Investment Apps in Kenya: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

In recent years, Kenya has experienced a quiet revolution in personal finance, driven by the widespread adoption of mobile phones and a young, tech-savvy population eager to build wealth and boost their financial literacy.

Enter investment apps - a game-changing tool empowering everyday Kenyans to invest small amounts, earn competitive returns, and even buy securities, opportunities once exclusive to the wealthy elite. With just Ksh. 100, you can now tap into a growing number of online platforms offering daily payouts - whether through interest or dividends - right at your fingertips.

In this article, we’ll explore the two main approaches to investing - active and passive - and highlight the best apps available in Kenya today, helping you pick the one that suits your goals and lifestyle.

How much can you make from investment apps?

The promise of growing your money through an investment app is exciting, but how much you can actually earn varies widely. It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer—it hinges on a few key factors that shape your returns. Let’s break down the two biggest ones: your risk tolerance and how much you’re willing to invest.

What’s your risk tolerance

Investment apps in Kenya offer options ranging from low-risk, steady-growth opportunities to high-risk, high-reward ventures. Your comfort with risk plays a huge role in determining your potential earnings.

• Low Risk: If you prefer playing it safe, apps offering savings or fixed-income products (like money market funds) might appeal to you. For example, some Kenyan apps tied to money market funds offer annual returns of 8-12%, paid out daily or monthly. With Ksh. 1,000 invested, you could earn Ksh. 80-120 in a year—modest, but reliable.
• High Risk: On the other end, apps that let you trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, or forex carry more uncertainty but bigger potential. A successful stock pick could double your money in months, while a bad call might wipe out your gains. For instance, investing Ksh. 5,000 in a volatile asset might net you Ksh. 10,000—or leave you with less than you started.

Your appetite for risk will steer you toward the apps and strategies that match your goals—whether that’s slow and steady wealth-building or chasing bigger payouts.

What’s your budget?

The size of your investment is just as critical. Most Kenyan apps are designed for accessibility, letting you start with as little as Ksh. 100, but the reality is simple: the more you put in, the more you can potentially earn (or lose).

• Small Investments: Starting with Ksh. 100 in a high-interest savings app yielding 10% annually might earn you Ksh. 10 in a year—enough for a cup of tea, but not life-changing. These small stakes are perfect for testing the waters or building a habit.
• Larger Investments: Pump in Ksh. 10,000 into the same app, and that 10% return becomes Ksh. 1,000 annually—now we’re talking tangible growth. Scale it up to Ksh. 100,000 in a diversified portfolio (say, stocks and bonds via an app), and your earnings could climb into the tens of thousands over time, depending on performance.

Compounding also kicks in here: reinvesting your earnings can snowball your returns, especially with apps that pay out daily or monthly.

Other Factors to Consider

While risk and investment size are the heavy hitters, a few other elements can nudge your returns:

• App Fees: Some apps charge transaction or management fees that eat into your profits. Look for low- or no-fee options to maximize what you keep.
• Market Conditions: Economic trends, interest rates, and global events (like inflation or currency shifts) can boost or shrink your earnings, especially in active investments like stocks.
• Time: The longer you stay invested, the more your money can grow—patience often pays off.

In short, your earnings could range from pocket change to a serious nest egg, depending on how you play the game. In the next section, we’ll dive into the best apps in Kenya to help you turn these factors into action.

Factors to consider when choosing an investment app

Not all investment apps are created equal. They cater to different audiences—sometimes with little overlap—meaning the app that’s perfect for your neighbor might not work for you. To find the right fit, you’ll need to weigh several factors based on your personal needs and goals. Here are the seven key considerations to guide your choice:

1. What is your goal?: First things first - what are you investing for? Your goal shapes everything else. Are you stashing cash for a short-term win, like buying a TV in six months, or aiming for a long-term dream, like a house in two years or more? Maybe you just want a safe spot to park your money and earn interest, or perhaps you’re chasing big gains—doubling or even tripling your investment. Pinpoint your endgame, and it’ll be easier to map out the right app and strategy to get there.

2. What is your budget?: Your budget is a dealbreaker. Some Kenyan apps welcome you with as little as Ksh. 100—perfect for dipping your toes in—while others demand a heftier upfront commitment, like Ksh. 100,000, to unlock premium features or higher returns. The app you pick needs to match what you’re ready to part with, whether it’s pocket change or a serious chunk of savings.

3. How much risk can you take?: Risk levels vary wildly across investment options. Money Market Funds (MMFs), for instance, lean safe by investing in bonds and treasury bills, offering steady but modest returns. Stocks or cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, are rollercoasters - potentially lucrative, but volatile enough to keep you up at night, especially if you’re risking your child’s school fees. Know your risk appetite before you commit.

4. Is it easy to use?: A good app shouldn’t feel like a brain teaser. You want a clean interface where depositing money or cashing out is straightforward - not a frustrating puzzle. Check user reviews or test the app yourself to ensure it’s intuitive, especially if you’re new to investing.

5. How much do they charge?: Fees are the lifeline most deposit-taking apps have, but it’s very easy for them to be too much. The worst-case scenario is where the fees are so exorbitant, they eat up all your earnings.

6. Is it safe?: Security is non-negotiable. The last thing you want is to pour your hard-earned shillings into an app only to lose it all to a scam or collapse with no way to recover. At a minimum, choose an app regulated by Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) - it’s your assurance of legitimacy and some level of oversight. Bonus points if it offers insurance or clear recourse in case things go south.

7. Passive or active investment?: Finally, decide how hands-on you want to be. Kenya’s investment app scene splits into two styles: passive and active. Passive apps—like some tied to MMFs or savings—let you set it and forget it, steadily growing your money with minimal effort. Active apps—like those offering stocks or forex—demand more attention, letting you trade and tweak your portfolio for potentially bigger rewards (or losses). Apps like Dosikaa, Ndovu, or Ziidi each lean one way or the other, so your preference here will narrow your options.

Best Investment Apps in Kenya

Kenya’s investment landscape is booming, fueled by a mobile-first economy and a growing appetite for wealth-building among its 35 million+ smartphone users. Investment apps have become the bridge to financial empowerment, offering everyday Kenyans—from Nairobi hustlers to rural savers—tools to grow their money with just a few taps.

But what makes an app “best” in this crowded market? It boils down to five key pillars: usability (how intuitive and seamless the experience is), minimum investment (accessibility for small-scale investors), returns (competitive earnings potential), security (trustworthy safeguards for your cash), and regulation by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) (a stamp of legitimacy in Kenya’s financial ecosystem). Below, we spotlight four standout apps that excel in these areas, catering to diverse needs in 2025.

1. Dosikaa

Overview: Launched as a joint initiative by the CMA and Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) to boost retail participation, Dosikaa aims to democratize stock trading for Kenyans.

Features: Real-time trading of NSE-listed stocks, live market data, and portfolio tracking—all packed into a mobile-first platform.

Pros: As a CMA-regulated app, it offers credibility and skips broker fees for select trades, saving users cash. Its comprehensive data (e.g., stock prices, historical trends) empowers informed decisions.

Cons: User reviews on X and app stores highlight occasional performance hiccups—like lag during peak trading hours—and a lack of advanced analysis tools (e.g., technical indicators) that seasoned investors might miss.

Best for: Beginners dipping their toes into the NSE and investors focused solely on Kenyan stocks. Think of it as a no-frills entry point for someone starting with Ksh. 1,000 to buy Safaricom shares.

2. Ndovu

Overview: A wealth-tech platform bridging local and global markets, Ndovu positions itself as Kenya’s go-to for diversified investing.

Features: Access to ETFs, bonds, and US stocks (think Apple or Tesla), with a low entry point of Ksh. 500 or $5. Its sleek app design simplifies portfolio management.

Pros: CMA regulation ensures trust, while its variety—spanning Nairobi to New York—suits ambitious investors. Posts on X praise its user-friendly interface, with a reported 13.06% annual return on the Ndovu Fund (as of early 2025).

Cons: USD transactions come with fees (e.g., currency conversion costs), and withdrawals can take 2-3 days—slower than M-Pesa-integrated rivals.

Best for: Long-term investors seeking diversification beyond Kenya’s borders. Perfect for someone with Ksh. 10,000 aiming to blend local bonds with US tech stocks.

3. Hisa

Overview: Hisa brings fractional shares to the table, letting Kenyans own a slice of NSE and global stocks without breaking the bank.

Features: Start with as little as Ksh. 100, tap into community insights via in-app forums, and access educational resources like beginner guides.

Pros: Its affordability and learning tools make it a hit among young Kenyans—X posts call it “the app for hustlers.” CMA oversight adds a safety net.

Cons: Compared to Ndovu, its asset classes are narrower (no bonds or ETFs yet), limiting options for broader diversification.

Best for: Young investors starting small—say, a student with Ksh. 500 wanting a piece of Equity Bank or Tesla. Its community vibe also suits those who value peer tips.

4. Ziidi

Overview: Launched in 2025 by Safaricom, Ziidi is an M-Pesa-integrated money market fund (MMF) that’s taken Kenya by storm, hitting over Ksh. 6 billion in funds and 1 million+ opt-ins by March (per TechCabal).

Features: Invest from Ksh. 100, earn daily interest (7% net return as of March 2025), and withdraw instantly to M-Pesa—no fuss, no delays.

Pros: Its M-Pesa tie-in makes it insanely accessible—dial 3345# and you’re in. CMA regulation and Safaricom’s backing ( with partners like Standard Investment Bank) ensure trust. The Ksh. 6 billion milestone reflects its rapid adoption.

Cons: Returns lag behind Safaricom’s older MMF, Mali (11% per recent reports), and it’s MMF-only—no stocks or bonds for active investors. Some X users note confusion with Mali’s overlap, too.

Best for: Risk-averse savers and M-Pesa loyalists seeking simplicity. Ideal for someone with Ksh. 1,000 who wants steady, low-effort growth over speculative bets.

Comparison of the Best Investment Apps in Kenya (March 2025)

Notes:

• Dosikaa’s minimum isn’t explicitly stated; Ksh. 1,000 is an estimate based on typical NSE trade entry points.
• Returns are approximate or based on available data (e.g., Ndovu’s 13.06% from X posts, Ziidi’s 7% from TechCabal).
• Fees and usability ratings are inferred from your pros/cons where exact figures aren’t provided.
• Always verify current rates and terms directly with each app, as they may fluctuate.

Conclusion

Kenya’s financial landscape is evolving fast, and investment apps are at the heart of this shift, putting wealth-building tools into the hands of millions—whether you’re starting with Ksh. 100 or aiming to diversify across global markets. From Ziidi’s M-Pesa-powered simplicity to Ndovu’s high-yield global reach, the options we’ve explored show there’s something for everyone: beginners, risk-takers, savers, and dreamers alike. Choosing the right app comes down to your goals, budget, and comfort with risk—balanced against usability, fees, and the peace of mind that comes with CMA regulation.

As of March 2025, these apps aren’t just trends—they’re proof of Kenya’s growing financial literacy and mobile-first innovation. Whether you want steady daily interest or a shot at stock market gains, the power to grow your money is now a tap away. Pick an app that fits your life, start small if you need to, and take that first step toward securing your financial future. The tools are here—how you use them is up to you.