Nairobi, Kenya — The era of tedious paperwork, physical forms, and long queues at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is officially over. With the nationwide launch of the **DhowCSD** mobile app and portal, investing in high-yielding government Treasury Bills and Bonds is now as simple as sending an M-Pesa transaction.
As inflation fluctuates, savvy Kenyan investors are shifting their capital toward government debt. With 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day Treasury Bills offering yields as high as 15.5% to 16.5%, T-Bills are currently beating most traditional savings and bank accounts.
CBK T-Bill Summary
- Minimum Investment: 50,000 KES for T-Bills, 50,000 KES for Treasury Bonds.
- Safety Level: Maximum (Backed by the full faith and credit of the Republic of Kenya).
- Available Tenures: 91 Days, 182 Days, and 364 Days.
What is DhowCSD?
DhowCSD is the Central Bank of Kenya's digital registry and bidding portal. It allows retail investors both in Kenya and the diaspora to open a CSD account, view upcoming auctions, place competitive or non-competitive bids, and receive payout interest directly in their bank accounts.
By removing brokers and middlemen, DhowCSD makes it possible for ordinary citizens to bypass commercial banks and buy treasury debt directly from the state.
How to Register on DhowCSD
Getting started takes less than 10 minutes. You can either download the DhowCSD app from the Google Play Store / Apple App Store, or visit the CBK DhowCSD web portal.
Click on 'Register' and enter your official government details: full name, national ID or Passport number, KRA PIN, and a valid email address. You will also need to select your commercial bank and branch—this is where CBK will send your interest earnings and principal payouts.
"Democratizing access to government securities is a cornerstone of domestic resource mobilization. DhowCSD has opened the gates for retail savers to earn institutional yields."
— Central Bank of Kenya Monetary Policy Report
Understanding the Bidding Options
When placing a bid for an upcoming T-Bill auction, DhowCSD will present you with two options: 'Competitive Bids' and 'Non-Competitive Bids'.
For 99% of retail investors, selecting **Non-Competitive Bids** is the best choice. This means you agree to accept the average interest rate decided during the weekly institutional auction, guaranteeing that your bid will be accepted in full.
How to Fund Your Account
Once your bid is successful, DhowCSD will send you an SMS and email notification showing the exact amount due. You must pay CBK by 2:00 PM on the following Monday.
Payments are completed via Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from your commercial bank. Simply log in to your mobile banking app, go to transfer, select RTGS, and paste the CBK payment details provided in your DhowCSD dashboard.