Kenyan investors expand access to U.S. IPOs and diversify fund preferences

Kenyan investors are seeing expanded access to international capital markets as the Hisa investment platform integrates selected U.S. initial public offerings (IPOs). This allows eligible users to participate in U.S. listings, particularly in high-interest sectors like technology and artificial intelligence, providing geographical diversification beyond the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Simultaneously, data from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) indicates a shift in domestic investment preferences. While Money Market Funds (MMFs) remain a dominant scheme, their market share fell from 90 percent in 2020 to 48 percent by June 2026. In contrast, Special Funds and Fixed Income Funds have seen significant growth, driven by higher interest rates compared to declining MMF returns. There is also a rising trend in investors opting for foreign-currency-denominated funds, which saw assets grow to Ksh110.5 billion by mid-2026.