14 February 2026
Best Investment Apps in Kenya 2026: Hisa vs Mali vs Ndovu — Complete Comparison
The best investment apps in Kenya 2026 let you start with as little as KES 100 from your phone via M-Pesa — no broker visits, no KES 500,000 minimums, no paperwork. But choosing the wrong investment app costs you significantly in fees, limits your assets, or puts your money in a platform that does not match your goals. This guide compares the best investment apps Kenya has available in 2026 — Hisa, Mali, Ndovu, and four others — by fees, minimum investment, assets, and which type of investor each one suits.
🟢 Updated March 2026 — all fees and platform details current.
Best Investment Apps Kenya 2026 — Quick Comparison
| App | Min investment | Fee structure | Assets | M-Pesa | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisa | KES 100 | 1.5% annual | NSE + US stocks, ETFs | ✅ | Best overall — beginners to intermediate |
| Mali (Safaricom) | KES 100 | 10% p.a. MMF / 1.5% per trade | NSE stocks + MMF | ✅ | Safaricom users, NSE beginners |
| Ndovu | KES 100 | 2.5% annual | ETFs, bonds, MMF | ✅ | Automated investing, goal-based |
| Etica | KES 500 | 0.5% annual | Money market fund | ✅ | Safe savings, emergency fund |
| Chumz | KES 5 | Built into returns | MMF | ✅ | Micro-savers, habit building |
| FXPesa | KES 5,000 | Spread-based | Forex, commodities | ✅ | Experienced traders only |
| Absa Invest | KES 5,000 | 2% annual | Mutual funds | ✅ | Conservative, bank-backed |
Best Investment Apps Kenya 2026 — Detailed Reviews
1. Hisa — Best Investment App Kenya Overall
Minimum investment: KES 100 Annual fee: 1.5% Assets: 6,000+ global and local assets including NSE stocks, US stocks, ETFs, REITs, and mutual funds M-Pesa: Yes CMA licensed: Yes Best for: Any Kenyan investor starting from KES 100 who wants both local and global market access
Hisa is the best investment app in Kenya for 2026 for most users. It combines the lowest minimum investment, the widest asset selection, and the most user-friendly interface of any CMA-licensed platform. You can buy fractional Safaricom shares, invest in the S&P 500 ETF, and hold both in the same portfolio — all from KES 100 via M-Pesa.
What makes Hisa the best investment app Kenya offers:
Access to 6,000+ assets including NSE-listed Kenyan companies (Safaricom, Equity Bank, KCB), US stocks (Apple, Tesla, Microsoft), ETFs, REITs, and mutual funds. Fractional shares mean KES 1,000 buys part of any stock regardless of its price. Educational content, community features, and market news are built directly into the app — making it genuinely useful for first-time investors.
Fee breakdown — what KES 10,000 costs on Hisa:
| Fee type | Rate | Cost on KES 10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 1.5% annually | KES 150/year |
| Deposit | Free | KES 0 |
| Withdrawal | Free | KES 0 |
| FX conversion (US stocks) | 1% | KES 100 per conversion |
Real returns example — KES 10,000 in S&P 500 ETF:
- Annual market return: 12% = KES 1,200
- Hisa management fee: 1.5% = KES 150
- Net profit: KES 1,050 — 10.5% net return
Best investment apps Kenya comparison — Hisa vs alternatives: Hisa beats Mali on asset variety (6,000+ vs NSE-only for stocks). Hisa beats Ndovu on fees (1.5% vs 2.5%). Hisa ties with Mali on minimum investment (KES 100 each). Hisa loses to Etica on safety — Etica’s money market fund carries zero stock market risk.
Who should use Hisa: Anyone aged 18–45 wanting growth from both Kenyan and global markets. The best first investment app Kenya beginners should start with.
2. Mali (Safaricom) — Best Investment App Kenya for NSE Beginners
Minimum investment: KES 100 (MMF) / KES 500 (NSE stocks) Fee structure: MMF earns approximately 10% p.a. / NSE stocks: 1.5% per trade Assets: NSE stocks + Safaricom M-Pesa money market fund M-Pesa: Yes — native M-Pesa integration CMA licensed: Yes Best for: Safaricom M-Pesa users who want the simplest possible entry to NSE investing
Mali is Safaricom’s own investment platform — accessible directly through M-Pesa. This makes it the most accessible investment app Kenya has for anyone already using M-Pesa, which is virtually every adult Kenyan.
Two products in one app:
Mali Money Market Fund: Deposit from KES 100, earn approximately 10% annually compounded daily, withdraw anytime with no penalties. Funds arrive to M-Pesa within minutes. This is the simplest and safest way to earn more than a bank savings account on money you might need within days.
Mali NSE Stocks: Buy Safaricom, Equity Bank, KCB, and other NSE-listed companies from KES 500. Owns actual shares registered in your name via CDS account. Dividends are paid directly to M-Pesa.
Fee breakdown — what KES 10,000 costs on Mali:
- MMF: No transaction fee — returns are net of management charges
- NSE trades: 1.5% per transaction (same as Hisa for stock purchases)
- Withdrawal: No fee for MMF
Best investment apps Kenya — Mali’s unique advantage: No separate app download required for M-Pesa users. The integration with Safaricom means the buying experience for NSE stocks is the simplest of any platform. For KCB shares before the April 2 book close, Mali is the fastest route.
Who should use Mali: Safaricom M-Pesa users who want the simplest M-Pesa-to-investment experience. Particularly good for the Mali MMF as a savings vehicle and for first-time NSE stock purchases.
See our How to Buy Safaricom Shares Kenya 2026 guide for the complete Mali NSE step-by-step walkthrough.
3. Ndovu — Best Investment App Kenya for Automated Investing
Minimum investment: KES 100 (MMF) / KES 7,500 (ETFs) / KES 50,000 (bonds) Annual fee: 2.5% Assets: ETFs (10+ options including gold and Sharia-compliant), bonds, money market funds M-Pesa: Yes CMA licensed: Yes — Fund Manager licence plus Investment Adviser registration Best for: Investors who want professional automated portfolio management without daily attention
Ndovu is the best investment app Kenya offers for automated, goal-based investing. You set your goal — retirement, education, emergency fund — and Ndovu allocates your money across ETFs, bonds, and money market funds matched to your risk tolerance. Quarterly rebalancing happens automatically.
Three portfolio types:
- Conservative: 70% bonds, 30% stocks — suitable for 1–3 year goals
- Moderate: 50% bonds, 50% stocks — suitable for 3–7 year goals
- Aggressive: 80% stocks, 20% bonds — suitable for 7+ year goals
Ndovu MMF: Earns 10–13% annually, available from KES 100, withdrawable in 2–3 business days — competitive with the best Kenyan money market funds.
Ndovu ETFs: Access to 10+ global ETFs from KES 7,500. Dollar-denominated, with a KES 60 convenience fee per transaction. Recommended holding period of one year.
Fee breakdown — what KES 10,000 costs on Ndovu:
| Fee type | Rate | Cost on KES 10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 2.5% annually | KES 250/year |
| Deposit | Free | KES 0 |
| Withdrawal | KES 50 | KES 50 per withdrawal |
Real returns example — KES 10,000 in Moderate Portfolio:
- Annual return: 10% = KES 1,000
- Ndovu fee: 2.5% = KES 250
- Net profit: KES 750 — 7.5% net
Ndovu’s 2.5% fee is the highest among the best investment apps Kenya offers for stocks and ETFs. The trade-off is genuine automation — no decisions required once you set your goal.
Who should use Ndovu: Busy professionals who want to set up monthly auto-investments and check their portfolio quarterly rather than daily. Best investment app Kenya for retirement planning.
4. Etica — Best Investment App Kenya for Safe Savings
Minimum investment: KES 500 Annual fee: 0.5% Assets: Money market fund M-Pesa: Yes CMA licensed: Yes Best for: Emergency fund, short-term savings (1–3 years), risk-averse investors
Etica is the best investment app Kenya has for safe, consistent returns without stock market risk. The 0.5% annual fee is the lowest of any platform in this comparison. At 8–10% annually versus 2–3% in a bank savings account, KES 100,000 in Etica earns approximately KES 8,500 net per year — versus KES 2,500 in a bank.
Real returns comparison — KES 100,000:
| Platform | Annual return | Fee | Net return | Net KES earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank savings | 2.5% | 0% | 2.5% | KES 2,500 |
| Etica MMF | 9% | 0.5% | 8.5% | KES 8,500 |
| Hisa S&P 500 | 12% | 1.5% | 10.5% | KES 10,500 (variable) |
Who should use Etica: Anyone who needs their money within one to two years and cannot afford stock market volatility. Keep three to six months emergency expenses in Etica — not in a bank account.
5. Chumz — Best Investment App Kenya for Micro-Savers
Minimum investment: KES 5 Annual return: 9–11% Assets: Money market fund M-Pesa: Yes Best for: Building a savings habit from zero — smallest possible amounts
Chumz connects to M-Pesa and saves small amounts automatically based on your spending behaviour — it prompts you to save a portion after each M-Pesa transaction. The minimum of KES 5 makes it the most accessible savings platform in Kenya. Returns of 9–11% annually compound daily.
Who should use Chumz: Anyone who struggles to save consistently. Chumz builds the habit automatically before you move to larger investment platforms.
6. FXPesa — For Experienced Traders Only
⚠️ Warning: 70–80% of forex traders lose money. This is not investing — it is speculation. For experienced traders with risk capital only.
Minimum investment: KES 5,000 Fee: Spread-based Assets: Forex, commodities M-Pesa: Yes CMA licensed: Yes
FXPesa earns its CMA licence and offers a genuine regulated platform. The risk is not the platform — it is the product. Forex trading requires significant expertise, daily attention, and the ability to lose your entire investment. Do not use FXPesa with money you cannot afford to lose completely.
Who should use FXPesa: Only traders with 2+ years of experience in forex markets and a dedicated risk capital budget separate from savings and investments.
Best Investment Apps Kenya 2026 — Which One Is Right For You?
By investment goal
| Goal | Best investment app Kenya |
|---|---|
| Maximum growth, long-term | Hisa — global stocks and ETFs |
| Safe savings, emergency fund | Etica or Mali MMF |
| NSE Kenyan stocks only | Mali or Hisa |
| Automated hands-off investing | Ndovu |
| Habit building, micro-saving | Chumz |
| Infrastructure bonds direct | DhowCSD (CBK) — KES 50,000 minimum |
By monthly investment amount
| Monthly amount | Best investment apps Kenya strategy |
|---|---|
| KES 100–500 | Hisa (stocks) or Mali MMF |
| KES 500–2,000 | 70% Hisa + 30% Etica |
| KES 2,000–10,000 | 50% Hisa + 30% Mali NSE + 20% Etica |
| KES 10,000+ | 40% Hisa + 30% Ndovu + 20% Mali NSE + 10% Etica |
By age
| Age | Recommended allocation |
|---|---|
| 20–35 | 70% Hisa (growth) + 30% Mali MMF (safety) |
| 35–50 | 50% Ndovu (balanced) + 30% Hisa + 20% Etica |
| 50+ | 40% Etica + 40% Ndovu conservative + 20% Mali NSE dividends |
How to Get Started — Step by Step
For Hisa (recommended first app):
- Download Hisa from Google Play or App Store
- Register with your phone number and email
- Upload your National ID photo for verification (5–60 minutes)
- Deposit via M-Pesa Paybill: 400222, account number: your phone number
- Search for S&P 500 ETF (VOO or SPY) → tap Buy → enter amount → confirm
For Mali MMF (simplest start):
- Open M-Pesa on your Safaricom line
- Select Mali
- Deposit from KES 100
- Funds earn approximately 10% annually from the next business day
- Withdraw anytime — no penalties, no minimum holding period
Are Kenya Investment Apps Safe?
All platforms reviewed here are CMA (Capital Markets Authority of Kenya) licensed. CMA licensing means the firm meets minimum capital requirements, undergoes regular audits, and maintains segregated client funds — your money is not mixed with the company’s own funds.
Verify any investment app Kenya before depositing: Go to cma.or.ke → Licensed Entities → confirm the platform appears. If it is not listed, do not invest.
Red flags for investment app scams Kenya:
- Not CMA licensed
- Promises guaranteed returns above 20%
- Requires recruiting others to earn
- No verifiable company address or directors
- Asks for M-Pesa PIN (legitimate apps never ask for this)
FAQ
Which is the best investment app in Kenya in 2026?
Hisa is the best investment app Kenya offers for most users — lowest minimum (KES 100), widest asset selection (6,000+ assets), and competitive 1.5% annual fee. For pure safety, Etica is the best investment app Kenya has for saving without risk. For NSE stocks specifically, Mali and Hisa are both excellent.
What is the minimum investment in Kenya investment apps?
Chumz accepts from KES 5. Hisa and Mali accept from KES 100. Etica from KES 500. Ndovu ETFs from KES 7,500. FXPesa from KES 5,000.
Which investment app Kenya is best for NSE stocks?
Both Hisa and Mali provide direct NSE access with 1.5% per trade. Mali’s native M-Pesa integration makes it slightly simpler for first-time stock buyers. Hisa adds global stocks alongside NSE — making it the better long-term platform.
How do Kenya investment apps pay you?
NSE dividends are paid directly to your registered M-Pesa or bank account on the company’s payment date. MMF returns accrue daily and are visible in your app balance. ETF returns are reflected in your portfolio value.
Can I use multiple investment apps Kenya simultaneously?
Yes — this is the recommended strategy. Using Hisa for growth, Etica for safety, and Mali for NSE exposure gives you diversification across platforms. Each app uses a different pool of assets.
Platform details verified March 2026. Fees and minimums may change — verify on each platform’s app or website before investing. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Related guides:
- How to Invest in NSE Kenya 2026 — complete CDS account guide
- Best Kenyan Stocks 2026 — top 10 NSE picks
- Best Money Market Funds Kenya 2026 — full MMF comparison
- How to Build Passive Income Kenya 2026 — complete blueprint
- NSE Dividend Calendar 2026 — all payment dates
- How to Invest KES 10,000 in Kenya 2026 — practical allocation guide
- Best Forex Brokers Kenya 2026 – to learn more about forex