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Timeline

History

Zimele Asset Management is a company wholly owned by Kenyans and licensed and regulated as a fund manager by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).

The company commenced operations in August 1998 with the goal of pooling retail funds for investment in the financial markets. The name Zimele means “stand on your own feet” in Zulu and is based on the Zimele Trust Fund, a black economic empowerment fund that was founded by the late Steve Biko who was the leader of South Africa’s Black Consciousness Movement during the apartheid era.

Investment opportunities in the financial markets were restricted to high-networth individuals and institutions given the high minimum entry requirements. Zimele’s mission was to democratize pooled investments by providing individuals with access to the financial markets at affordable entry levels but with returns similar to those enjoyed by preferential investors at the time.

The vehicle for pooling was the Zimele Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited which was the fund where individuals would join and invest collectively in the financial markets. Right from the beginning, the fund adopted the globally-approved governance structure of having a trustee, fund manager, and custodian as separate service providers.

Subsequently, the Zimele Equity Portfolio was launched in August 1998 and was the first of its kind to offer individuals access to local listed equity investments at an entry-level of ksh.5,000. It was followed by the Zimele Money Market Portfolio in early 2000 and the Zimele offshore Portfolio in late 2001. 

The company was granted a fund manager’s license by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in 2005 which led to the transition of the Zimele Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited into the Zimele Unit Trust Scheme in early 2007. This was quickly followed by the approval from the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) in March 2007 to operate the Zimele Personal Pension Scheme on a similar philosophy of taking retirement savings to the mass market. 

We acknowledge and appreciate our founders’ pioneering spirit. They cleared the ground and charted a path that has proven to be conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. It is on this path that the journey continues to make savings, investing, and retirement planning affordable and accessible to all aspiring Kenyans.

Our Brand

The word Zimele means “Stand on your own feet”. Our mission since inception has been to provide innovative and practical investment solutions that people can use to achieve their goals. We have therefore designed a suite of products to help people meet their needs and goals at different stages of their life.

Our logo features cattle transitioning to the name Zimele. Livestock was one of the traditional stores of wealth in our culture. This inspiration pays homage to our African heritage. The transition from cattle to Zimele symbolizes the modernization of wealth creation in our society; From livestock to the financial markets.

Our Vision

To be the most preferred provider of Investment Services in Kenya and the region.

Tagline

Actualizing Aspirations Since 1998

Our Mission

To provide practical and innovative investment services that will enable our clients to achieve their financial goals.

Board of directors

Dr. David Ndii

Chairman

George Ooko

Non-Executive Director

Njeri Kariuki

Njeri Kariuki, SC

Non-Executive Director

Peter Waa

Non-Executive Director

Dr. Thomas Kiyai

Independent Director

Caroline Karanja

Independent Director

Our Partners​

What our Customers Say on Google
"Been with them over 15 years and going strong. Excellent service, value. No regrets whatsoever."
Margaret Adego
"Their customer service is fast and efficient. And that qualifies it as a good asset management."
Rosemary Ngure
"Excellent automation of processes, very efficient and easy for clients. Good job."
Wambui Susan
"No better firm for your investments. Been with them many years and counting."
Swanji G

As Seen On

... and more!

Dr. David Ndii - Chairman

Dr. David Ndii is a Rhodes scholar and Eisenhower fellow. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Nairobi; and a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in Economics from Oxford University. He has vast experience in economic research, policy analysis and corporate strategy having worked with governments, think tanks and corporations, both regionally and internationally.

He has previously held the position of chief economist at Equity Bank Group and was a founder member of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA Kenya) and Africa Economics. Dr. Ndii also served as a public finance expert to the Kenya Constitutional Review Committee of Experts (COE). He was an Economic advisor to the government of Rwanda and advised the NARC administration on the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) which is widely credited with the post-2003 economic recovery in Kenya. He has also consulted for international development institutions and advised leading corporations in East Africa on strategy.

Dr. Ndii is currently serving as the chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA).

George Ooko

George Ooko holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business Administration degrees from the University of Nairobi. He has vast experience in both the private sector and the public sector.

He has previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Coffee Development Fund; Secretary of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA); and director of retail banking at the banks formerly known as Barclays Bank (now Absa Bank) and NIC Bank (now NCBA Bank). He is the former Chairman of the Kenyatta National Hospital Board.

Njeri Kariuki, SC

Njeri Kariuki is a Senior Counsel, Chartered Arbitrator, and Accredited Mediator who practises from Nairobi with her primary profession being grounded in the Law, being an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Njeri:

  • was conferred the rank of Senior Counsel in December 2025
  • is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • has been cited in Chambers Global since 2014 to date as a Leading Individual
  • is a Government of Kenya Nominee to the Panel of Arbitrators at ICSID
  • in May 2018, was appointed to the ICC International Court of Arbitration as the Member representing Kenya
  • has recently been cited as one of the top 30 African arbitrators

Njeri’s arbitration, litigation, certified secretary, conveyancing and mediation practice covers a range of domestic and international commercial matters and on account of delving into the realm of adjudication, became a DRBF Member, and thoroughly enjoyed a 3-year stint as Chair of a Dispute Adjudication Board set-up to midwife an international geothermal project to fruition. Njeri is also a Tutor & Trainer with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and conducts courses and assessments in Kenya and anywhere else her services may be required.

Peter Waa

Peter is a businessman and consultant with extensive experience in the IT industry. He is the managing director of Paysure Limited, an online payments solutions provider.

Dr. Thomas Kiyai

Dr. Thomas Kiyai is an independent director and chairs the audit committee. He is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of extensive experience in auditing, financial management, accountancy and strategic management.

He has held various leadership positions at esteemed institutions such as director of finance at KCB Bank Kenya and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Consolidated Bank of Kenya.

He is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and a graduate of Oxford Executive Leadership Program, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning.

He holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Finance at Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Caroline Karanja

Caroline Karanja is an Independent Director and Chairs the Risk Committee. She has over 20 years of strategic and operations experience.

With a diverse career spanning NGOs, entrepreneurial ventures, and commercial trade, Caroline brings on board extensive expertise including Financial Law, Change Leadership, Corporate Governance, and Sustainability.

Caroline has held key roles in various organizations, including the Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK) and the Institute of Certified Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) where she is a ICPAK council committee member.

Caroline is a member of ICPAK, ICPSK, WOBN, AWAK, CCG, and Toastmasters International.