Safaricom Boosts Interim Dividend on Strong Revenue and Profit Growth
Safaricom PLC has announced a higher interim dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, signaling confidence in its earnings momentum and cash position.
The telecoms giant will pay an interim dividend of KSh 0.85 per ordinary share, up from KSh 0.55 paid during the same period last year. The decision was approved by the company’s board at a meeting held on February 4, 2026.
According to a notice released on February 5, shareholders whose names appear on Safaricom’s register at the close of business on February 25, 2026, will qualify for the payout. The dividend is expected to be paid on or about March 31, 2026.
Safaricom said the announcement was issued in line with the Capital Markets Act and applicable regulations. The notice was signed by Company Secretary Linda Wambani and approved for publication by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which noted that it does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the information. The company remains listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
The increased payout follows a strong half-year performance by Kenya’s largest listed company. In results published in November 2025 for the six months ended September 30, Safaricom reported broad-based growth across its core business segments.
Service revenue rose 11.1 per cent to KSh 200 billion, supported by higher demand for data and continued expansion of mobile money services. Net profit for the period jumped 52.1 per cent year on year, aided by improved cost efficiency and increased customer activity.
M-Pesa remained a key contributor, with transaction values climbing as digital payments continued to gain traction among consumers and businesses.
The interim dividend represents a 54.5 per cent increase year on year and is consistent with Safaricom’s dividend policy, which seeks to reward shareholders while preserving capital for future growth.
In recent years, the company declared interim dividends of KSh 0.55 in 2025 and 2024, and KSh 0.58 in 2023.
With about 40 billion shares outstanding, the interim dividend is expected to result in a distribution of more than KSh 34 billion to shareholders.
The announcement comes at a time when the government is considering the sale of part of its stake in Safaricom to Vodacom, a proposal that is currently under review by Parliament.