NSE Plans Headquarters Move to GTC Office Tower

The Nairobi Securities Exchange plans to relocate its headquarters to the 17th floor of the GTC Office Tower in Westlands. The move will place the bourse in the same complex as JP Morgan, the JW Marriott hotel and other international firms.

According to an exclusive report by The Kenyan Wall Street, the exchange is taking approximately 11,863 square feet on that floor. The decision comes as the NSE continues to evaluate options for its current six-storey building, known as The Exchange, at 55 Westlands Road.

The GTC Office Tower forms part of the larger Global Trade Centre development along Waiyaki Way. The mixed-use complex includes premium Grade A offices, a hotel and retail space. It has become one of Nairobi’s most prominent commercial addresses since opening.

NSE chief executive Frank Mwiti had earlier indicated that the exchange would rebrand and move to a more suitable location aligned with its next growth phase. The bourse commissioned a review of options that included selling, refurbishing or leasing out the existing headquarters. That process required board approvals and remained ongoing at the time.

The current building was acquired when the NSE shifted from rented space in the city centre more than a decade ago. It also houses the Kenya Association of Stockbrokers and other related offices. Earlier valuations showed the property’s fair value had declined from the figure recorded at acquisition.

Westlands has absorbed a steady flow of corporate relocations in recent years as firms seek modern offices with better infrastructure and amenities. The GTC tower offers high-speed lifts, advanced security, backup power and professional management that meet international standards expected by larger tenants.

The exchange operates a fully electronic platform. Physical space is no longer needed for open-outcry trading. Yet a visible headquarters continues to serve administrative, listing and stakeholder functions. Moving into a landmark tower may support the institution’s positioning as a regional financial hub.

Details on the exact timeline for the shift and the future of the Westlands Road property have not been released. The NSE has previously invited property agencies to bid for a mandate to market and sell the existing headquarters. No final decision on disposal has been announced.

The relocation reflects broader patterns in Nairobi’s commercial real estate market. Newer towers in Westlands and Upper Hill have attracted banks, professional services firms and international organisations seeking consolidated, high-quality space. Older buildings face pressure to adapt or find new uses.

For the NSE the move marks another chapter in a history of address changes that began in the city centre and later shifted to Westlands. Occupying space in the GTC complex places the exchange alongside some of the most recognised names already operating from the site.