List of Licensed Investment Banks in Kenya

Are you looking to invest in shares, government bonds, or even forex? If you just answered yes, and you’re in Kenya, then chances are that you need the services of a Capital Markets Authority (CMA)-approved investment bank.

Unlike conventional banks, investment banks purely focus on helping their clients access trading opportunities either for wealth creation or wealth preservation purposes. These banks are known for hiring the sharpest investment minds in town thereby helping their clients access bespoke investment advisory services.

What’s the Role of Investment Banks in Kenya?

Like commercial banks, investment banks are great pillars of Kenya’s financial stability. They play a pivotal role in promoting a culture of saving and investing among corporate and retail clients. In addition, they help with the establishment of long-term social security which a country needs to guarantee among its retirees. 

List of Kenya’s Investment Banks

Logo	Investment Bank	Physical Address
	ABSA Securities Ltd	Absa HQ, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
	Dyer & Blair Bank	Goodman Tower , off Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
	Equity Investment Bank	Equity Centre, Hospital Road, Upperhill, Nairobi
	Faida Investment Bank	Crawford Business Park, State House Rd, Nairobi
	Genghis Capital Limited	Purshottam Place, A104, Nairobi
	KCB Capital Limited	Kencom House, Nairobi
	NCBA Investment Bank	Mara Rd. Upper-hill, Nairobi
	Renaissance Capital (KE)	Pramukh Tower, Westlands, Nairobi
	SBG Securities Limited	Stanbic Centre, Westlands, Nairobi
	Standard Investment Bank	JKUAT Building, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi
	Sterling Capital Limited	Delta Corner Annex, Westlands Nairobi
	Dry Associates Limited	188 Loresho Ridge Road Nairobi
	Salaam Investment Bank	Britam Tower, Upperhill, Nairobi
	Gulfcap Investment Bank	Merchant Square, Riverside Dr, Nairobi
	Pergamon Financial Services	Delta Chambers, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
	Investcent Investment Bank	The Address, Muthangari Drive, Nairobi

1. ABSA Securities Limited

ABSA Securities Limited offers its clients investment services like asset management, forex solutions, market making, fund management, etc. The company is a branch of Absa Group, a well-established financial services firm in Africa and one of the largest banks in Kenya. The head office for ABSA Securities is at the ABSA Headquarters along Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi. 

2. Dyer & Blair Investment Bank Limited

This bank was founded in 1954 and offers services like corporate finance, research, stock brokerage, finance advisory, and online trading. Its head office is in Goodman Tower, situated off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi. 

The bank has been providing investment services over the years and is one of the founding members of the NSE. Its services are not only domiciled in Kenya but spun across all the East African countries. 

3. Equity Investment Bank Limited

The Equity Investment Bank is owned by (you guessed it right) Equity Group Holdings, a company that has cemented its foot in Kenya and across East Africa. This investment wing of the bank focuses on wealth management and particularly on investments in Kenya’s treasury bill and bonds markets.

Just like its parent Equity Bank, which is also a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings, Equity Investment Bank’s head office is located at Equity Center, Upperhill. 

4. Faida Investment Bank Limited

Faida Investment Bank was founded in 1995 with the objective of linking investors to wealth creation opportunities. The bank’s services include corporate finance, online trading, brokerage, research, and investment advisory.

The bank’s founder is Mr. Bob Karina, a distinguished finance research analyst and stockbroker. Its head office is at Crawford Business Park along State House Rd, Nairobi.

5. Genghis Capital Limited

Genghis Capital Limited is an investment bank that offers customers an array of financial services, including stock brokerage, wealth management, bond trading, investment advisory, retirement benefits, and corporate finance. It started as a brokerage firm in 2008 and was then a subsidiary of Chase Bank.

In 2016 Genghis Capital Limited was later acquired by Pamoja Capital and diversified its services to investment banking. The bank’s head office is at Purshottam Place, Westlands, Nairobi.

6. KCB Capital Limited

KCB Capital Limited, or KCB Investment Bank Limited, is a subsidiary of KCB Group. It focuses on providing its clients with expert financial advisory, research, and brokerage services. This investment bank was established in 2013. Their head office is at the Kencom House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi.

7. NCBA Investment Bank Limited

The NCBA Investment Bank is linked to the NCBA Bank Group, a renowned financial institution formed out of a merger between the NIC Bank and CBA Bank in 2019. This wealth management institution focuses on a myriad of investment vehicles including:

• Stock brokerage
• Investment advisory
• Bond & bills trading

The fledging banking unit which handles billions worth of customer deposits shares it headquarters with its parent bank at NCBA House in Upperhill, Nairobi.

8. Renaissance Capital (Kenya) Limited

This Nairobi-based investment bank offers a range of services like corporate finance, wealth management, and securities trading. The firm is owned by the Renaissance Group, a company with operations in North America, Africa, and Europe. This bank started its operations in Kenya in 2006, and its headquarters are in Pramukh Tower, Westlands, Nairobi. 

9. SBG Securities Limited

SBG Securities Limited is owned by the Stanbic Bank Group and was founded in 2000. Aside from performing investment services like equity trading, buy/sell of securities, and fund management, it’s also an approved CDA (Central Depository Agent). The headquarters of SBG Securities Limited are at the Stanbic Centre, Westlands, Nairobi.

10. Standard Investment Bank

The Standard Investment Bank started way back in 1995 as a private company and only begun its corporate financing operations in 2005. It embraces advanced technology to ensure efficient service delivery in areas like asset management, research, equities, corporate finance, and securities trading.

This bank serves both local and international clients, from individuals to government corporations to retail investors. Finally, the Standard Investment Bank headquarters are at the JKUAT building, Kenyatta Avenue. 

11. Sterling Capital Limited

Since its establishment in 1994, Sterling Capital Limited has been at the forefront of delivering vast financial services like asset management, stockbroking, and corporate finance. Sterling Capital Limited is a subsidiary of Guardian Capital Group, a world-renowned financial advisory firm. The corporate office of Sterling Capital is located at the Delta Corner Annex Building in Westlands, Nairobi.

12. Dry Associates Limited 

Trading as Dry Associates Investment Bank was founded in 1994. It specializes in delivering fund management, corporate finance, investment solutions, and wealth management services. The bank’s headquarters are at 188 Loresho Ridge Road, Nairobi. The founder of Dry Associates Limited is Mr. James Dry, a well-known financial manager and advisor.

13. Salaam Investment Bank Kenya Limited

This investment bank offers individuals and corporate clients different Sharia-compliant investment solutions like securities trading, commodities trading, research, wealth management, and finance management. The bank is a subsidiary of Salaam African Bank, a Djibouti-based commercial bank.

Salaam Investment Bank Kenya Limited was founded in 2018. Its head office is at Britam Tower, Hospital Rd, Upperhill.

14. Gulfcap Investment Bank Limited

The Gulfcap Investment Bank Limited focuses on delivering practical financial solutions to investors like asset management, corporate advisory, and diaspora banking. Its offices are at the Merchant Square building located along Riverside Drive, Nairobi.

15. Pergamon Financial Services Limited

This firm is also called Pergamon Investment Bank Limited. Pergamon Financial Services Limited offers its clients a distinctive approach to wealth management, corporate financing, and stock brokerage. The bank’s corporate office is at the Delta Chambers, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi. 

16. Investcent Investment Bank Limited

Investcent Investment Bank targets high-net-worth institutions with key interests in growing wealth. It also offers other services like financial advisory and fund management. The Investcent offices are at The Address building situated along Muthangari Drive within Nairobi City County. 

Conclusion

Investment banks are vital pillars of Kenya’s financial ecosystem. Kenya’s robust investment banking sector gives room for corporate institutions and individual investors to realize their financial goals. The above investment banks are approved by the CMA and have a solid reputation in their service delivery.

As a business-oriented investor or institution, all you need to do is choose an investment bank that aligns with your financial goals.

Lenah Wangwe

With a Diploma in Banking and Finance, Lenah boasts a good understanding of the Kenyan business landscape. She’s a seasoned freelance copywriter who enjoys reading the Bible during her free time.