The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has announced the admission of additional ordinary shares for two of Kenya’s oldest agricultural firms, Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea Kenya Plc, marking a significant step in enhancing market liquidity and investor participation in the country’s capital markets.
The move follows approval by both the NSE and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), paving the way for thousands of new shares to be officially listed and traded on the exchange.
This initiative emphasizes the relevance of Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea in Kenya’s economic landscape.
Two of Kenya’s most established tea producers announced plans to issue bonus shares to their shareholders. The boards of both companies confirmed in a public statement that shareholders would receive one bonus share for every existing share held.
According to the NSE statement, Williamson Tea Kenya Plc will see an additional 17,512,640 ordinary shares admitted to its Main Investment Market Segment. Each share carries a par value of KSh5, with an allotment ratio of one new ordinary share for every one fully paid ordinary share held. The book closure date for this corporate action was 13th October 2025.
Meanwhile, Kapchorua Tea Kenya Plc, the sister company to Williamson Tea, will add 7,824,000 new ordinary shares to its listing under the SME Market Segment, also at a par value of KSh5 per share, and an identical one-for-one allotment structure. The same book closure date of 13th October 2025 applies.
The NSE noted that the approval and listing of these additional shares are expected to enhance market liquidity, a key factor in promoting investor confidence and deepening Kenya’s capital markets.
The twin listings could also attract a new wave of institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to Kenya’s agricultural export sector, particularly tea, which remains one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners.
The announcement comes at a time when the Nairobi Securities Exchange is actively pursuing initiatives to boost market activity amid sluggish trading volumes seen in recent years.
The listing of new shares by long-established companies like Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea aligns with efforts to revitalize investor engagement and diversify portfolio opportunities across market segments.
Founded in the early 20th century, both Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea have been central players in Kenya’s tea industry for decades, producing some of the country’s most recognized tea brands for domestic and international markets.
Kenya is the world’s largest exporter of black tea, with the sector contributing significantly to the economy through export earnings and job creation. However, the industry has faced pressures from fluctuating global prices, climate change, and rising production costs.
Despite these headwinds, Williamson Tea Kenya and Kapchorua Tea Kenya have continued to report strong fundamentals, supported by strategic cost management and diversified tea products. By issuing bonus shares, the companies are signaling optimism about their financial health and the sector’s long-term prospects.
By offering additional shares, both companies aim to increase their capital base and enhance shareholder value, providing flexibility for future expansion, modernization, and sustainability projects within their plantations and processing facilities.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange has been pushing to expand listings and attract new issuers across various sectors, including agriculture, fintech, and manufacturing.
The latest admissions underscore the exchange’s efforts to promote market inclusivity, ensuring both large and mid-sized firms have access to capital markets as a source of financing.
As the NSE continues to modernize trading systems and enhance regulatory frameworks, such listings are expected to contribute to the overall health and competitiveness of Kenya’s financial markets.
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