Safaricom Lifts Interim Dividend as Profits and Confidence Grow

Business, Kenya

Safaricom has declared an interim dividend of Sh0.85 per ordinary share, rewarding shareholders after a strong first half of its financial year and underlining the company’s renewed momentum.

The dividend, approved by the board on 4 February, will be paid to shareholders on the company’s register at the close of business on 25 February. Payments are expected on or around 31 March.

In a statement, the company said the decision reflected both performance and confidence.

“The Board of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce the approval of an interim dividend of Sh0.85 per ordinary share for the year ending March 31, 2026,” it said.

The announcement was issued with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority, which regulates listed firms under Kenya’s disclosure rules. It was signed by the company secretary, Linda Wambani, who said the process followed standard board procedures and statutory requirements.

For investors, the size of the payout stood out. The interim dividend represents a 54.5 per cent increase from the same period last year, a jump that mirrors a sharp improvement in earnings.

Safaricom’s half-year results, released in November for the six months to 30 September 2025, showed solid growth across its core businesses. Service revenue rose 11.1 per cent to Sh200 billion, driven largely by mobile money and data. Net income climbed 52.1 per cent, helped by higher customer usage and tighter control of costs.

The market welcomed the news. Safaricom shares rose above the Sh30 mark on Wednesday, closing at Sh30.60, up two per cent on the day. The stock has gained nearly eight per cent since the start of the year, lifting it into the upper half of performers on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Analysts say the dividend and the share price response point to a company that has steadied after a difficult period and is once again delivering for shareholders. Much will now hinge on whether Safaricom can sustain growth in mobile money and data while navigating a competitive telecoms market and a cautious consumer base.