Kenya has emerged as one of the world’s most investment-curious nations, ranking third globally in a new study that examined online searches related to personal finance and investment.
According to the report, Kenya records 17,288 monthly investment-related searches per one million people, placing it ahead of larger and more established financial markets such as Canada, the UAE, and South Africa.
While Australia leads the world with over 29,000 investment searches per million and Singapore follows with around 22,500, Kenya’s performance is particularly notable due to the overwhelming interest in forex trading. An astonishing 97% of Kenya’s investment-related searches are tied to forex, totaling 16,757 searches per million—the highest forex-specific interest globally.
Forex Craze Fuels Kenya’s Surge in Investment Interest
The data, compiled by global brokerage comparison platform BrokerChooser, used normalized Google search volumes to assess financial curiosity across multiple English-speaking nations. Five key investment themes were evaluated: Forex, Cryptocurrency, Stocks, General Investing, and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds).
Kenya’s dominance in forex-related searches far outpaces other countries, including the UAE, which recorded roughly one-third of Kenya’s numbers in that category. Search phrases like “how to trade forex” and “best forex platforms” dominate online queries, indicating a booming appetite for currency trading among Kenyans.
Youth-Driven Financial Awareness on the Rise
With approximately 75% of Kenya’s population under the age of 35, the study points to a generational shift toward financial literacy and long-term wealth planning. Young people are increasingly turning to online platforms and mobile apps to access global markets, diversify income, and plan for the future.
The global study also found that across all countries surveyed, the proportion of individuals under 40 who invest monthly has more than tripled in recent years—driven by rising inflation, employment uncertainty, and increased digital access to financial tools.
Digital Curiosity Meets Economic Realities
Kenya’s economic challenges, including unemployment and currency fluctuations, may be fueling this surge in online investment research. Analysts say that curiosity often precedes market engagement, and if current trends continue, Kenya could become a regional hub for individual retail investing—especially in forex and emerging crypto markets.
Though Kenya ranked lower in crypto-specific searches compared to countries like Australia and Singapore, industry watchers believe growing access to digital wallets and increased awareness could soon shift that balance.