Kenya’s Fintrust Securities gets investment banking license

Fintrust Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Fincorp Credit Limited, has secured regulatory approval from Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA), marking its official entry into the country’s investment banking and fixed-income trading ecosystem.

The authorization designates Fintrust as an Authorized Securities Dealer (ASD), expanding its role within Kenya’s rapidly evolving capital markets and strengthening its position in East Africa’s financial services sector.

Expanding role in fixed-income markets

Under the new license, Fintrust is permitted to execute bond transactions on behalf of clients, provide bid-and-offer pricing across government and corporate debt instruments, and offer structured investment advisory services.

The approval aligns with broader regulatory efforts led by the Capital Markets Authority (Kenya) to deepen liquidity, enhance transparency, and strengthen market participation across fixed-income assets.

Integration with the Nairobi Securities Exchange

In a parallel development, Fintrust has been admitted as an ASD participant on the bond trading platform of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The integration is expected to accelerate secondary market activity at a time when demand for fixed-income instruments is rising, driven by shifting interest rate expectations and increased institutional investor participation.

Focus on retail investor inclusion

Fintrust founder and CEO Gibson Wachaga said the license is designed to broaden access to capital markets, particularly for younger and retail investors historically underrepresented in fixed-income trading.

“For our clients, this license enhances access to diverse investment opportunities, improved trading capabilities, and professional advisory services under one platform,” Wachaga said.

He added that the firm is focused on “transparent, efficient, and client-centered solutions” aimed at long-term wealth creation.

Gibson brings over 12 years of experience in investment banking and stockbroking within Kenya’s capital markets, with a strong track record in fixed income and corporate finance.

He previously served as Associate Director, Fixed Income at Dyer & Blair Investment Bank, where he played a key role in revamping the fixed income desk and significantly scaling the firm’s business.

From brokerage to investment banking platform

With over two decades of operational experience, Fintrust has evolved from a traditional bond trading firm into a more integrated investment platform offering advisory, portfolio solutions, and market access services.

Its parent company, Fincorp Credit, established in 2020, operates as a fintech-driven lender supporting SMEs with flexible financing solutions across Kenya’s credit ecosystem.

The latest regulatory milestone positions Fintrust within a broader transformation of Kenya’s capital markets, where digital infrastructure and regulatory reforms are reshaping investment banking and fixed-income trading across the region.