Investing in Kenya has become easier than ever.

You no longer need to visit an investment office every time you want to put money into a money market fund, Treasury bill or other investment product. Several platforms now allow Kenyans to start investing using a smartphone.

But there is an important distinction between an investment app and a regulated investment product.

An attractive app does not automatically mean your money is safe. Before investing, you should check who operates the platform, which institution manages your money, whether the product is regulated, what fees apply and what risks you are taking.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) maintains an official register of licensed capital-market institutions and approved collective investment schemes.

This guide looks at some of the most useful investment apps and digital investment platforms available to Kenyan investors in 2026, with particular attention to regulation, fees, accessibility and risk.

Important: This is educational information, not personalised financial advice. Investment returns are not guaranteed unless specifically stated by the relevant product, and past performance does not guarantee future results.

Best Investment Apps in Kenya at a Glance

Platform/App	Main investment access	Best for	Regulation/official status
DhowCSD	Treasury bills and bonds	Government securities	Central Bank of Kenya
Ziidi	Money Market Fund	M-PESA users seeking simple investing	CMA-approved CIS
Mali	Money Market Fund	M-PESA-based investing	CMA-approved CIS
Chumz	Collective investment schemes	Automated savings/investing	CMA-licensed ISPP
Bank & investment apps	Funds, shares and other products	Existing bank customers	Depends on licensed institution
Brokerage platforms	NSE-listed shares and other securities	Stock investors	Use CMA-licensed broker/investment bank

The important point is that these platforms do not all offer the same type of investment.

A money market fund is different from a Treasury bill. Buying shares is different from investing in a bond fund. The right platform therefore depends on what you are trying to achieve.

1. DhowCSD — Best for Treasury Bills and Bonds

If your main objective is investing directly in Kenyan government securities, DhowCSD is one of the most important platforms to know.

DhowCSD is the Central Bank of Kenya’s digital platform for investing in government securities.

Through DhowCSD, individuals can access Treasury bills and Treasury bonds without necessarily going through a traditional intermediary. CBK says the platform is available through its web portal and mobile application.

What can you buy?

Treasury bills currently have maturities of:

• 91 days
• 182 days
• 364 days

Treasury bonds are longer-term government securities, with maturities extending from short to long periods depending on the issue.

CBK states that the minimum investment for Treasury bills and Treasury bonds is KSh 50,000.

Advantages

• Direct access to government securities
• Official Central Bank platform
• No need to rely entirely on a private investment app
• Available through mobile and web
• Useful for investors seeking government debt instruments

Risks

Although government securities are generally considered lower-risk investments, they are not identical to keeping cash in a bank account.

If you sell a bond before maturity, its market price can move because interest rates change. CBK also notes that early rediscounting of government securities can be costly.

Best for

Investors with KSh 50,000 or more who want Treasury bills or bonds.

2. Ziidi — Best for Simple M-PESA-Based Investing

For Kenyans who already use M-PESA, Ziidi is one of the easiest ways to access a money market fund.

The CMA approved the establishment of the Ziidi Money Market Fund by Safaricom, with the product made accessible through the M-PESA platform. Safaricom partnered with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital and Sanlam Investments East Africa in connection with the fund.

This makes Ziidi particularly interesting because investing can be integrated into an ecosystem that millions of Kenyans already use.

Why people may choose Ziidi

• Convenient M-PESA access
• Designed for retail investors
• Money market fund structure
• Low-friction digital experience
• No need to open a separate traditional investment account for the basic experience

But don’t confuse convenience with guaranteed returns

A money market fund invests in short-term interest-bearing assets.

Its return can change over time.

The fund is also subject to investment and operational risks, so you should read the current product terms before investing.

Best for

Beginners who want simple access to a regulated money market fund through M-PESA.

3. Mali — An Established M-PESA Investment Option

Mali is another M-PESA-linked investment product that Kenyan investors may encounter.

The Mali Money Market Fund is listed by the CMA as an approved collective investment scheme.

The CMA has also explained that the fund operates under the regulatory framework for collective investment schemes, with client assets held through an authorised custodian and oversight involving an independent trustee.

That distinction is important.

When evaluating an investment app, don’t just ask:

“Is the app regulated?”

Ask:

“What investment product am I buying, who manages it, who holds the assets and who supervises it?”

Best for

M-PESA users looking for a digital money-market investment option.

4. Chumz — Best for Goal-Based Digital Investing

Chumz is a Kenyan savings and investment application operated by Moneto Ventures Limited.

In May 2026, the CMA granted Moneto Ventures an Intermediary Service Platform Provider (ISPP) licence. The CMA says Chumz aggregates and connects retail investors to collective investment schemes.

This is significant because Chumz is not simply presenting itself as an investment app; it operates within a CMA-regulated intermediary framework.

What makes Chumz interesting?

The platform is designed around digital saving and investing.

It can appeal to people who struggle with traditional investment processes and want to start building an investment habit through their phone.

Best for

Young investors and beginners who want a digital, goal-oriented investing experience.

Important caution

A platform licence does not mean every investment available through the platform is risk-free.

Always identify the underlying collective investment scheme and understand its:

• Fund manager
• Trustee
• Custodian
• Fees
• Investment strategy
• Withdrawal terms
• Historical performance

5. Bank and Investment Apps

Another option that many Kenyans overlook is their existing bank or investment institution.

Several CMA-licensed investment banks and securities firms provide digital or online access to investment services.

The CMA’s current register includes institutions such as ABSA Securities, Dyer & Blair Investment Bank, Equity Investment Bank, Faida Investment Bank, Genghis Capital, KCB Investment Bank, NCBA Investment Bank, SBG Securities and Standard Investment Bank, among others.

These institutions can provide access to products such as:

• Shares
• Bonds
• Unit trusts
• Money market funds
• Fixed-income investments
• Other capital-market products

The exact products and digital capabilities vary between providers.

Best for

Investors who want a broader investment portfolio rather than just a money market fund.

6. Stock Investment Platforms

If your goal is to buy shares listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), you should use a properly licensed broker or investment bank.

The CMA maintains a register of licensed stockbrokers and investment banks.

Examples on the CMA register include:

• ABSA Securities
• Dyer & Blair
• Equity Investment Bank
• Faida Investment Bank
• Genghis Capital
• KCB Investment Bank
• NCBA Investment Bank
• SBG Securities
• Standard Investment Bank
• Sterling Capital

The important point is not which company has the flashiest app.

It is whether the institution is properly licensed and whether the investment product suits your risk tolerance.

Risks of buying shares

Shares can increase substantially in value, but they can also fall.

You can lose part or all of the money invested in a particular company.

Unlike a money market fund, equity investing should generally be approached with a longer-term mindset.

Best for

Investors who understand share-market volatility and want exposure to companies listed on the NSE.

What About Foreign Investment Apps?

Some Kenyan investors also use platforms that provide access to US or international shares.

This can give you exposure to companies outside Kenya, but it introduces additional considerations.

Before depositing money into an international investment platform, check:

• Whether the company is licensed in the relevant jurisdiction
• Whether it is authorised to serve Kenyan residents
• Who holds your assets
• Trading fees
• Currency-conversion charges
• Withdrawal fees
• Tax implications
• Fractional-share rules
• Foreign-exchange risk

A platform being popular on TikTok, YouTube or X is not evidence that it is regulated.

How Investment Apps Make Money

Investment platforms can charge investors in several ways.

Common charges include:

Management fees

Some investment funds charge an annual management fee based on assets under management.

Transaction fees

Stock and other securities transactions can attract brokerage or transaction charges.

Withdrawal fees

Some products may charge for withdrawals or impose conditions around when money can be withdrawn.

Performance fees

Certain investment products may charge fees based on performance.

Currency conversion

International investments can involve foreign-exchange costs.

Platform fees

Some digital investment services may charge subscription or platform fees.

The key lesson is:

Don’t compare investment apps based only on their advertised return.

Compare the net return after applicable fees and taxes.

What Are the Risks of Investment Apps?

An investment app is simply the technology you use to access an investment.

The underlying investment determines much of the risk.

1. Market risk

Shares can fall.

If you invest KSh 100,000 in shares and the market falls 15%, the value could fall to approximately KSh 85,000 before considering fees and other factors.

2. Interest-rate risk

Bond prices can move when interest rates change.

This is particularly important if you plan to sell a bond before maturity.

3. Liquidity risk

Some investments cannot be converted into cash immediately at the price you expect.

4. Credit risk

Corporate debt products involve the possibility that an issuer may fail to meet its obligations.

5. Currency risk

If you invest in US-dollar assets, changes in the Kenya shilling’s exchange rate can affect your returns when converted back into KSh.

6. Technology risk

Investment apps depend on technology.

You could experience:

• App outages
• Network problems
• Delayed transactions
• Account-access problems

7. Fraud risk

Fake investment apps and social-media investment scams remain a serious concern.

Never send money to an individual simply because they claim to represent an investment company.

How to Check If an Investment App Is Legitimate in Kenya

This should be the first step before depositing money.

Step 1: Visit the CMA website

The CMA maintains a public register of licensed institutions and approved products.

Step 2: Search for the company

Check whether the company appears in the relevant licence category.

Step 3: Identify the actual investment product

Don’t stop at the app’s name.

Find out whether your money goes into:

• A money market fund
• Treasury bills
• Treasury bonds
• Shares
• A bond fund
• A balanced fund
• Another investment product

Step 4: Check the fund manager

If it is a collective investment scheme, identify the fund manager.

Step 5: Check the custodian and trustee

CMA-regulated collective investment schemes use structures designed to separate client assets from the fund manager’s own assets. The CMA has specifically highlighted this structure in relation to the Genghis and Mali money market funds.

Step 6: Read the fees

Never invest without knowing the applicable charges.

How Much Money Do You Need to Start Investing?

There is no single minimum for every investment.

Different products have different requirements.

For example, CBK currently states a KSh 50,000 minimum for Treasury bills and Treasury bonds.

Some digital collective investment products may allow investors to start with much smaller amounts.

This is one reason money market funds and digital investment platforms have become attractive to younger investors.

But starting with a small amount does not mean the investment is risk-free.

Best Investment App in Kenya for Different Investors

Best for Treasury bills and bonds

DhowCSD

It is the official CBK digital platform for accessing government securities.

Best for simple M-PESA investing

Ziidi

Useful for investors who want money-market exposure through the M-PESA ecosystem.

Best for goal-based digital investing

Chumz

CMA licensed Moneto Ventures as an ISPP in 2026, with Chumz connecting retail investors to collective investment schemes.

Best for broader capital-market investing

A CMA-licensed investment bank or broker

This is more appropriate if you want to build a portfolio containing shares, bonds and other securities.

Best for beginners

There is no universal winner.

For a beginner, simplicity, regulation, fees and understanding the underlying investment matter more than having the most sophisticated app.

Investment App vs Money Market Fund: What’s the Difference?

This is a common source of confusion.

An investment app is the platform you use.

A money market fund is the investment product.

For example, you might use a mobile application to invest in a money market fund.

Therefore, don’t compare:

“Which app gives the highest return?”

Instead ask:

“Which regulated investment product is appropriate for my goals, and which platform gives me convenient and affordable access to it?”

That is a much better way to evaluate investments.

What Should You Check Before Investing?

Use this checklist before depositing your money:

• Is the company licensed or authorised for the service it provides?
• Is the underlying investment product approved?
• Who manages the investment?
• Who is the custodian?
• Who is the trustee, where applicable?
• What are the management fees?
• Are there transaction fees?
• Are there withdrawal charges?
• Are returns guaranteed or variable?
• How quickly can I withdraw my money?
• What happens if the market falls?
• What happens if the platform experiences an outage?
• What taxes apply?
• Can I verify the company independently through the regulator?

Should You Invest Through an App?

For many Kenyans, yes.

Digital investment platforms have made investing considerably more accessible.

The biggest advantage is convenience.

But convenience should never replace due diligence.

The safest approach is to choose the investment first and the app second.

If you want short-term exposure to government securities, investigate Treasury bills through DhowCSD.

If you want a money market fund, compare regulated funds and their fees rather than choosing purely based on the advertised rate.

If you want shares, use a CMA-licensed broker or investment bank.

And if you are considering an unfamiliar app, verify it with the regulator before sending money.

Final Verdict

The best investment app in Kenya depends on what you want to invest in.

DhowCSD stands out for direct access to Kenyan Treasury bills and bonds.

Ziidi and Mali provide convenient M-PESA-linked money-market investment options.

Chumz is an interesting regulated digital platform for connecting retail investors with collective investment schemes.

For investors interested in NSE shares and broader capital-market products, a CMA-licensed broker or investment bank is the more appropriate route.

The most important lesson is simple:

Never choose an investment app because someone on social media promises high returns. Choose a regulated platform, understand the underlying investment, compare the fees and understand the risks before investing.

Kenya’s investment ecosystem is becoming increasingly digital, but regulation remains one of the most important filters investors should use. The CMA continues to expand its oversight of digital investment platforms, while CBK provides direct digital access to government securities through DhowCSD.

For TechDrivers readers, the best investment isn’t necessarily the one promising the highest return. It is the one you understand, can afford to hold through its risks, and can verify through an official regulator.