NAIROBI, Kenya, July 6 – The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved two new umbrella unit trust schemes and several additional sub-funds under existing collective investment schemes, widening the range of regulated investment products available to Kenyan investors.
The approvals, granted under the Capital Markets Act and the Capital Markets (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 2023, are aimed at expanding investment options across money market, fixed income and multi-asset funds in both local and foreign currencies.
Among the newly approved schemes is the Cinemark Unit Trust Fund, promoted by Cinemark Investment Bank Limited. The fund comprises seven sub-funds, including Kenya shilling and US dollar money market, fixed income and multi-asset products.
The regulator also approved the Karsis Unit Trust Scheme, promoted by Karsis Asset Managers Limited. The scheme has been registered with 12 sub-funds covering money market, fixed income, multi-asset and private debt strategies in Kenya shillings, US dollars, euros and sterling pounds.
In addition, CMA approved new sub-funds under several existing unit trust schemes.
Absa Asset Management Limited received approval to launch the Absa Global Multi-Asset Special Fund in both Kenya shilling and US dollar denominations.
Dry Associates Investment Bank Limited was cleared to introduce euro- and sterling-denominated special fixed income funds under its existing unit trust scheme.
Madison Investment Managers Limited also secured approval to register the Madison USD Fixed Income Special Fund, while Tradiam Investment Services Limited received approval to introduce Kenya shilling and US dollar fixed income funds under its existing unit trust scheme.
The regulator said the approvals are expected to deepen Kenya’s capital markets by increasing product diversity and giving investors a wider range of regulated savings and investment options.
CMA noted that all the approvals remain subject to compliance with applicable regulations and urged investors to review a fund’s information memorandum and trust deed before investing, while dealing only with licensed capital markets intermediaries.
