 has certified 15 new firms in a move expected to mobilize more than $200 million in investment){kind=link}
Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC) has certified 15 new firms in a move expected to mobilize more than $200 million in investment and create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The latest group of certified companies spans sectors including artificial intelligence, digital finance, climate and carbon markets, healthcare, investment management and financial technology, reflecting the country’s push to attract capital into high-growth industries.
The move forms part of a broader strategy to establish Nairobi as Africa’s leading gateway for international capital and financial innovation, as competition among emerging financial centers across the continent intensifies.
NIFC Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mainda said the certifications signal growing confidence in Kenya’s regulatory and investment environment.
“Every firm we certify is making a deliberate vote of confidence in Kenya’s future,” Mainda said in a statement. “Collectively, these firms are building the ecosystem that will define the next generation of finance in Africa.”
Several of the newly certified firms are focused on digital assets and technology-driven financial services, including virtual asset-enabled payments, tokenized securities, digital fundraising platforms and artificial intelligence applications for financial services.
Climate finance also featured prominently among the new certifications. Companies involved in afforestation, bioenergy and carbon-credit development are expected to support Kenya’s sustainability agenda while expanding investment opportunities linked to green growth.
The latest additions come as the NIFC expands international partnerships aimed at increasing Kenya’s integration with global financial markets. The Centre has signed cooperation agreements with financial hubs including the Qatar Financial Centre, the Astana International Financial Centre and Casablanca Finance City to improve access to global investors and strengthen cross-border collaboration.
The announcement also follows Kenya’s approval to host the Secretariat of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, a development that could reinforce Nairobi’s role in regional financial coordination and capital mobilization.
Since its revitalization under President William Ruto’s administration, the NIFC has pursued policy reforms and regulatory coordination designed to attract investment and position Nairobi among Africa’s fastest-growing international financial centers.
While the projected investment inflows and job creation targets underscore Kenya’s ambitions, attention will likely focus on how quickly the certified firms convert commitments into tangible economic activity and broader gains for the economy.