Offshore & Dollar Investments
Offshore investing is bigger than “a dollar fund.” Start with the job: hold USD, earn income, diversify globally, or seek long-term growth.
What are you trying to achieve?
Use the category first. Then compare the fund, currency, minimum, risk, fees, lock-in and source date.
USD and foreign-currency income funds
| Fund / type | Latest published figure | As at | Minimum | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIC Dollar Fund USD income / low risk | 5.13% effective annual rate | Aug 2026 | USD 1,000 | CIC ↗ |
| NCBA Dollar Fixed Income Fund USD fixed income | 3.38% published daily-income figure | 18 Aug 2026 | USD 100 | NCBA ↗ |
| Sanlam USD Fixed Income Fund USD fixed income | 5.01% effective annual yield on public page | 31 Aug 2025 | USD 2,500 | Sanlam ↗ |
| Other CMA-regulated USD funds MMF / fixed income / special funds | See provider factsheet | Varies | Varies | CMA register ↗ |
Global equity, balanced and multi-asset funds
CIC Global Balanced Special Fund
Global mix of equities, fixed income, money-market instruments and eligible ETFs. Designed for capital appreciation and diversification.
View provider →Global equityNCBA / Arvocap / XENO global equity structures
CMA's register includes NCBA Global Special Equity, Arvocap Global Equity Special Fund and XENO International Equity Special Fund.
Check CMA register →Multi-assetUSD multi-asset special funds
Examples on the CMA register include Britam, Cinemark, Kibaba, Investcent and Capital A multi-asset structures.
See regulated options →ThematicTechnology, commodities and other offshore themes
CMA lists VCG offshore special funds spanning technology, commodities, fixed income, diversified funds of funds, oil, agriculture and multi-asset strategies.
Check regulated universe →Multi-currencyUSD, EUR and GBP structures
The regulated universe now includes multi-currency special funds in USD, EUR and GBP as well as dollar money-market and fixed-income products.
Explore currencies →AlternativesSpecial funds with offshore exposure
Some Kenya-domiciled special funds invest across private debt, private equity, offshore assets and other alternatives.
Compare special funds →Before you move money offshore
What currency do you actually need?
A USD fund is useful for USD goals, but currency gains and losses matter when you eventually convert back to shillings.
How quickly can you withdraw?
Check dealing frequency, settlement period, lock-ins and whether redemptions are paid in foreign currency or converted.
Income fund or growth fund?
A USD income fund and a global equity fund can have completely different volatility even though both are “offshore.”
Count FX spreads and management fees
Conversion spreads, custody, management and exit costs can materially change the outcome.
Verify the exact scheme and sub-fund
Check the provider and the specific fund on the CMA register before sending money.
Understand withholding and tax treatment
Tax depends on the product, income type and your circumstances. Verify current treatment before acting.
Start with the goal, not the currency.
If your goal is short-term capital preservation, compare USD income funds. If it is long-term global growth, compare global equity and diversified multi-asset options instead.