In February 2026 Safaricom and the Nairobi Securities Exchange launched Ziidi Trader, a feature in the M-Pesa app that lets you buy and sell NSE shares from your phone, from a single share upwards. It has quickly become one of the most popular ways to trade on the exchange.
If you’re deciding between Ziidi Trader and opening an account with a stockbroker, the key difference isn’t the app — it’s whose name your shares are held in.
How Ziidi Trader works
- Open the M-Pesa app, go to Financial Services and choose Ziidi Trader.
- Accept the terms (you must be 18 or over), pick a company, and enter the number of shares and a price — or choose the best available price.
- Pay from M-Pesa. When you sell and the order matches, the money comes back to M-Pesa.
The service runs with Kestrel Capital, a licensed stockbroker, under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority. It includes watchlists, price alerts and portfolio tracking, and also offers corporate bonds.
The big difference: an omnibus account
With a normal stockbroker, you get your own CDS account at the Central Depository & Settlement Corporation (CDSC). Your shares are recorded under your CDS number and your name. See how to open a CDS account.
Ziidi Trader works differently. Shares are held in an omnibus account — one CDS account, held through the partner broker, that pools the shares of many customers. Ziidi records which shares belong to you inside the platform, but you don’t get a personal CDS number, and those shares can’t be combined with holdings in a CDS account you have elsewhere.
Omnibus accounts are a normal, regulated way of holding shares worldwide. But it’s worth understanding what it means for you:
- Your record of ownership is the platform’s record, not an entry under your own name at CDSC.
- Safaricom has not published a way to move Ziidi shares into a personal CDS account. If you might want that later, ask Ziidi support before you build a large holding.
- Dividends on your Ziidi shares are paid to your M-Pesa, based on what you hold at book closure — so keep your M-Pesa line active.
Side by side
| Ziidi Trader | Stockbroker CDS account | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Inside the M-Pesa app, in minutes | Apply online or in person; usually 1–3 working days |
| Documents | Your existing M-Pesa registration | ID/passport, KRA PIN, photo, payment details |
| Where your shares are held | Pooled omnibus account | Your own CDS account, in your name |
| Minimum | One share | One share (broker minimum fees may apply) |
| Money in and out | Straight from and to M-Pesa | M-Pesa or bank, via your broker |
| Other products | Shares and corporate bonds | Varies by broker — some offer research, bonds, funds |
| Fees per trade | About 1.5%, all-inclusive | Commission (often 1–1.5%) + VAT + 0.29% levies + stamp duty |
| Dividends | Paid to M-Pesa | Paid to your bank or M-Pesa on record |
| Moving to another broker | No published transfer route | Transfer your CDS holdings to any broker |
Fees
Ziidi Trader charges a single, all-inclusive fee of about 1.5% per trade, covering the commission, the NSE, CMA, CDSC and ICF levies and stamp duty. Published examples put a KES 4,500 purchase at KES 68.50 in charges. Moving money between M-Pesa and Ziidi is free.
At a stockbroker, the same trade carries the commission plus VAT on it, 0.29% in levies and stamp duty — typically about 1.5% to 2% in total, and more on small trades if the broker has a minimum charge. On small and medium trades Ziidi is often the cheaper option; on large trades a broker with a low commission can cost less. The app shows the exact charge before you confirm each order. We explain every charge in NSE trading costs explained.
Which should you choose?
Ziidi Trader suits you if:
- You want to start small and learn with a few shares — with no minimum fee, small trades cost proportionately the same as large ones.
- You want everything in M-Pesa with nothing extra to open.
- You’re comfortable with your holdings sitting in a pooled account.
A stockbroker CDS account suits you if:
- You’re building a larger, long-term portfolio and want the shares in your own name.
- You want to be able to move your holdings freely between brokers.
- You want your broker’s research, support or other products.
Plenty of investors use both: Ziidi Trader for small, quick purchases, and a broker CDS account for their main long-term holdings.
Whatever you use, research first
The app you trade with doesn’t change what makes a good investment. Look at the company, its price trend, its dividends and how actively it trades. Ipahco’s screener and Markets page show every NSE company in one place, and the glossary explains the terms you’ll meet.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a CDS account to use Ziidi Trader?
No. Ziidi Trader holds shares through its own omnibus account, so you don’t need a personal CDS account.
Is Ziidi Trader regulated?
It operates with a CMA-licensed stockbroker, Kestrel Capital, under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority.
Can I buy one share on Ziidi Trader?
Yes. Since August 2025 all NSE shares can be traded in single units, and Ziidi Trader lets you start from one share.
How are dividends paid on Ziidi Trader?
To your M-Pesa, based on the shares you hold at the book closure date.
Can I see my Ziidi shares on CDSC?
Not under your own CDS number, because they are held in the pooled account. The platform itself shows your holdings.
Ipahco is not affiliated with Safaricom or Kestrel Capital. Details are correct as we understand them in September 2026 — check the current terms in the app before investing. This guide is for education only and is not investment advice.
