The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) announced on July 29, 2025, a groundbreaking move to expand access to investment opportunities for retail investors by introducing single-unit share trading.
Beginning August 8, 2025, the company says shares will now be traded in multiples of one unit, a significant shift from the previous requirement that often limited participation due to higher minimum trade sizes.
This change follows recent amendments to the NSE Equity Trading Rules. According to the NSE, the new framework is expected to provide greater flexibility for investors, remove barriers to entry, and encourage broader market participation, especially among small-scale investors.
In a statement, NSE Chief Executive Officer Frank Mwiti welcomed the reform, saying, “We are pleased to take this significant step towards enhancing retail investor participation in our market.
This initiative is part of our broader strategic efforts to increase financial inclusion and market access for all investors. It aligns with our vision of increasing the number of active investors to 9 million by the year 2029.”
As part of the changes, the Odd Lot Board, previously used for trades below 100 shares, has been scrapped, with market orders now expected to be executed directly on the Main Order Book.
However, the NSE clarified that under Rule 7.6.6, the official daily closing price of a listed equity will only be determined if the total cumulative traded volume in a session is at least 100 shares. Where the traded volume falls below 100, the previous day’s average closing price will apply.
The NSE emphasized that this reform is part of its broader commitment to fostering an inclusive, investor-friendly financial market. By lowering the threshold for entry, the exchange hopes to attract more retail investors and align with global best practices in equity trading.
This policy marks a milestone in Kenya’s financial markets, offering ordinary citizens a more practical pathway to participate in wealth creation through stock ownership.
