Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved four new licenses in a move aimed at broadening investment opportunities, promoting innovation, and deepening the country’s capital markets.
The regulator said the approvals mark a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and attract more domestic and international investors to Kenya’s capital ecosystem.
The move underscores the Authority’s broader strategy to diversify financial products and enhance market transparency.
Among the new approvals is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Manager License granted to Africa Logistics Properties Limited (ARML).
The license will allow the firm to manage a REIT that focuses on logistics and industrial real estate, a sector gaining momentum as Kenya continues to develop its infrastructure and urban economy.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Affordable Housing Agenda, which seeks to boost affordable housing through private sector-driven capital market financing.
CMA also approved a Coffee Broker License for Wareng Coffee Marketing Agency Limited, a firm owned by Uasin Gishu Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Union Limited.
The license will enable the company to trade coffee on behalf of its members in Uasin Gishu and neighbouring counties, improving market efficiency and ensuring better prices for smallholder farmers.
This is part of Kenya’s wider agricultural reforms that aim to restore transparency and competitiveness in the coffee value chain.
In addition, Cinemark Consult Limited has received authorisation as an Authorised Securities Dealer (ASD).
The license allows the firm to operate in key financial market segments, targeting both local and international investors, including high-net-worth individuals, institutional clients, and diaspora investors.
This development is expected to expand access to diversified investment options and enhance liquidity in the capital markets.
Furthermore, Victoria Wealth Management Limited has been licensed as a Wealth Manager, marking another important step in the evolution of Kenya’s financial advisory landscape.
The company will focus on offering professional investment advice and portfolio management services to investors seeking long-term financial planning solutions.
CMA Chief Executive Officer FCPA Wycliffe Shamiah said the approvals reinforce the Authority’s commitment to fostering innovation and ensuring robust regulatory oversight.
“The Authority remains committed to facilitating innovation, diversification, and market deepening in Kenya’s capital markets,” said Shamiah. “The approval of these licenses demonstrates our focus on enabling new products and participants that expand access to investment opportunities, enhance transparency, and strengthen investor confidence.”
Shamiah added that the new licenses reflect the CMA’s strategic goal of mobilising capital for economic development while safeguarding investor interests through strong regulation.
Kenya’s capital markets have seen increased activity in recent years as the government and regulators pursue reforms to enhance competitiveness within the East African region.
With Nairobi positioning itself as a regional financial hub, the CMA’s new approvals come at a time when the market is experiencing growing interest from institutional investors and global fund managers.
The CMA’s focus on structured and transparent market development is viewed as a critical step toward achieving financial resilience and inclusive growth.
By supporting innovation in real estate and agriculture, two of Kenya’s most strategic sectors, the Authority aims to enhance the country’s ability to finance infrastructure and housing needs without overreliance on public debt.
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