CBK introduces mobile payments for government securities bids up to Sh250,000
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has introduced a mobile payment option that allows investors to settle successful government securities bids of up to Sh250,000 directly from their mobile phones.
The new facility is available through the DhowCSD mobile application and is intended to simplify the process of paying for Treasury bills and bonds, particularly for retail investors.
In a notice issued on Monday, August 17, 2026, CBK said investors can make the payments through the Transaction tab on the DhowCSD app.
The facility currently supports M-Pesa, with the central bank indicating that additional mobile payment platforms could be added in future.
“Pay for successful Government Securities bids conveniently from your mobile phone for amounts up to Sh 250,000,” CBK stated.
The move provides investors with an alternative to conventional banking channels when settling successful bids, allowing them to complete transactions remotely using their mobile devices. The DhowCSD application is available through major mobile application stores and provides access to various government securities services.
The introduction of the mobile payment option comes amid sustained demand for government securities, as investors continue to view Treasury bills and bonds as an investment avenue.
On August 12, CBK reported receiving bids worth approximately Sh460.9 billion for three reopened Treasury bonds against an offer of Sh150 billion.
The bonds—IFB1/2019/016, IFB1/2021/018 and IFB1/2021/021—had remaining maturities of 9.3 years, 12.7 years and 16.2 years, respectively.
CBK accepted bids worth about Sh312 billion, underscoring the strong appetite for government debt instruments.
The latest payment facility is expected to further ease access to the government securities market by making the settlement process faster and more convenient for smaller investors.
Reporting originally appeared via Bizna Kenya. Read the full source for additional context.