Grow Your Wealth: The Power of Saving and Investing in Kenya

Grow Your Wealth: The Power of Saving and Investing in Kenya

At Kamoa, our mission has always been to help everyday Kenyans access better financial opportunities. Whether it’s building credit, accessing affordable loans, or understanding personal finance, we are here to support you. But there’s more to financial wellness than credit alone. To truly unlock your potential, saving and investing must become part of your financial journey.

Kenya has one of the most vibrant mobile finance ecosystems in the world. Mobile money penetration stands at over 84% according to the 2024 FinAccess Survey. Yet, while mobile payments and short-term lending are common, long-term financial planning remains a challenge.

According to the 2024 FinAccess Survey only 12% of Kenyans invest in formal financial instruments such as mutual funds, stocks, or government securities. Although 30% of Kenyans report regular savings, many do so through informal methods like chamas.

Why the Gap?

Here are some common reasons Kenyans don’t save or invest consistently:

• Limited access to formal investment platforms

• Lack of financial understanding on where or how to start

• Short-term needs often outweigh long-term goals

• Mistrust of financial institutions due to hidden fees or past scandals

• At Kamoa, we believe these barriers can be overcome with the right tools, education, and partnerships.

Key Terms to Know

Exchange Trade Fund (ETF): An ETF is a type of investment fund that’s traded on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) just like individual stocks. It’s made up of a basket of assets — like shares, bonds, or commodities — so you can invest in many companies or sectors at once.

Capital Markets Authority (CMA): The CMA is the regulator of Kenya’s capital markets. It ensures transparency, protects investors, and licenses financial service providers like stockbrokers, investment banks, and unit trust fund managers.

Money Market Fund (MMF): An MMF is a type of unit trust fund that pools money from many investors and invests it in safe, short-term debt securities like government treasury bills, bank deposits, and commercial paper.

Savings & Investment Platforms You Can Trust

Here are some of Kenya’s digital finance platforms to help you build your future with confidence. These platforms make saving and investing simple, safe, and smart.

1. Ndovu
• Average Return: ~12–15% (varies by portfolio and risk profile)
• Minimum Investment: KES 5,000
• Highlights: Invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) including U.S. stocks and are licensed by Capital Markets Authority (CMA).
• Website: ndovu.co

2. Etica
• Average Return: ~8–10% (via SACCOs and MMFs)
• Minimum Investment: KES 500
• Highlights: Automated savings and low-risk investments with licensed partners.
• Website: etica.co.ke

3. Chumz
• Average Return: ~9–11%
• Minimum Investment: KES 5
• Highlights: Save based on spending behavior with gamified nudges.
• Website: chumz.io

4. Hisa App
• Average Return: Varies (based on market performance of U.S. and Kenyan stocks)
• Minimum Investment: KES 100
• Highlights: Invest in stocks and ETFs. Learn as you earn with educational content.
• Website: hisa.co

5. Ziidi by Safaricom (Pilot)
• Average Return: ~9–10%
• Minimum Investment: KES 100
• Highlights: Invest directly via the M-Pesa app into a money market fund.
• Website: ziidi.safaricom

6. Cytonn Money Market Fund
• Average Return: ~18.3%
• Minimum Investment: KES 1,000
• Website: cytonn.com

7. Britam Money Market Fund
• Average Return: ~10%
• Minimum Investment: KES 1,000
• Website: britam.com

8. Sanlam Money Market Fund
• Average Return: ~9.8%
• Minimum Investment: KES 2,500
• Website: sanlam.co.ke

9. NCBA Money Market Fund
• Average Return: ~10%
• Minimum Investment: KES 5,000
• Website: ncbagroup.com

10. Zimele Money Market Fund

• Average Return: ~9.5%
• Minimum Investment: KES 100
• Website: zimele.co.ke

11. ICEA Lion Money Market Fund

• Average Return: ~10.1%
• Minimum Investment: KES 5,000
• Website: icealion.com

12. Old Mutual Money Market Fund

• Average Return: ~9.8%
• Minimum Investment: KES 2,000
• Website: oldmutual.co.ke

13. Dhow CSD

• Average Return: ~14%
• Minimum Investment: KES 50,000
• Highlights: Invest in government bonds.
• Website: treasury.go.ke

14. KCB Money Market Fund

• Average Return: ~14%
• Minimum Investment: KES 5,000
• Website: kcbgroup.com

15. Mansa X by Standard Investment Bank

•Average Return: ~18%
• Minimum Investment: KES 250,000
• Highlights: Invest in international stocks
• Website: https://sib.co.ke/

16. Branch savings account

• Average Return: ~16% on savings
• Lock in period: 12 months
• Website: https://branch.co.ke/

Why Start Saving and Investing Now?

1. The Power of Compounding:

• Compounding is essentially earning “interest on interest.” The earlier you start, the longer your money has to grow.

• Even small amounts invested consistently over a long period can yield substantial returns.

  
  

2. Building a Financial Safety Net:

• Life is unpredictable. Unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or job loss can derail your finances.

• Saving and investing creates a buffer, giving you peace of mind and preventing you from falling into debt. An emergency fund is your first line of defense.

3. Achieving Long-Term Goals:

• Whether it’s buying a house, funding your children’s education, or retiring comfortably, these goals require significant financial planning.

• Starting early allows you to break down these large goals into manageable steps, making them more attainable. Investing provides the potential for your money to grow faster than simply saving it in a bank account.

4. Early Retirement Planning:

• Social security or pension plans may not be sufficient to cover your retirement expenses. Starting to save and invest early allows you to build a substantial retirement plan, giving you financial independence in your later years.

• With the average Kenyan retirement age at 60 years, but life expectancy rising to 67+, planning for a post-retirement income is more important than ever [source].

5. Developing Good Financial Habits:

• Saving and investing are habits that develop skills like budgeting, tracking expenses, and making informed investment decisions.

Final Thoughts

Saving and investing isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for everyone. Whether you’re putting aside KES 100 a week or looking to build a long-term portfolio, the tools are now within reach.

By partnering with trusted platforms like Ndovu, Etica, and Chumz, we’re making it easier for Kamoa users to build wealth, grow confidence, and secure their futures.

Download the Kamoa app here today and use the Grow feature to gain insights into your spending habits — and keep an eye out, we’ve got more powerful financial tools and products coming your way soon!