NSE targets expansion of capital markets with new Innovation lab

In a statement on Wednesday, NSE said the lab will serve as a strategic engine for applied innovation, a collaborative move that merges technology and market structure, aiming to unlock new frontiers in liquidity, efficiency, and financial inclusion.

“The NSE Innovation Lab is a catalyst for capital markets transformation,” said Frank Mwiti, Chief Executive of the NSE. 

“By bringing together innovators, market participants, and global technology pioneers such as the Hedera Foundation and Hashgraph, we are creating a platform for experimentation, learning, and invention that will power the next generation of Africa’s capital markets.”

The innovation lab, NSE says, will design, test, and scale breakthrough solutions that directly advance its 2025-2029 strategy, deepening capital markets, expanding retail participation, and unlocking access to finance for SMEs and women-owned enterprises, positioning Kenya as Africa's innovation gateway for capital markets.

The lab aims to accelerate innovation in sustainable finance, digital assets, tokenized instruments, and intelligent market data systems, while pioneering new models for regional market connectivity, investor inclusion, and product development. 

The NSE added that there are ongoing discussions with other prospective strategic partners, including global technology companies, venture capital funds, incubators, accelerators, academic institutions, and venture studios, to expand the Lab’s ecosystem and accelerate innovation pipelines.