Britam launches global investment funds amid rising competition from NCBA, Absa and MansaX

Britam Asset Managers has launched two Special Funds offering Kenyan investors exposure to global equities and a wider mix of local and international investments as the country’s collective investment scheme (CIS) market approaches KSh1 trillion in assets.

The Britam Enhanced Global Equities Special Fund and Britam Multi Asset Special Fund received approval from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in August 2026, according to the company. Britam announced the products on October 8, expanding its investment offering beyond conventional local-market exposure.

The Enhanced Global Equities Special Fund targets companies operating in sectors including technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare and life sciences, energy, and the digital economy. The strategy is designed to give investors exposure to international businesses and industries, although the company’s announcement does not specify the fund’s allocation limits across individual sectors.

The Multi Asset Special Fund combines local and international asset classes, including equities, fixed income and commodities, within a single portfolio. Such an approach can spread investments across different markets and asset types, although diversification does not eliminate the risk of losses.

Tom Gitogo, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Britam, said the funds are intended to give African investors an opportunity to own stakes in companies that contribute to the global economy.

Barack Obatsa, Chief Executive Officer of Britam Asset Managers, said the products extend the firm’s investment offering to global markets and a broader range of asset classes.

Kenya’s investment market approaches KSh1 trillion

The launch comes as Kenya’s collective investment scheme industry expands. Data cited in Britam’s announcement puts total CIS assets at KSh948.7 billion in June 2026, representing a 59.1% increase from a year earlier.

The size of the market provides context for the introduction of investment products targeting different investor objectives, including access to international companies and portfolios that combine several asset classes. Growth in total assets, however, does not establish how many investors are participating or how much of the increase reflects new contributions, investment performance or changes in asset values.

Foreign-currency investment funds have also gained ground within the sector. Earlier CMA figures put assets in foreign-currency funds at KSh110.5 billion in June 2026, up from KSh95.9 billion in March. Special Funds also recorded quarterly growth during the second quarter, adding to the context for new products targeting investors seeking alternatives to conventional local funds.

Britam says its asset-management business oversees more than KSh300 billion in assets and manages over KSh55 billion in fixed-income assets as of July 2026. The company also describes itself as a leading manager in the fixed-income category. These figures underline the scale of the business behind the new products, although the category-leadership claim depends on the comparison and reporting basis used.

Britam is part of Britam Holdings Plc, a financial services group listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange with operations across several African markets. Its existing presence in insurance, retirement planning and investment management gives the group an established distribution and client base from which to expand its fund range.

NCBA, Absa and MansaX already compete for global investment money

Britam enters a market where other Kenyan investment firms have already introduced products offering access to international securities and specialised investment strategies.

NCBA Investment Bank launched global equity and global fixed-income Special Funds in 2025. The products provide exposure to offshore markets through portfolios built around exchange-traded funds, with investments spanning regions including the United States, Europe, Asia and emerging markets.

Absa has also received regulatory approval for global multi-asset Special Funds, placing it in a comparable segment of the market. The approval status of those products should be distinguished from confirmation that they are available for investment.

MansaX has established a substantial position in Kenya’s Special Funds category through a range of products, including funds with different currency and investment strategies. Ndovu Wealth’s Kibaba Multi-Asset Special Fund provides another point of comparison for investors considering portfolios that combine asset classes and offer different currency options.

These products are not identical, and their minimum investments, fees, redemption conditions, risk profiles and investment mandates can differ. The relevant comparison for investors is therefore not simply which provider offers global exposure, but how each fund delivers that exposure and what it costs to hold.

The competitive landscape also includes lower-entry investment products distributed through mobile and digital platforms. Money market funds and other accessible savings products serve different needs from global-equity or multi-asset Special Funds, but they compete for a share of household savings and investment capital. Their presence shows how investors can choose among products with different liquidity, risk and return characteristics.

Global equities offer access to international companies, with currency and market risks

The Enhanced Global Equities Special Fund gives investors a route to international equity markets without requiring them to select and manage individual foreign shares themselves. Its stated focus includes technology and artificial intelligence, healthcare, energy and the digital economy, sectors that contain companies with different growth prospects, valuations and exposure to economic conditions.

The broader appeal of global investing is that returns need not depend entirely on the performance of Kenya’s domestic economy or local listed companies. Investors can gain exposure to businesses operating in multiple markets and industries, but they also take on risks associated with foreign stock markets, company valuations, sector concentration and exchange-rate movements.

Where a fund invests in foreign-currency assets, the currency in which an investor contributes or receives returns can affect the final outcome in Kenyan shillings. A rise in the value of overseas holdings does not automatically translate into an equivalent shilling return if exchange rates move in the opposite direction. Investors need to understand the fund’s denomination, currency exposure and any measures used to manage foreign-exchange risk.

The Multi Asset Special Fund approaches diversification through exposure to more than one asset class. Equities, fixed-income instruments and commodities can respond differently to changes in interest rates, inflation, economic growth and investor sentiment. Their performance can still move in the same direction under certain market conditions, meaning a multi-asset label alone does not establish how much risk a portfolio carries.

Investors should also review whether the fund can use leverage, or borrow to increase its exposure to investments. If permitted, leverage can magnify gains and losses and introduce borrowing costs. The fund’s official documentation is the appropriate source for confirming any leverage limits, permitted instruments and related risk controls.

Investors need to compare fees, minimums and withdrawal terms

The launch announcement does not provide a complete schedule of the two funds’ investment conditions. Prospective investors should obtain the relevant offering documents before committing money and confirm the minimum initial contribution, subsequent top-up requirements, management and other fees, investment benchmark, risk classification and redemption rules.

The holding period is particularly important for anyone who may need access to their money at short notice. A product designed for a multi-year investment horizon may not suit an investor who needs immediate liquidity, particularly if withdrawals are restricted or subject to a lock-in period.

Investors should also distinguish the fund’s stated objectives from any expectation of returns. Regulatory approval allows a product to operate within its approved framework; it does not guarantee performance or protect investors against market losses.

The two funds extend the range of investment choices available through Britam, giving investors access to global equities or a portfolio spanning local and international asset classes. Their suitability will depend on each investor’s objectives, investment horizon, ability to tolerate losses and understanding of the specific terms governing the product.

Real ESG impact doesn’t happen in panels alone, it happens in the rooms where financiers, operators, and policymakers actually align. Our GreenShift Forum 2026 cuts the noise, bringing together the people rewiring Africa’s sustainability and energy frameworks for one focused day in Nairobi. Secure your seat.

Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.

Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to info@techtrendsmedia.co.ke