As of April 2025, Kenya had 17 licensed investment banks. This article explores these banks and explains how they differ from commercial banks in terms of their roles and services.
Investment banks mainly work with large corporations, institutional investors, and government agencies. They help clients with mergers and acquisitions, issue new stocks and bonds, provide financial advice, and assist with trading securities and managing assets.
In contrast, commercial banks focus on individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. They offer services like accepting deposits, providing savings and checking accounts, giving personal and business loans, and offering credit and mortgage options.
List of 17 Licensed Investment Banks
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Absa Securities Limited
Absa Securities Limited is a subsidiary of Absa Bank Kenya, offering a range of financial services including advisory on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and securities trading. Absa Securities is licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) in Kenya.
Its services include managing client funds through various investment strategies aimed at value growth, income generation, and value preservation. In addition, the bank offers products such as money market funds, balanced funds, equity funds, and fixed income funds.
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Equity Investment Bank Limited
Equity Investment Bank Limited is a licensed subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings, offering brokerage, advisory, and wealth management services. It focuses on expanding market access, supporting business growth through advisory, and providing tailored private wealth solutions, all while leveraging the broader Equity Group ecosystem.
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KCB Investment Bank Limited
KCB Investment Bank Limited is part of KCB Group Plc. It provides investment management and wealth management services to both individuals and institutions. This bank is separate from KCB Bank Kenya Limited, which focuses on commercial banking.
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NCBA Investment Bank Limited
NCBA Investment Bank is a wholly owned investment banking subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, created to offer financial solutions cutting across advisory, investments, and brokerage services.
- Faida Investment Bank Limited
Faida is among the leading investment banks in Kenya, and it aims to link investors to opportunities that will lead to wealth creation.
It has an extensive retail franchise and distribution network in the country, and has an associated company in Rwanda, Faida Securities Rwanda Ltd.
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Standard Investment Bank
Standard Investment Bank (SIB) is a financial services firm in Kenya offering investment banking, securities trading, and investment management services. Founded in 1995 by James Wangunyu as a private company, SIB has grown to become a major player in the equity trading market by volume.
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Genghis Capital Limited
Genghis Capital Limited is a Kenyan investment solutions provider offering a range of financial services, including asset management, corporate finance, and stock brokerage.
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Genghis holds licenses from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA). The company started as a stock brokerage firm in 2008 and has since expanded its services and grown significantly.
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Renaissance Capital Kenya Limited
Renaissance Capital (Kenya) Ltd is an investment bank located in Kenya, and it is part of the Renaissance Capital Group, which focuses on growing markets worldwide. The bank offers a variety of investment banking services, such as buying and selling stocks and bonds, giving corporate advice, helping companies raise capital, and providing research. .
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SBG Securities Limited
SBG Securities Limited is a Kenyan investment bank and Central Depository Agent (CDA) that offers a range of services, including equity trading, fixed income, and account maintenance. It also offers digital trading through its iTrader platform, enabling clients to trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in real time.
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Sterling Capital Limited
Sterling Capital Limited is a leading investment bank in Kenya, established in 1981 and currently operating under a license from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).
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Salaam Investment Bank Kenya Limited
Salaam Investment Bank Kenya Limited (SIBK) is a foreign company incorporated in Kenya and licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to operate as an investment bank under the Capital Markets Act and Regulations. The investment bank provides Sharia-compliant products and services to its customers and the general public.
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The bank is owned by Salaam African Bank, based in Djibouti and regulated by the Central Bank of Djibouti.
SIBK provides Shariah-compliant investment bank products and services.
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Gulfcap Investment Bank Limited
GulfCap Investment Bank is a CMA licensed investment bank headquartered in Nairobi. It provides a wide range of investment banking, asset and wealth management and diaspora investment management services. The firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.
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Dyer and Blair Investment Bank Limited
Dyer and Blair Investment Bank Limited is one of the leading investment banks in Kenya, established in 1954. The bank is a founding member of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), and the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE).
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Pergamon Investment Bank Limited (formerly Pergamon Financial Services Limited)
Pergamon Investment Bank Limited is a licensed investment bank in Kenya providing personalized financial services and wealth management solutions based on clients’ individual needs and goals.
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Investcent Investment Bank Limited
Investcent Investment Bank is a boutique investment bank and alternative investments hedge fund manager licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya. It is also licensed as a pension manager by the Retirement Benefits Authority of Kenya.
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Capital A Investment Bank Limited (formerly Securities Africa Kenya Limited)
Capital A Investment Bank Limited is a stock-brokerage firm specialized in providing expert investment advisory services on a range of financial instruments, including bonds, equities, Eurobonds, and corporate finance.
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Dry Associates Limited (Trading as “Dry Associates Investment Bank”)
Founded in 1994, Dry Associates has over 25 years of experience in Corporate Finance and Private Wealth Management.
The Corporate Finance division focuses on capital raising and supports companies in strengthening their financial positions, including activities in both public and private equity markets.
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