Nairobi: TECHz – News Desk
Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has officially approved the Wall Street Africa Banking Exchange Traded Fund (WSA Banking ETF), clearing the path for the country’s first locally domiciled ETF. Issued by Wall Street Africa in partnership with Tradiam Asset Managers, the new financial product tracks the performance of the Nairobi Securities Exchange’s (NSE) listed banking sector.
The approval is a significant milestone for Kenya’s capital markets, expanding access to the banking sector through a single listed security for both retail and institutional investors. The WSA Banking ETF is expected to list on the Main Investment Market Segment (MIMS) of the NSE in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the completion of remaining pre-listing requirements. Wall Street Africa aims to raise between KSh 5 billion and KSh 7 billion in committed capital for the fund’s launch.
CMA Chief Executive Wyckliffe Shamiah noted that the ETF addresses investor demand for diverse opportunities and aligns with the regulator’s ambition to encourage innovation. The introduction of the WSA Banking ETF coincides with robust momentum on the Nairobi bourse. The NSE Banking Index posted a 30.9% gain by June 2026 and has risen 62% since October 2025.
The broader market has also experienced significant growth, with total market capitalization surpassing KSh 4 trillion in early August 2026, driven largely by strong performances from lenders such as I&M Group, Stanbic Holdings, and Co-operative Bank.
