Get a forex bureau licence from CBK
Central Bank of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Get CBK to approve your company name, register the company, then apply to CBK on Form CBK/FXD1 with a KSh 20,000 application fee. CBK answers within 90 days; if it agrees, you pay a KSh 65,000 licence fee and a US$30,000 deposit before it inspects your premises and issues the licence.
- Fee
- KSh 20,000Application fee, new licence (non-refundable)KSh 10,000Application fee, new outlet of an existing bureauKSh 65,000Licence fee (after CBK's letter of intent)
- How long
- CBK responds within 90 days of receiving your application, either asking for more information or issuing a letter of intent.
- Where
- Director, Bank Supervision Department, Central Bank of Kenya, Nairobi. Download Form CBK/FXD1 from centralbank.go.ke.
What you need
- Completed application form FORM/CBK/FXD1
- Certified copies of the certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association
- A feasibility study with three years of financial projections, structure and location
- Six months of bank statements for the shareholders and directors
- Fit and proper forms and credit reports (CRB) for shareholders, directors and principal officers
Steps
- Book a name with the Registrar of Companies and write to CBK to approve it.
- Register the company, then apply to the Director, Bank Supervision Department, CBK on Form CBK/FXD1 with the documents and the KSh 20,000 fee (banker's cheque).
- When CBK sends a letter of intent, pay the KSh 65,000 licence fee and transfer the US$30,000 deposit.
- Invite CBK to inspect your premises. If all is in order, CBK issues the licence.
Watch out
- Trading foreign exchange without a licence is a crime: up to KSh 500,000 fine, 3 years in jail, or both.
- The licence ends on 31 December each year. Apply to renew at least two months before it expires.
- If CBK declines, you can ask it to review the decision within 30 days.
Who can apply
- A company registered for the purpose, after CBK approves its name. The name must include "Forex Bureau", "Foreign Exchange Bureau" or "Bureau de Change".
- The bureau needs core capital of at least US$60,000 (or the shilling equivalent), kept at all times.
Official sources (2)
- The A-Z of licensing a forex bureau centralbank.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Central Bank of Kenya Act (Cap. 491), revised to 4 Nov 2025, ss.33A-33C centralbank.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026