Renaissance Capital, an emerging and frontier markets investment bank, has launched the fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC) desk in Kenya.

The Kenya FICC desk’s product offering will range from sovereign and corporate exchange-traded bonds (both primary and secondary) to eurobonds, Kenya treasury bills and East Africa bonds and bills.

The products will be available for local clients such as banks, funds, institutional investors, parastatals and East African pension funds, as well as global emerging market funds and other clients.

Roman Sarychev, Global Head of Trading, Renaissance Capital, said: “The launch of the FICC desk in Kenya is a major breakthrough. Market activity in the FICC space continues to improve with most investors increasing their allocations in this segment. With Renaissance Capital’s existing strong FICC franchise, the new desk in Kenya will be able to build on our successful track record and expand our product offering both locally and globally. Also, we expect to capitalise on our dominance in the investment banking and equities market in Kenya over the past five years.”

Renaissance Capital has also announced  the appointment of Winnie Cherotich Towett as Vice President, FICC Trader, based in Nairobi.

On a local level, she will report to Stanley Kariuki, CEO and Head of Equities, and globally to Vitaly Ryabokon, FICC Trader in London.

Towett brings more than 10 years’ experience in the market to her new role. Prior to joining Renaissance Capital, she worked as a fixed income trader in Faida Investment Bank (2011-2019) and African Alliance Kenya Securities (2007-2011). Winnie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in international business administration from United States International University-Africa.

Stanley Kariuki, CEO, Head of Equities, Renaissance Capital Kenya, said: “We are happy to welcome Winnie to our team. She brings a wealth of experience and already set up a fixed income desk with African Alliance Kenya Securities. We believe that a local FICC desk will be a great addition to our global FICC product offering. Also, it will allow Renaissance Capital Kenya to diversify its revenue streams.”