Safaricom and GulfCap Investment Bank launched the Ziidi Shari’ah Money Market Fund in Nairobi on October 6, 2026, expanding the investment products accessible through M-PESA. Customers can start with KES 100, add as little as KES 10 and access a fund structured around Islamic finance principles. The launch broadens digital investing options for customers seeking an alternative to conventional interest-bearing money market products, without requiring investors to follow a particular religion.
Key Overview
- Starting investment: KES 100, with subsequent top-ups from KES 10.
- Access: My OneApp or the M-PESA USSD code *334#.
- Transactions: Free fund deposits and withdrawals to an M-PESA wallet, subject to applicable transaction limits.
- Investment approach: Shari’ah-compliant short-term instruments, overseen by a dedicated Shari’ah Supervisory Board.
- Regulation: The Capital Markets Authority approved registration in February 2025; the public launch followed in October 2026.
How Ziidi Shari’ah Works
The official launch announcement confirms that customers can invest through My OneApp or by dialling *334#. After the KES 100 initial investment, smaller recurring contributions of KES 10 are permitted, helping customers build an investment balance gradually.
Investors can monitor daily profit allocations through the service and transfer money back to their M-PESA wallets without a withdrawal charge. An optional fund-locking feature is designed to discourage impulsive withdrawals. It should not be confused with a guarantee of investment returns.
Although the fund does not impose a stated maximum investment balance, M-PESA transaction limits still apply: KES 250,000 per transaction and KES 500,000 per day, according to the launch terms.
What Makes It Shari’ah-Compliant?
Unlike conventional money market funds that typically earn interest from instruments such as Treasury bills and bank deposits, Ziidi Shari’ah is structured to avoid riba, or interest, and investments in prohibited business activities. Its investment mandate emphasises short-term, liquid arrangements with Shari’ah-compliant financial institutions.
The regulatory approval notice establishes that the fund is a standalone product, separate from Safaricom’s conventional Ziidi Money Market Fund. GulfCap provides investment management and its Shari’ah Supervisory Board oversees compliance with Islamic finance principles.
Shari’ah-compliant does not mean risk-free. Investment performance depends on the fund’s underlying assets, counterparties, costs and liquidity. Investors should examine its disclosure documents and prevailing profit rate rather than assume a fixed or guaranteed return.
Context is everything. Stay ahead of shifting trends with today’s market updates, and uncover emerging opportunities using the Serrari Group Market Index and Marketplace. Then, take control of your own financial future by exploring our Money & Life Reset Transformation Blueprint ™ to build stronger habits, create better systems, and design a path toward lasting wealth.
Why the Launch Matters for Kenya’s Investors
The new product makes a specialised form of investing available through familiar mobile-money channels, combining a low entry threshold with day-to-day convenience. It may appeal to Muslim customers seeking faith-aligned investments as well as others interested in the fund’s ethical screening criteria.
Importantly, the October 2026 rollout followed the approval granted in February 2025. This makes the launch a commercial-access milestone, not a new regulatory authorisation. The product also adds another option alongside the previously launched conventional Ziidi fund, whose structure and investment approach are distinct.
What Customers Should Check Before Investing
Before subscribing, customers should confirm the current profit rate, fees borne by the fund, withdrawal rules when funds are locked, and the latest product disclosures. Free transfers to an M-PESA wallet do not necessarily mean that every underlying fund expense is zero.
The launch reflects Kenya’s growing range of mobile-first investment services, with affordability and choice at its centre. Ultimately, investor outcomes will depend on the fund’s performance and whether its terms fit individual liquidity needs and investment objectives.
Sources: GulfCap Investment Bank / Capital Markets Authority Kenya / Safaricom / TechAfrica News / People Daily
Your financial future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.
The real question is: when do you begin?
Move beyond simply staying informed.
Navigate the markets with clarity—track trends through the Serrari Group Market Index, uncover opportunities in the Serrari Marketplace, and build practical knowledge with our Curated Wealth Builder Platform.
Stay connected to what truly matters.
Get daily insights on macro trends and financial movements across Kenya, Africa, and global markets—delivered through the Serrari Newsletter.
Growth opens doors.
Advance your career through professional programs including ACCA, HESI A2, ATI TEAS 7 , HESI EXIT , NCLEX – RN and NCLEX – PN, Financial Literacy!🌟—designed to move you forward with confidence.
See where money is flowing—clearly and in real time.
Track Money Market Funds, Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds, Green Bonds, and Fixed Deposits, alongside global and African indexes, key economic indicators, and the evolving Crypto and stablecoin landscape—all within Serrari’s Market Index.
