Investors at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will soon be able to buy or sell a single share, following a major regulatory shift that comes into effect on August 8, 2025.

This change, which removes the restriction that previously required trades to be carried out in blocks of 100 shares or more, has been formalised through approved amendments to the NSE Equity Trading Rules.

The adjustment is expected to ease entry for small-scale investors, particularly first-time participants with limited capital.

Frank Mwiti, the NSE’s Chief Executive, welcomed the reform, saying it marked a decisive step toward a more inclusive market.

"We are pleased to take this significant step towards enhancing retail investor participation in our market," Mwiti stated.

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"This initiative is part of our broader strategic efforts to increase financial inclusion and market accessibility for all investors. It aligns with our vision of increasing the number of active investors to 9 million by the year 2029.”

The ability to transact in single units is seen as a key strategy for attracting a broader segment of the population to the equities market.

By reducing financial barriers, the exchange aims to empower a new generation of Kenyans to take part in formal investment activity, especially those who have previously been locked out by high minimum trade requirements.

As a result of this transition, the NSE has done away with the Odd Lot Board—a separate trading platform that handled transactions below 100 shares.

From August 8, all share trades, regardless of volume, will be processed through the Main Order Book alongside standard orders.

However, under the newly enacted Rule 7.6.6, the NSE clarified how daily share prices will be determined in light of the new trading model.

“The official daily closing price of a listed equity shall be determined only if the total cumulative traded volume in a session is at least 100 shares or units. If the total cumulative traded volume is below 100, the closing price shall remain the previous average reported by the NSE.”

The rule ensures that price-setting mechanisms remain robust and are not distorted by low-volume trades, even as more retail investors join the market with smaller orders.

This policy shift is part of a larger campaign by the NSE to make the capital markets more accessible and relevant to ordinary Kenyans.

It also brings local trading practices more in line with global standards, where fractional and small-unit trading has become increasingly commonplace.

With this move, the NSE signals a broader intention to grow the depth and breadth of its investor base, while reinforcing its role as a driver of financial inclusion in the country.