Safaricom is working with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to introduce government bond trading through its My OneApp platform, in a move that could widen access to fixed-income investments for Kenyan savers. Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa disclosed the initiative during the launch of the company’s 2026 Sustainable Business Report in Nairobi on October 27, 2026.
The proposed service would expand Safaricom’s growing presence in Kenya’s investment market, following the introduction of Ziidi Trader in February 2026. The platform enables eligible M-PESA users to buy and sell shares listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), bringing stock-market trading closer to customers who primarily use their mobile phones for financial transactions.
Government securities, including Treasury bills and Treasury bonds, are debt instruments issued by the government to raise funds for public expenditure. Investors who purchase Treasury bonds receive periodic interest payments, known as coupons, while Treasury bills are generally short-term instruments sold at a discount and redeemed at face value upon maturity.
Introducing bond trading through My OneApp could make it easier for customers to explore these investments without navigating multiple platforms. However, Safaricom and the CBK have yet to disclose the proposed service’s launch date, minimum investment amount, transaction fees or the precise process customers will use to purchase and manage securities.
Investors currently access government securities through the CBK’s DhowCSD platform and authorised intermediaries. Under existing CBK arrangements, the minimum face value for a non-competitive Treasury bond bid is generally Sh50,000, a threshold that can limit participation among people who want to invest smaller amounts. Whether Safaricom’s proposed service will change the minimum investment requirements remains unclear.
The initiative follows Safaricom’s broader strategy of integrating financial services into its digital ecosystem. Through M-PESA, the telecommunications company has built a large network for payments, transfers and other financial transactions. Adding government securities could extend that ecosystem from everyday payments and mobile-based share trading to another category of investment products.
The potential expansion comes as Kenya seeks to deepen its domestic capital markets and encourage greater participation by individual investors. Easier digital access could help introduce more people to government securities, although uptake will depend on transparent pricing, clear investment information and a straightforward customer experience.
The experience of M-Akiba, Kenya’s earlier mobile-based government bond, offers a cautionary lesson. Launched in 2017 with a minimum investment of Sh3,000, the product attracted substantial initial interest but recorded relatively few actual purchases, highlighting the importance of investor education and an accessible investment process.
Government bonds are also not risk-free in every respect. Although they provide scheduled payments according to their terms, investors who sell bonds before maturity may receive less than they paid because market prices fluctuate with interest rates. Customers will therefore need clear explanations of maturity periods, returns, taxes and applicable fees.
For Safaricom, the proposed partnership could strengthen its position at the intersection of telecommunications, mobile money and digital investing. For investors, the central question is whether the service will make government securities more convenient and affordable to access.
The next milestone will be the announcement of the product’s operating terms and launch timeline. Until then, the initiative signals Safaricom’s intention to expand mobile investment options, rather than a government bond trading service that customers can already use through My OneApp.
