Safaricom announces Sh80bn dividend after profit jump

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 7 – Safaricom will pay shareholders a Sh80.13 billion dividend for the 2025/26 financial year after reporting strong growth in profit.

The telco announced a dividend payout of Sh2 per share, representing a 66.7 percent increase compared to the previous financial year.

The payout includes an interim dividend of 85 cents and a final dividend of Sh1.15 per share.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the dividend marks a major milestone for the company.

“This is a major milestone for Safaricom. Our dividend payout has risen above the levels recorded before COVID and prior to our Ethiopia investment,” he said.

Ndegwa noted that the company achieved the payout despite investing more than $1.2 billion in Ethiopia without increasing debt levels.

The announcement follows Safaricom’s release of full-year results showing a 67.3 percent rise in net profit to Sh100 billion, driven by growth in M-Pesa, mobile data and its Ethiopia operations.

Service revenue grew 10 percent to Sh400 billion, supported by increased use of mobile money and internet services.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose 15.3 percent to Sh182 billion, while total earnings increased 24.7 percent to Sh119 billion.