CMA LICENSES NEW MARKET ENTRANTS ACROSS ADVISORY, REIT MANAGEMENT, COFFEE BROKERAGE AND DIGITAL INTERMEDIATION TO DEEPEN AND DIVERSIFY KENYA’S CAPITAL MARKETS

Nairobi, 06 July 2026…… The Capital Markets Authority has granted various licences to firms seeking to operate as market intermediaries across a broad cross-section of Kenya’s capital markets. They include investment advisory, real estate investment trust (REIT) management, coffee brokerage and digital intermediation and form part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to deepen Kenya’s capital markets, enhance innovation and expand access to investment services across retail, institutional, corporate, diaspora and high-net-worth investor segments.

Among the firms licensed is Finaltus Limited, which has been granted an Investment Adviser licence. Finaltus is a business, investment and transaction advisory firm based in Nairobi with a presence in several African markets. The licence will enable Finaltus to leverage its expertise in corporate finance, investment due diligence and strategic advisory to provide tailored investment solutions to clients across listed and non-listed entities, with a stated focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities and cross-border transactions in support of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and global sustainability objectives.

The Authority has also approved the entry of Istithmaar Lulu Maknoon Limited (ILM) into the market as a licensed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Manager. ILM is positioned as a Shariah-compliant investment vehicle, with objectives that include raising, managing and deploying capital in Shariah-compliant projects and managing, operating and administering REITs, private equity funds and investor capital in a manner that fully adheres to Shariah principles and aligns with Islamic finance tenets. Its licensing offers investors additional Shariah-compliant options aligned with the country’s wider financial inclusion and market development objectives.