Absa Next adds investments, Equity Fund up 15.95% YTD
Absa Bank Kenya has added investment products to Absa Next, its digital banking platform. Customers can now open, manage and grow unit trust portfolios directly in the app. The bank’s Equity Fund is currently returning up to 15.95% year-to-date (YTD), according to the bank.
The new feature gives users access to five funds: the Absa Balanced Fund, Absa Shilling Money Market Fund, Absa Dollar Money Market Fund, Absa Equity Fund and Absa Fixed Income Fund. Between them, the funds cover a range of risk profiles and investment horizons, so customers can match different holdings to different financial goals.
Moses Muthui, Director of Personal and Private Banking at Absa Bank Kenya, said the move is about lowering the barrier to wealth creation for everyday customers.
“At the heart of every investment is a dream, whether it’s securing a family’s future, funding education, growing a business, preparing for retirement, or building long-term financial security. We understand that our customers are looking for simple, accessible ways to turn those aspirations into reality,” Muthui said.
He described the launch as part of a longer-term plan for the platform. “When we launched Absa Next, we committed to continuously evolving the platform to meet our customers’ needs and expectations. Today’s launch is another important step in building a digital bank that enables customers to manage every aspect of their financial lives in one place,” he said.
“With investments starting from as little as KES 1,000, we are making wealth creation more accessible and inclusive.”
Absa Next launched in September 2026 as an app-first bank for saving, borrowing, paying and transacting without visiting a branch. Adding investments moves it closer to a full-service digital financial platform. It is aimed at digitally connected consumers and small business owners.
From payments to portfolios
Through the app, customers can open investment accounts digitally, link existing Absa Unit Trust holdings, and set up multiple portfolios tied to different goals. They can also top up their investments, download statements and track portfolio performance in real time.
The bank also offers qualifying real-time redemptions from the Absa Shilling Money Market Fund to an Absa Wallet. That gives users near-instant access to cash held in the money market fund. Liquidity is one of the main things retail investors look for when choosing between money market products and mobile savings options.
Absa says Next has signed up more than 300,000 users since launch. Customers mainly use it for bill payments, bill splitting, digital savings and instant day-one credit. The platform is open to both Absa and non-Absa customers, and the bank says it was built with extensive customer input and will keep changing based on feedback.
Kenya’s mobile-first investment market is getting crowded. Banks, fintechs and fund managers are all competing for retail savers through money market funds and app-based unit trusts. Absa is betting that combining investing with everyday banking in one app will win over users who would otherwise spread their money across several platforms.
“We remain excited about the opportunities ahead and will continue introducing innovative solutions that empower customers to achieve their financial goals,” Muthui said.
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
