share trading marks a significant shift in Kenya’s capital markets strategy, targeting the expansion of its retail investor base. By eliminating the board lot restriction, the exchange lowers the cost of entry and aligns trading rules with global practices in markets like the U.S., U.K., and South Africa. This reform is expected to attract younger, first-time investors and the Kenyan diaspora—many of whom are looking to invest modest amounts in local companies. It also simplifies price discovery by eliminating the Odd Lot Board, which had previously distorted market signals due to thin trading and pricing discrepancies. While the official closing price will still rely on trades of 100 shares or more, the broader effect is increased liquidity and transparency across the exchange. The NSE has set a goal of growing active investor accounts from 2 million to 9 million by 2029. This rule change represents a foundational step toward that target and a signal that Kenya’s capital markets are evolving to accommodate a more inclusive investor base.
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