NCBA Investment Bank, in partnership with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), has launched the 2026 NSE Investment Challenge, with a target of onboarding more than 30,000 participants across universities and youth segments with the aim to empower the next generation of retail investors.
The challenge will run until June 2027, with the top three participants in the 2026 edition set to receive cash prizes of KES 100,000, KES 60,000, and KES 40,000, respectively. The winnings will be disbursed directly into CDS accounts held with NCBA Investment Bank Brokerage. Participants will also benefit from financial literacy, investing, and wealth creation training, further expanding the programme’s impact and relevance.
Speaking on the partnership, Muathi Kilonzo, Managing Director, NCBA Investment Bank, noted that the collaboration reflects NCBA’s broader ambition to make investing more accessible, relatable, and inclusive for young people entering the financial ecosystem.
“Our partnership with the NSE Investment Challenge is about more than sponsorship; it is about equipping young people with practical investment knowledge, exposure to capital markets, and confidence to begin their investment journeys early. As we continue building a trusted and digitally enabled investment ecosystem, we remain committed to supporting the next generation of investors through platforms that combine education with real-world participation,” said Kilonzo.
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The Challenge, powered by the SokoPlay platform, is a gamified investment education initiative designed to improve financial literacy and cultivate a new generation of retail investors through experiential learning and practical exposure to capital markets.
David Wainaina, Chief Operating Officer, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), highlighted the importance of ecosystem partnerships in deepening retail investor participation and strengthening financial literacy among young people.
“The NSE Investment Challenge is designed to bridge the gap between financial education and practical market participation by giving young people hands-on exposure to investing through a safe and engaging platform. Our partnership with NCBA Investment Bank Brokerage strengthens our shared ambition of building a more financially informed and investment-ready generation while expanding access to Kenya’s capital markets ecosystem,” said Wainaina.
In 2025, the NSE Investment Challenge attracted more than 10,000 new registrations from over 50 tertiary institutions across the country. This performance reflects the growing interest among young people in financial literacy, investing, and wealth creation, as well as the expanding impact and relevance of the programme.
By partnering with NSE on the Investment Challenge, NCBA continues to strengthen its positioning as a trusted advisor within Kenya’s retail investment ecosystem while demonstrating the NCBA Group’s commitment to its purpose, “Banking on Belief; Empowering Ambitions,” and strategic focus on delivering digital simplicity for the modern consumer.
