Dear Wazuans,

I am looking into accessing stock market products not available locally. So far the only option I can think of is to work with an international broker like Interactive Brokers/eToro/Trading212.

Does anyone have experience accessing international markets from Kenya? How do you do it?

If working with an international broker is the way to go, what is your experience? Any recommendations/things to watch out for?

Asanteni!

To put things into perspective, during the GFC, DJIA (US30) hit a low of 6469 on March 6th 2009 while our very own NSE20 hit a low of 2360. Fast forward to 2021 and the Dow is currently at 33,400 (up 5 fold) while our NSE20 is at 1864(much lower than the GFC low.
This is the trajedy of the 3rd world....no Govt stimulus to SMEs, zero focus on the NSE by CBK as opposed to FED in the US which intervenes every now and then....to protect wanjiku's pension, no tax incentives, GoK crowding you out through an insatiable appetite for loans through T/Bonds(currently there is an IFB which is very attractive. The last IFB issued in Jan(w/tax free has a coupon of 12.257%) etc etc..

Hapo umenena ni kweli.

The current IFB is looking great indeed but I'm looking to find alternatives offering inflation beating returns.

This wiping out of the purchasing power of bond returns with time has never sat well with me...

Thanks a lot @tandich.

I was really hoping for some info on Interactive Brokers because I'm keen on index funds.

-What was the account opening process like?
-And how about taxes: local KE taxes? Stock exchange taxes at source? How do they [or you] handle that?

Sawa, that's very useful, thanks!

I'm still doing the DD but if you like, you can already let me know how to reach you...

Cheers!

Hmm, very interesting...

CMA needs to get their act together and promote the development of infrastructure to allow Kenyans cheap and easy access to global markets IMHO.

There's so much potential locally! And how can this IFC project succeed if we don't shift ourselves from the margins of the global financial system...?

All one needs to do is to open an account with FXPesa(onboarding process very stress free and fast)

https://www.fxpesa.com/h...=3828&affid=0014187
and start trading.

Looking at the lackluster NSE and wondering how low.
On Friday, the NSE20 closed at 1680, which is the same level it was in March 2003, 20 years ago. And more haircuts on the way as we approach election day.
Was doing some talk to some college students 3 years ago and they would have none of the NSE, T+4 analogue stuff. All they wanted to hear were brands like Tesla, Netflix, Google, Apple, Microsoft. They seemed unaware/disinterested in brands like Equity Bank, Safcom and EABL.
and i realised that our young folks moved on long time ago. They are trading indices like US30, stocks like Teslas,Apple and other international stocks on local Forex brokers like EGM Securities popularly known as FXPesa and Hisa App. and they are making some USDs while at it.
What's more, onboarding is soo fast and everything is soft. no paper work, No T+4 nonsense,no waiting for 1 week to get our funds back after selling,instant payment on Mpesa upon closing a trade, your funds reflect instantly upon funding by Mpesa, very low commissions compared to the NSE where stocks have to go up by 4.3% above your purchase price for you to break even....day trading, short selling, variety of asset classes eg currencies, stocks, commodities and lastly indices.
Should you feel bored with our local, slow, sometimes clueless NSE, please take time and go through the FXPesa website below:
https://www.fxpesa.com/h...=3828&affid=0014187

I conclude by saying that the final goal of every trader is freedom!

Are there Wazuans active in the ETF space? How does one buy Vanguard ETFs from Kenya?

Initial research suggests that one can access them through the broker xtb. Anyone with experience with them?