NSE Opens Market to All with Single-Share Trading Rollout

Nairobi, Kenya – The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has officially abolished its decades-old rule mandating a minimum board lot of 100 shares, ushering in a new era where investors can now buy and sell single shares across all trading boards. This landmark change, enacted under Clause 6.3 of the revised Equity Trading Rules, covers the Normal, Restricted Normal, and Recovery boards and significantly lowers the entry barrier for retail investors. 

Launch & Market Response

• The single-share trading rule took effect on August 8, 2025, following a delay from the initial launch date. ([turn0search12])

• On August 9, markets responded with enthusiasm: 10 counters closed at or above their 52-week highs, including:

  • BAT: KSh 424.00

  • Equity: KSh 53.00

  • KCB: KSh 48.50

  • KenGen: KSh 7.80

  • NSE: KSh 10.50

  • Olympia: KSh 5.46

  • Stanbic: KSh 185.00

  • Standard Chartered: KSh 324.50

  • Sameer: KSh 12.95

  • TotalEnergies: KSh 28.00

Implications for Market Dynamics

• Inclusivity and Financial Access

  This reform significantly amplifies financial inclusion—stocks previously requiring over KSh 30,000 to acquire are now within reach of a larger retail investor base. 

• Pricing & Price Discovery

  Despite the expanded access, official closing prices on the NSE will only update when at least 100 shares are traded in a session; otherwise, the previous day’s average carries forward. 

• Democratizing Investment

  The change aligns with global best practices and supports the NSE’s ambition to grow active investor accounts from around 1.6 million to 9 million by 2029; currently, active participation remains low relative to Kenya’s population. 

• Market Liquidity and Sentiment

  Analysts anticipate this reform will deepen liquidity across small-cap stocks, enhance price discovery, and encourage wider market engagement, especially among younger, first-time, and diaspora investors. 

Summary Table