The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has surpassed the Sh4 trillion market capitalisation mark for the first time, driven by strong gains in Safaricom, banking stocks and other blue-chip counters.
The exchange closed on Monday, August 3, with a market value of Sh4.012 trillion, up Sh20.92 billion from the previous trading session, extending one of the strongest equity rallies in its history.
Since the beginning of 2026, the value of listed companies has risen by Sh1.07 trillion, representing a 36.3 per cent increase from the Sh2.94 trillion recorded at the close of 2025.
The milestone follows another record-breaking year in 2025, when the NSE added Sh1.01 trillion in investor wealth, making 2025 and 2026 the first consecutive years in which the bourse has generated more than Sh1 trillion in market value.
Having crossed the Sh3 trillion mark in November 2025, the exchange took less than nine months to add another trillion shillings, underscoring the sustained momentum in Kenya’s equities market. Since the end of 2024, the NSE has gained more than Sh2.08 trillion in market capitalisation.
Safaricom remains the largest contributor to the rally, with its market value rising to Sh1.46 trillion after adding Sh420.4 billion in shareholder wealth this year. The telecommunications giant now accounts for roughly 36.4 per cent of the NSE’s total market capitalisation.
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The banking sector has also played a significant role, with listed lenders collectively valued at Sh1.64 trillion, making banking the largest sector on the exchange ahead of telecommunications, which is worth Sh1.47 trillion. Together, the two sectors account for about 77 per cent of the NSE’s total market value.
Among individual companies, Equity Group remains the second most valuable listed firm at Sh327.37 billion, followed by KCB Group at Sh276.36 billion. East African Breweries Plc (EABL) has reclaimed fourth position with a market capitalisation of Sh221.22 billion, overtaking Co-operative Bank, which is valued at Sh204.47 billion.
While blue-chip stocks have contributed the largest share of wealth creation, several mid-cap counters have delivered the strongest returns this year. Car & General has surged 206.9 per cent, followed by Britam Holdings at 91.2 per cent, Family Bank at 74.7 per cent, while Africa Mega Agricorp, Kapchorua Tea, I&M Holdings and Kenya Airways have each gained more than 55 per cent.
The record valuation also reflects broader market strength, with more than Sh1.07 trillion added in market value within seven months. All major NSE equity indices have posted gains of more than 27 per cent this year, supported by improving investor sentiment ahead of the peak corporate earnings season.
