The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has rolled out a fresh upgrade to its DhowCSD platform, enabling investors to settle their successful bids for government securities directly via M-Pesa. Announced on Friday, 21 November, the feature allows payments of up to KSh250,000 through the mobile service, accessible under the “Transactions” tab on both the DhowCSD app and web portal.
For now, M-Pesa is the sole mobile payment option, though CBK notes that more alternatives will follow. The enhancement forms part of the wider DhowCSD system launched in 2023, a digital environment created to help both local and international retail investors buy and manage Treasury Bills and Bonds with ease.
Through DhowCSD, investors can take part in auctions, check results, review payment instructions, monitor upcoming corporate actions and view their statements. The platform also supports secondary market dealings and pledging instructions.
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To use these services, one must first register on DhowCSD, providing a valid email, a mobile number linked to a Kenyan operator, KRA PIN, settlement bank details and identification documents. Registration must be finalised within seven days or the incomplete profile is erased.
Once approved, typically within two to three days, users may browse available Treasury Bills and Bonds and place competitive or non-competitive bids. With the new mobile payment feature, successful bidders can now settle amounts up to KSh250,000 directly through M-Pesa, streamlining the settlement process.
The CBK offers several categories of Treasury bonds, including fixed-coupon bonds with steady semi-annual returns, tax-free infrastructure bonds that finance public projects and long-term savings development bonds designed to encourage personal investme
