NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 11 – The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has granted licences to six banks and financial intermediaries to strengthen Kenya’s capital markets, foster innovation, and broaden access to investment services.
Among the approvals is Rock Advisors Limited, which has upgraded from an investment adviser to a licensed investment bank. The firm will now offer an expanded range of services including market research, advisory, wealth management and proprietary trading.
CMA also licensed Green Margin Capital Limited as a stockbroker. It intends to combine research, innovation and investor education to serve retail, institutional, diaspora and emerging investor segments.
In the advisory space, the Authority granted an investment adviser licence to Zamara Actuaries, Administrators and Consultants Limited. Zamara, which is already licensed by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), provides actuarial consulting, pension administration, insurance brokerage and financial planning services. The new approval allows the firm to expand into capital markets advisory.
Arion Capital Limited also received an investment adviser licence. The firm plans to offer tailored advisory services to corporates and high-net-worth individuals, with a focus on aligning financial returns with social and environmental objectives.
Similarly, Horizon Africa Capital Limited was approved as an investment adviser. The boutique mergers and acquisitions and capital-raising firm aims to provide technology-driven wealth management solutions and mobilise savings into productive investments.
In addition, CMA granted an Intermediary Service Platform Provider (ISPP) licence to I&M Capital Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of I&M Group PLC and an already licensed fund manager.
CMA said the entry and expansion of these intermediaries will enhance market depth, increase product diversity, improve investor choice and strengthen confidence in Kenya’s capital markets.
