The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), in partnership with NCBA Investment Bank and Abojani Investment, has taken a bold step toward shaping the future of Kenya’s capital markets through a teen-focused financial literacy workshop designed to nurture financially confident young investors. The initiative places NCBA and Abojani youth investor empowerment at the centre of efforts to close the growing generational gap in investment participation.
Held on December 15, 2025, at the NSE Headquarters in Nairobi, the high-impact workshop brought together teenagers aged 12 to 17, introducing them to the fundamentals of money management, saving, and investing at an early age. The session was designed to demystify investing and encourage a culture where young people see the stock market as accessible and relevant to their everyday lives.
Speaking during the session, Samuel Gichohi, Head of Business Development at NCBA Investment Bank, noted that the current investor landscape presents a long-term challenge.
“The average age of active investors at the NSE is between 40 and 50 years. If we do not intentionally bring in younger investors now, the market will struggle to sustain itself in the future,” Gichohi said, underscoring the importance of NCBA and Abojani Youth Investor Empowerment in building a resilient financial ecosystem.
Abojani Investment’s Nancy Nasimiyu echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that many young people enter adulthood without a clear understanding of money.
“Youth often step into the job market without basic financial knowledge. Our goal is to show them that with the right habits budgeting, saving, smart spending, and early investing they can start building economic security even before turning 18,” she said.
NCBA and Abojani Youth Investor Empowerment Builds Practical Money Skills
The workshop emphasized practical, easy-to-understand concepts aimed at helping teens shift their mindset from simply earning money to growing it over time. Through NCBA and Abojani Youth Investor Empowerment, participants were guided on how to make money work for them through disciplined financial planning and long-term investing.
Sessions began with core financial literacy principles, including budgeting and managing expenses to create disposable income. One of the key lessons was the widely used 50/30/20 rule, where students learned to allocate 50 percent of income to needs, 30 percent to wants, and 20 percent to savings or investments.
Teens were also introduced to the importance of emergency funds, with facilitators explaining that financial setbacks are part of life and business. Setting aside money for unexpected situations was presented as a critical foundation for responsible investing.
Investment basics formed a central part of the programme. Through real-life examples, participants learned how investors earn interest by lending to the government through bonds and how dividends are generated by owning shares in companies they already recognize as consumers. They were also taught how to think about losses and market fluctuations in a realistic and informed way an essential element of NCBA and Abojani Youth Investor Empowerment
A key highlight of the session was the introduction of Junior Central Depository System (CDS) accounts. Facilitators explained how custodial Junior CDS accounts allow minors to legally own shares under the guidance of a parent or guardian, giving young investors the advantage of time and compounding returns.
The learning experience was further enriched by a guided visit to the NSE trading floor, where students observed live trading and gained insight into how everyday consumption links to shareholder value.
For NCBA Investment Bank, the workshop reinforced its long-term commitment to early financial empowerment. By partnering with Abojani and the NSE, the bank continues to promote accessible investment pathways, including Junior CDS accounts, as part of its broader strategy to support NCBA and Abojani Youth Investor Empowerment and cultivate the next generation of informed, confident investors.
As Kenya’s capital markets look to the future, initiatives such as this signal a growing recognition that sustainable growth begins with educating young people early and giving them the tools to invest with confidence.
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