The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has achieved a significant milestone after Absa Securities Limited (Kenya) successfully executed the first trades under a Sponsored Access arrangement with Absa Bank South Africa. The landmark development signals a major boost for regional market integration, investor access, and the adoption of advanced trading technology across African capital markets.
The initiative is anchored in Guideline 4.8 of the NSE Direct Market Access Guidelines, 2019, which allows a licensed trading participant to grant a qualified institution direct access to the exchange’s trading infrastructure. Through this framework, Absa Bank South Africa is now able to route orders directly into the NSE trading system via Absa Securities Limited, marking a key stride in enhancing efficiency and cross-border participation.
NSE Chief Executive Officer welcomed the breakthrough, noting that it underscores growing investor confidence and the exchange’s ambition to modernize its operations. “This is not only a win for the NSE, but for the broader region. The successful deployment of Sponsored Access by Absa is a powerful signal of technological readiness. It speaks directly to our strategic agenda to revitalize the market and attract a broader range of participants, including regional and global investors,” he said.
Merlin Rajah, Head of Electronic Sales at Absa CIB, described the go-live as a reflection of Absa’s commitment to improving market connectivity on the continent. “Through our Sponsored Access arrangement, we are helping to create more efficient and transparent pathways for investors to participate in African capital markets. It is a tangible example of how regional collaboration and technology can deepen liquidity and unlock new growth opportunities,” he noted.
Sponsored Access is designed to enhance trading speed, transparency, and operational efficiency while maintaining strong regulatory controls. The NSE says the rollout reinforces its long-term focus on leveraging technology to deepen liquidity, broaden participation, and build a dynamic marketplace that supports sustainable investment and economic development.
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