Kenyan investors can now access professionally managed investment funds through Absa Next, starting from Sh1,000, as returns on government Treasury bills remain below 10 per cent.
The new offering allows customers to invest in five Absa Unit Trust Funds, including money market, fixed income, balanced and equity funds, directly from their mobile phones.
According to Absa, its Equity Fund has recorded returns of up to 15.95 per cent year-to-date (YTD), although this represents historical performance rather than a guaranteed annual return.
The development comes at a time when investors are evaluating alternatives to traditional savings and government securities.
According to the Central Bank of Kenya, the latest Treasury bill auction recorded average interest rates of 8.75 per cent for the 91-day bill, 8.845 per cent for the 182-day bill and 9.0282 per cent for the 364-day bill.
Money market funds also remain an attractive option for investors seeking liquidity, with Cytonn’s September 2026 market review showing published effective annual yields ranging from 5.3 per cent to 11.1 per cent among the funds surveyed. August 2026
However, Absa’s reported equity fund performance is not directly comparable with Treasury bill yields or money market fund rates because the products carry different risks and use different return measures.
For Kenyan investors, the significance of Absa’s new offering lies in its accessibility and diversification. Customers can invest relatively small amounts across different asset classes without visiting a bank branch.
Speaking during the launch, Moses Muthui, Director of Personal and Private Banking at Absa Bank Kenya, said the bank was making wealth creation more accessible by allowing customers to invest from as little as Sh1,000.
The investment functionality also allows customers to monitor portfolio performance, top up investments and manage multiple investment goals digitally.
Launched in September 2026, Absa Next has attracted more than 300,000 users, according to the bank, and is available to both Absa and non-Absa customers.
The expansion gives Kenyan investors another digital route into collective investment schemes, although investment decisions will still depend on individual risk tolerance, investment horizons, fees and expected returns.