M-PESA has revolutionized how we send money, pay bills, and even save. Now, Safaricom is taking it a step further by making stock market investing just as simple and accessible. On February 10, 2026, Safaricom officially launched Ziidi Trader — a game-changing mini-app embedded right inside the M-PESA app. This means millions of Kenyans can now buy and sell shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) directly from their mobile phones, using the same familiar M-PESA wallet and PIN they use every day.
Gone are the days when investing in stocks felt out of reach — requiring paperwork, separate brokerage accounts, Central Depository System (CDS) registrations, or visits to brokers. Ziidi Trader removes those barriers, democratizing access to the NSE for everyday people, from small savers to aspiring investors.
What Exactly Is Ziidi Trader?
Ziidi Trader is a seamless trading platform integrated into the M-PESA ecosystem. It partners with the NSE and uses Kestrel Capital (a Nairobi-based brokerage) to handle the trades behind the scenes. Users don’t need to open an individual brokerage or CDS account — M-PESA pools funds into a managed account, making the process secure and straightforward.
Key highlights include:
- Buy and sell NSE-listed shares directly with your M-PESA balance.
- Start small — invest in as little as one share.
- No extra paperwork or ID uploads required beyond your existing M-PESA KYC.
- Use your M-PESA PIN to authorize trades — just like sending money to a friend.
- Access during official NSE market hours (Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM).
- Tools like live prices, watchlists, price alerts, portfolio tracking, and market insights — all within the app.
Since going live, Ziidi Trader has already made waves, accounting for a significant portion of trades on the NSE in its early days.
How to Get Started with Ziidi Trader
Getting started is incredibly simple — if you already use M-PESA, you’re halfway there.
- Open the M-PESA app on your phone (download it from your app store if needed).
- Navigate to the Financial Services section.
- Select Ziidi Trader.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Complete a quick verification (it leverages your existing M-PESA details, like confirming source of funds or occupation).
- Confirm with your M-PESA PIN — and you’re in!
From there, you can browse listed companies, view real-time prices, create watchlists, and place buy/sell orders. For example:
- Select “Trade” → Choose a stock → Tap “Buy” → Enter quantity and price → Review → Confirm with PIN.
Selling follows a similar flow, with proceeds going straight back to your M-PESA wallet.
Why This Matters for Kenyans
Kenya’s stock market has historically been underutilized by retail investors due to complexity and entry barriers. Ziidi Trader changes that by mirroring the simplicity of M-PESA transactions. It’s like sending money to buy airtime, but instead, you’re buying ownership in companies like Safaricom, banks, or other NSE-listed firms.
This could bring millions of new investors into the market, boosting participation and potentially supporting economic growth. As one NSE representative noted during the launch, it’s a deliberate move to ensure “anybody can invest in the NSE, regardless of how much they have.”
Of course, like any investment, stock trading carries risks — prices fluctuate, and past performance isn’t a guarantee of future results. Always do your research, start small, and consider it part of a diversified financial strategy.
Ziidi Trader turns the promise of inclusive finance into reality: investing in the NSE is now as easy as sending an M-PESA. No brokers, no hassle, no excuses. If you’ve ever thought about dipping your toes into the stock market but found it intimidating, this is your moment.
Head to your M-PESA app today, explore Ziidi Trader, and start building your portfolio — one share at a time.
