The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has granted regulatory approval for the establishment of eight new Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) and associated sub-funds. This decision, announced on 26th November 2025, was made in accordance with the provisions of the Capital Markets Act and the recently enacted Capital Markets (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 2023. The initiative forms a core part of CMA’s strategic objective to enhance product diversification, strengthen frameworks for investor protection, and expand the range of regulated collective investment vehicles available within the market.
The newly approved schemes by CMA encompass a wide array of investment focuses and asset classes. These include the Swala Capital Unit Trust Funds, which comprise money market, balanced, and equity funds, as well as the Lofty Corban Unit Trust Scheme, which features special funds for private debt and global assets. Finally, there is a new multi-asset sub-fund under the Sanlam Unit Trust Funds.
Further diversification is introduced by the XENO Unit Trust Scheme, which offers dollar-denominated funds in money markets, international equities, and bonds. The Globetec Unit Trust Scheme presents a comprehensive suite including local and dollar-based fixed income and multi-asset funds, while the Tradiam Unit Trust Scheme adds a money market fund. Most notably, the Capital A Rejesha Umbrella Collective Investment Scheme provides an extensive range of funds, offering both Kenyan Shilling (KES) and US Dollar (USD) share classes across money market, balanced, equity, and fixed income categories.
“The expansion of collective investment schemes is a key driver in promoting savings and investment in the country,” stated Mr. Wycliffe Shamiah, Executive Officer of CMA.
Mr. Shamiah also noted the continued and growing investor appetite for CIS products, which have now surpassed a major milestone of KES 600 billion in Assets Under Management. He stated that these approvals reflect CMA’s unwavering commitment to facilitating progressive market development, whilst simultaneously ensuring robust investor protection and stringent regulatory compliance across all new offerings.
This latest authorization brings the total number of approved collective investment schemes in Kenya to fifty-seven. This expansion substantially enriches the landscape of investment options, providing both retail and institutional investors with a broader, more sophisticated set of tools for portfolio construction and financial growth.
Also Read: CMA Expands Kenya’s Fund Market with New Multi-Currency Schemes
