The Nairobi Securities Exchange has admitted Cinemark Consult Limited as an Authorized Securities Dealer in the fixed-income market, as bond turnover surges 75.5 percent to Sh2.7 trillion in 2025, signalling strong growth and deepening reforms in Kenya’s capital markets.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 16, 2026, the NSE described the admission as part of its broader efforts to reform and deepen Kenya’s capital markets.
“The Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc (NSE) has today announced the admission of Cinemark Consult Limited (Cinemark) as an Authorized Securities Dealer (ASD) in Kenya's fixed-income market. This step is part of NSE's continuous efforts to reform and strengthen Kenya's bond market, with the aim to improve liquidity, transparency, and investor access.”
As an ASD, Cinemark will now actively participate in bond trading on the NSE platform. The exchange said the firm would play “a key role in the growth of Kenya's bond market and providing investors with expanded investment opportunities in fixed-income securities.”
Commenting on the development, NSE Chief Executive Officer Frank Mwiti said the admission marked significant progress in enhancing the depth of the bond market.
“The admission of Cinemark Consult Limited as an ASD represents an important milestone in advancing the depth and effectiveness of the NSE's bond market. Their admission supports build a more robust fixed-income environment while reaffirming the NSE's ongoing dedication to developing a dynamic, investor-oriented bond market.”
Cinemark Consult Limited also welcomed the approval. Its Chief Executive Officer, Benard Gichuru, said, “We are honored to be admitted as an ASD in the fixed income market. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to deepening liquidity and supporting the continued development of Kenya's bond market. As an ASD, Cinemark Consult Limited looks forward to working closely with the NSE, market participants, and investors to deliver efficient execution and broader access to fixed income investment opportunities.”
The NSE said the admission aligns with its larger strategy to broaden access to bond trading under the hybrid bonds market framework approved by the Capital Markets Authority.
The framework allows licensed financial services providers to participate more actively in the bond market, enhancing competition and efficiency.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of strong growth in the NSE’s bond segment.
According to the exchange, “The NSE bond market demonstrated impressive growth in the period ended December 2025, with turnover surging by 75.5 percent to close the year at Sh2.7 trillion, compared to Sh1.5 trillion recorded over a similar period in 2024.”
The exchange attributed this growth to ongoing reforms designed to enhance efficiency and attractiveness to investors.
“The remarkable performance of the bond market highlights the success of our comprehensive market reforms, which have significantly enhanced the market's efficiency and attractiveness to investors.”
Bond markets play a critical role in Kenya’s financial system by enabling the government and corporates to raise long-term capital, while offering investors relatively stable returns through fixed-income instruments.
Increased participation by authorized dealers is often viewed as a key driver of liquidity, tighter pricing spreads, and improved investor confidence.
The NSE indicated that it continues to receive applications from other financial institutions seeking ASD status. “We continue to receive applications from financial institutions and will be admitting them once they fulfill the NSE admission criteria,” the statement said.
With turnover reaching Sh2.7 trillion in 2025, the NSE’s bond market appears to be gaining momentum, supported by regulatory reforms and expanded dealer participation.
The admission of Cinemark Consult Limited is expected to further strengthen trading activity and reinforce the exchange’s efforts to develop a more accessible and investor-oriented fixed-income market.
