By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
Safaricom PLC has announced its highest-ever dividend payout of KSh80.13 billion after shareholders approved a final dividend of KSh1.15 per share during the company’s 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The approval brings the total dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 to KSh2.00 per share, following an interim dividend of KSh0.85 per share paid in March 2026. This marks the largest shareholder payout in Safaricom’s history and reflects the company’s strongest financial performance to date.
Safaricom also recorded remarkable growth in shareholder value, with its share price rising by 50.3% during the financial year, increasing the company’s market capitalisation from KSh1.10 trillion at the close of March 2026 to approximately KSh1.44 trillion in the weeks leading up to the AGM.
Speaking during the AGM, Group CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa described the year as a landmark period for the company, noting that Safaricom celebrated 25 years of transforming lives while delivering record financial results. He added that the business has successfully navigated years of heavy investment in Ethiopia, with Safaricom Ethiopia now expected to achieve break-even in the coming financial year.
The final dividend will be paid on or about 4 September 2026 to shareholders on the company’s register as of 4 August 2026.
Over the past five years, Safaricom has returned approximately KSh280 billion in cumulative dividends to shareholders, underlining its commitment to creating long-term value.
As it embarks on its Vision 2030 strategy, Safaricom aims to evolve from a traditional telecommunications operator into a leading technology company. The strategy focuses on delivering personalized customer experiences through artificial intelligence, expanding 4G, 5G and fibre broadband networks, increasing smartphone affordability, and accelerating the growth of M-PESA and digital financial services.
Safaricom Board Chairman Adil Khawaja also welcomed the completion of the transaction that increased Vodacom Group’s shareholding, describing it as a move that strengthens the long-standing partnership and provides greater regional expertise to support the company’s long-term growth ambitions.
The record dividend payout underscores investor confidence in Safaricom’s strategy, financial resilience, and future growth prospects as the company continues its transformation into Africa’s leading technology and digital services provider.
