Safaricom has announced an interim dividend of Ksh0.85 per ordinary share for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, marking a sharp increase from last year’s payout of Ksh0.55.

The company’s board approved the dividend at a meeting held on February 4, 2026. Shareholders whose names appear on the company’s register at the close of business on February 25, 2026, will qualify for the payout, which Safaricom expects to pay on or about March 31, 2026.

“The Board of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce that at its meeting held on 4th February 2026, it was resolved to approve the payment of an interim dividend of Kshs. 0.85 per ordinary share for the year ending 31st March 2026,” the announcement dated February 5, 2026, read.

“The interim dividend will be payable to shareholders on the Register of Members as at the close of business on 25th February 2026 and will be paid on or about 31st March 2026.”

Safaricom released the notice under the Capital Markets Act and related regulations. Company Secretary Linda Wambani signed the announcement on February 5, 2026. The notice carries a standard disclaimer from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which approved the publication but stated that it does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Safaricom remains listed and regulated on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

Strong earnings drive payout

The interim dividend represents a 54.5 per cent increase year on year and reflects a strong half-year performance. In November 2025, Safaricom published its results for the six months ended September 30, 2025, showing solid growth across key business areas.

Service revenue rose 11.1 per cent to Ksh200 billion, driven mainly by continued expansion in mobile money and data services. Net income climbed 52.1 per cent compared to the same period last year, supported by tighter cost controls and higher customer usage.

M-Pesa, Safaricom’s mobile money platform, remained a key driver of growth. Transaction values increased as more Kenyans relied on digital payments for everyday transactions.

The payout aligns with Safaricom’s dividend policy, which aims to return a portion of earnings to shareholders while supporting long-term growth. In previous years, the company paid interim dividends of KSh 0.55 in 2025, KSh 0.55 in 2024, and KSh 0.58 in 2023.

With roughly 40 billion shares in issue, the interim dividend could see Safaricom distribute more than Ksh34 billion to shareholders. The announcement comes as the Kenyan government considers selling part of its stake in the company to Vodacom, a proposal currently under parliamentary review.