The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced that investors seeking to purchase Infrastructure Bonds can use M-Pesa to make payments of up to KSh250,000.
During an Infrastructure Bond investor briefing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, CBK clarified that payments exceeding KSh250,000 would only be processed through commercial banks
“The M-Pesa payment limit is KSh250,000. We advise investors making payments above that amount to use commercial banks,” CBK explained.
CBK also stated that payments for infrastructure bonds are not accepted in foreign currencies, with all transactions required to be settled in Kenya shillings.
Infrastructure bonds are long-term debt securities issued by the government to raise capital specifically for financing large-scale public works and physical assets, such as roads, railways, energy grids, and water systems.
CBK Explains DhowCSD Investor Portal and Mobile App Use
CBK also outlined the process for opening an Investor Central Securities Depository (CSD) account, which is required for investing in government securities.
Prospective investors can register through the DhowCSD mobile application, available on Android and iOS devices, or via the DhowCSD investor portal on the Central Bank of Kenya website.
During registration, applicants are required to create an account using their email address and password before providing personal information, including their identification details, KRA PIN, contact information and bank account details.
Investors must also upload supporting documents, including a passport-size photograph, an identification document and a KRA PIN certificate.
Those eligible for tax exemptions are required to submit a tax exemption certificate.
After completing the application, applicants receive a verification code through their registered email address before their details are forwarded to their settlement bank for verification and approval.
Once approved, investors are notified by email and can access their Investor CSD account through the DhowCSD platform.
CBK advised prospective investors to complete the registration process within seven days, warning that any incomplete application will be automatically deleted by the system after that period.
The platform supports the registration of joint accounts and corporate accounts. However, applicants opening joint accounts must first create an individual investor profile, while corporate entities are required to register their authorized signatories before opening an account.
Three Infrastructure Bonds Re-Opened
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced the reopening of 16-year, 18-year and 21-year Infrastructure Treasury Bonds to raise KSh150 billion for infrastructure development projects.
The offer was opened on July 30 and will close on August 12, 2026, with the auction scheduled for the same day.
Successful bidders are expected to settle their payments on August 17, 2026.
According to the prospectus, the minimum investment for non-competitive bids is KSh50,000, with a maximum of KSh50 million, while competitive bids require a minimum investment of KSh2 million per Central Securities Depository (CSD) account for each tenor.
CBK said the bonds will be listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and can also be used as collateral to secure loans from regulated financial institutions.
The central bank added that secondary trading in the bonds will begin on August 17, 2026, while investors will be able to access their payment keys through the DhowCSD Investor Portal or mobile application after the auction.
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