Clearstream Opens Kenya Market Link

Clearstream, Deutsche Börse Group’s post-trade business, opens a new domestic link to Kenya on June 29, 2026. The connection provides institutional investors with efficient access to the local market through a unique omnibus account structure, supporting Kenyan government bonds, infrastructure bonds and treasury bills. Standard Chartered Kenya will serve as Clearstream’s cash correspondent bank for Kenyan Shilling and local custodian with the Central Bank of Kenya.

This expansion comes as Kenya solidifies its position as a leading economic hub in East Africa, showing consistent growth and attracting significant international investor interest. This momentum is further reinforced by Kenya’s expected inclusion in global market indices and underscores its rising prominence among international investors. The new link addresses this growing demand, enabling capital to flow more easily into one of the continent’s most promising markets.

The connection to Kenya is Clearstream’s 60th domestic market link, making it the only ICSD to offer access to the country. This allows Clearstream's clients to easily settle and safekeep Kenyan Government debt securities, use Kenyan debt instruments in collateral management facilities, and perform foreign exchange services for the Kenyan Shilling, all through a single point of access without any local registration or account opening processes. Clearstream’s global market link network connects 60 domestic markets as well as the international market via one single access point, overcoming the challenges of cross-border investing and directing investment flows where they are needed.

Jan Willems, Head of Global Markets at Clearstream, said: “The new link to Kenya is an important milestone as it follows Clearstream’s strategic aim to facilitate global investment and provide further access for our clients to attractive and growing markets. We are delighted to partner with Standard Chartered and the Central Bank of Kenya to connect the Kenyan market to our global network.”

David Luusa, Director Financial Markets at the Central Bank of Kenya, added: “The Central Bank of Kenya welcomes the establishment of the Clearstream-Kenya Link which is expected to provide efficient access by international investors to Kenyan Government securities, supported by the Dhow Central Securities Depository (DhowCSD). This is a significant milestone in developing Kenya’s financial markets. The link is expected to deepen liquidity, broaden the investor base, and enhance resilience of the domestic debt market. This development underscores our commitment to strengthening and modernizing financial market infrastructure, fostering greater integration with the global financial system, and advancing Kenya’s position as one of the leading financial centers in Africa.”

Birju Sanghrajka, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking at Standard Chartered Kenya, commented: “Standard Chartered Kenya is pleased to collaborate with the Central Bank of Kenya and Clearstream to make Kenya, Clearstream’s 60th domestic market link globally and second in Africa after South Africa. This marks an important milestone in the development of Kenya’s financial markets. Increased foreign participation in local government securities is anticipated to bring capital into the economy, broaden the investor base, enhance market liquidity, and promote higher standards of transparency and efficiency.”
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[Editorial note: Please find here a high-resolution photo of Jan Willems.]

About Clearstream
Clearstream is the innovative and trusted post-trade business for the global markets. It runs the leading securities and funds servicing ecosystems of tomorrow. 

The company operates the German and Luxembourg central securities depositories and an international central securities depository for the Eurobonds market. With 22 trillion Euros in assets under custody, it is one of the world’s largest settlement and custody firms for domestic and international securities. 

It also delivers premier fund dealing, distribution, digital and data services, covering over 55 fund markets worldwide. 

Clearstream is part of Deutsche Börse Group, an international exchange organization and provider of innovative market infrastructures.

To learn more, visit us at www.clearstream.com or connect via LinkedIn.

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com.

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Media contacts:
Clearstream     
Tabea Behr
Phone: +49 (0)69 2 11-13 016
tabea.behr@deutsche-boerse.com 

Standard Chartered Kenya 
Mercy Kabangi
Head of Communications, Kenya and Africa
E-mail: Mercy.Kabangi@sc.com

Central Bank of Kenya 
Wallace Kantai
Head of Communications
E-mail: kantaiwg@centralbank.go.ke