The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) temporarily suspended trading in Absa Bank Kenya Plc shares on Wednesday morning to allow a large block transaction involving the lender’s shares to be carried out and settled in an orderly manner.
The trading halt took effect at 9:30am and was scheduled to run until 11am, according to a public notice issued by the NSE. The temporary suspension was approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) under Clause 9.4.2(c) of the NSE Equity Trading Rules.
“The Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc (NSE) wishes to notify investors and the general public that, pursuant to Clause 9.4.2(c) of the NSE Equity Trading Rules, and with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), trading in the ordinary shares of Absa Bank Kenya Ple will be temporarily halted on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.”
The exchange said the halt was necessary to create an orderly window for the block transaction and ensure the purchase or sale of the shares, as well as its settlement, followed the rules governing trading at the NSE.
“The temporary halt is intended to facilitate the orderly execution and settlement of a block trade in Absa Bank Kenya PLC shares, in accordance with the applicable market rules and regulatory requirements.”
A block trade involves a large number of shares being bought or sold in a single transaction. Such trades can be carried out through special market arrangements to allow major transactions to take place without interfering with normal trading activity.
During the suspension, investors and other market participants could not conduct normal trading in Absa Bank Kenya’s ordinary shares on the exchange.
However, the NSE did not disclose the number of shares involved in the block transaction or reveal its value. The exchange also did not name the parties taking part in the transaction.
Instead, the NSE asked investors and other market participants to take note of the temporary interruption and the specific period during which trading in the bank’s shares would be halted.
“Investors and other market participants are advised to take note of the above.”
The temporary halt was limited to the period announced by the exchange, with trading in the shares suspended from 9:30am to 11am on Wednesday.
The decision, made with the approval of the CMA, allows the transaction to be handled under the established equity trading rules while providing a clear period for its execution and settlement.
Absa Bank Kenya is listed on the NSE, where investors trade its ordinary shares.
The exchange did not indicate whether any further restrictions would be placed on trading in the bank’s shares after the two-hour suspension. Trading was expected to resume after the specified period, subject to any additional communication or direction from the NSE or CMA.
Investors seeking further information were directed to contact Boniface Mbogo, the NSE Manager for Branding, Marketing and Communications. The exchange also provided its corporate affairs contact details for market participants seeking clarification on the notice.
The temporary halt comes as the NSE continues to use its trading rules to manage large securities transactions and maintain an orderly market.
By pausing trading for the specified period, the exchange provided a controlled window for the Absa Bank Kenya block trade to be executed and settled in line with applicable market and regulatory requirements.