NCBA Investment Bank, in partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), has launched the 2026 NSE Investment Challenge, an initiative aimed at expanding financial literacy and encouraging more young people to participate in Kenya’s capital markets.
The programme targets more than 30,000 participants drawn from universities and youth segments across the country, in a bid to build a stronger pipeline of future retail investors.
Challenge to Run Until June 2027
The 2026 edition of the NSE Investment Challenge will run until June 2027, offering participants a gamified learning experience on investing through the SokoPlay platform.
Top performers will receive cash prizes of KES 100,000, KES 60,000, and KES 40,000, respectively. The winnings will be deposited directly into CDS accounts held with NCBA Investment Bank Brokerage.
Beyond the prizes, participants will undergo training in financial literacy, investing principles, and wealth creation strategies, strengthening the programme’s educational value.
NCBA Emphasises Financial Inclusion and Early Investment Culture
Speaking during the launch, NCBA Investment Bank Managing Director Muathi Kilonzo said the initiative goes beyond sponsorship, focusing instead on building practical investment skills among young people.
“Our partnership with the NSE Investment Challenge is about more than sponsorship; it is about equipping young people with practical investment knowledge, exposure to capital markets, and confidence to begin their investment journeys early,” Kilonzo said.
He added that NCBA remains committed to building a digitally enabled investment ecosystem that supports financial inclusion and long-term wealth creation.
NSE Highlights Value of Financial Literacy Partnerships
Nairobi Securities Exchange Chief Operating Officer David Wainaina underscored the importance of partnerships in deepening retail investor participation and improving financial literacy among youth.
“The NSE Investment Challenge is designed to bridge the gap between financial education and practical market participation by giving young people hands-on exposure to investing through a safe and engaging platform,” Wainaina said.
He noted that collaboration with NCBA Investment Bank Brokerage will help expand access to Kenya’s capital markets while nurturing an investment-ready generation.
Growing Youth Participation in Capital Markets
The initiative builds on strong participation recorded in 2025, when the NSE Investment Challenge attracted more than 10,000 new registrations from over 50 tertiary institutions across Kenya.
Organisers say this growth reflects rising interest among young people in financial education, investing, and wealth creation, as well as increasing awareness of opportunities within the capital markets.
Strengthening Kenya’s Investment Ecosystem
Through the partnership, NCBA Investment Bank aims to reinforce its position within Kenya’s retail investment ecosystem while advancing its corporate purpose of “Banking on Belief; Empowering Ambitions.”
The collaboration also aligns with broader efforts to promote digital simplicity in financial services and expand access to investment opportunities for the next generation of Kenyan investors.