The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has this month opened its first African office, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Based in the Westlands district of Nairobi the CISI office will be led by Mr Kimacia Gitau ACSI. Kimacia will be working alongside Alice Jurjens who has been working on a part-time basis with the CISI in Kenya for the last 18 months.
The CISI is the 45,000 strong global professional body with members in 104 countries, which represents those working in or looking to progress their career in wealth management, capital markets and financial planning.
The Institute has had an active presence in Kenya since the signing of an MOU with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in 2014. Since then CISI’s exams have formed an integral part of the CMA’s Securities Industry Certification Programme.
In 2015 CMA staff were the first group in Kenya to pass the CISI International Introduction to Securities and Investment (Kenya) exam, shortly followed by the Regulations and Market Practice (Kenya) exam. In January this year CISI held its first Awards Ceremony to celebrate the success of the CMA’s Certification Programme.
To date over 2,500 CISI exams have been taken in Kenya, with pass rates for the first module significantly above the global average.
CISI has been working in Africa since 2012 offering exams and membership across the continent, with regulatory approval for its exams in 10 countries.
Helena Wilson, Chartered MCSI, Assistant Director CISI Global Business Development said: “We are delighted to have opened our office in Kenya, which has been possible owing to the excellent encouragement and support from the CMA and others. Their vision, outlined in the Kenya Capital Market Master Plan – “Vision 2030”, clearly demonstrates the CMA’s desire to meet international standards and build capacity to grow and retain talent.
“The CISI is proud to partner with the CMA and to help establish the Kenyan capital markets as a centre of excellence as well as a gateway for regional and international capital flows.”
Kimacia Gitau ACSI said: “I am excited to be working with the CISI, with the aim of actively promoting the benefits of holding CISI exams, building a membership network and community in Kenya and, more widely, in the East African community. We are currently working with the CMA on a continuing professional development (CPD) programme to support our qualified professionals.”
Those requiring further information on CISI’s work in East Africa should contact Kimacia Gitau at Kimacia.gitau@cisi.org or +254 716 777 999.