NAIROBI, Nov. 26 — Kenyan and Somali stock exchanges on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance cross-border investment and financial integration in East Africa. The agreement, which was signed in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, between the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) of Kenya and the National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES), supports a shared vision of promoting cross-border listings, investor access, capacity-building, and regulatory harmonization across the region. Yasin M. Ibar, chief executive officer of the NSES, said Somali entrepreneurs have relied for decades on informal trust networks and family capital to grow their businesses. “This partnership is how we change that story, creating a transparent, regulated marketplace where opportunity is open to everyone,” he said in a statement issued in Nairobi. Under the agreement, the NSES and the NSE will cooperate on technology transfer, dual-listing frameworks, investor education, and the development of Shariah-compliant financial instruments such as Sukuk bonds. The partnership also commits both exchanges to aligning with East African Securities Exchanges Association protocols to promote seamless trade and transparent governance across borders. Through this collaboration, the NSES gains access to the NSE’s technical capabilities and experience in listing, surveillance, and post-trade systems, while the NSE gains a new frontier for regional listings and diaspora engagement. Frank Mwiti, chief executive officer of the NSE, said the collaboration reinforces NSE’s mission to position Nairobi as the gateway to regional capital flows. “The future of African capital markets lies in connectivity. Through this MoU, we are proud to stand with NSES in advancing a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable regional market that will benefit investors and issuers across East Africa,” Mwiti said.
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