NSE earns upgrade, opening door for single-share trading
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 14, 2025The Nairobi Stock Exchange has now earned Pass status, opening the door for single-share trading.
In a statement released by the NSE on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Kenyans can now trade in single shares instead of the traditional minimum of 100 shares that had long been practised.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc (NSE) has achieved a major milestone with an upgrade from Restricted to Pass on the Efficient Trading Mechanism criterion by the FTSE Russell Index Governance Board, following the FTSE Equity Country Classification Interim Review conducted in September 2025.
This upgrade marks a transformational leap for Kenya’s equity market, affirming that securities listed on the NSE can now be traded in multiples of one share, effective August 1, 2025. The reform dramatically enhances market accessibility and flexibility.
According to the NSE, this FTSE Russell upgrade is a significant endorsement of the modernisation and reform agenda being implemented to democratise investment, boost liquidity, and position Kenya as a globally competitive investment hub. The exchange continues to build a market that is dynamic, transparent, and inclusive, attracting both local and international investors.
“This FTSE Russell upgrade is a strong endorsement of our ongoing reform agenda to democratise investment, boost liquidity, and position Kenya as a globally competitive investment hub,” the NSE said in its statement.
The FTSE Equity Country Classification process is globally recognised for its rigour, evaluating markets against comprehensive technical criteria and incorporating insights from leading institutional investors. The latest upgrade places Kenya firmly on the radar of global asset allocators, reinforcing confidence in the country’s capital markets.
FTSE Russell’s flagship equity indexes are trusted worldwide for portfolio construction, risk analysis, and asset allocation, making this development a strategic win for Kenya’s integration into global investment flows.
The benefits
This upgrade is also a catalyst for growth and inclusion in Kenya’s capital markets. By enabling trading in single-share multiples, the NSE opens doors for retail investors, making participation more accessible than ever before. The change enhances liquidity, creating deeper and more active markets that benefit all stakeholders.
“This development aligns Kenya with global best practices and signals that our market is ready for deeper international capital flows,” the statement added