Safaricom shareholders are in for a major payday after the telco giant announced a final dividend payout, following its highest net profit in over a decade.
Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa on Friday, May 9, said the board had approved a total dividend payout of Sh 1.20 per share, amounting to Sh 48 billion, for the financial year ending March 2025.
“In line with our purpose of transforming lives, we’ll continue creating value for our shareholders,” said Ndegwa during the release of the company’s full-year results.
“During the year, the board approved payment of an interim dividend of 55 cents per ordinary share… The board has resolved to recommend a final dividend of 65 cents per ordinary share. This brings the dividends payable for the financial year 2025 to 1 shilling and 20 cents per share, equivalent to Sh 48 billion.”
By close of the year 2025, Safaricom shareholders will have been paid Sh 55 billion in dividends over the last five years.
He noted that Safaricom has now maintained the same level of dividend payout over a three-year period, even while funding its Ethiopia expansion and weathering foreign exchange volatility.
“This reiterates our exceptional performance in our Kenya business, which offset the foreign exchange corrections in Ethiopia.”
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Strong earnings fuel the payout
Safaricom Kenya posted a net income of Sh 95.5 billion on the back of double-digit growth in revenue and operating profits. Total revenue from its Kenyan operations rose by 11.4% to Sh 381 billion, while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) climbed 13% to Sh 158 billion.
“This year, we didn’t just grow, we accelerated,” Ndegwa said.
Adding:
“Safaricom Kenya achieved Sh 381 billion in total revenue… with EBIT growing by 13% and net income increasing 12.7% to Sh 95.5 billion, nearly reaching Sh 100 billion.”
Group revenue, factoring in Ethiopia, stood at Sh 388.7 billion, while EBIT surged 29.5% to Sh 104.1 billion. Group net income, excluding minority interest, rose 10.8% to Sh 69.8 billion.
Ndegwa noted that Ethiopia is beginning to make a meaningful contribution, accounting for close to 10% of group revenue and showing strong commercial momentum, despite recent foreign exchange reforms.
“Ethiopia has performed greatly… and is now starting to become very accretive,” he said. “This was the year of the highest losses in that segment, but its future contribution looks promising.”
Looking ahead: 2026 and beyond
Safaricom has entered its next strategic cycle with eyes on becoming Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030.
“In terms of 2026… we will accelerate scalable technology as we defend and grow our core business,” Ndegwa said. “We will achieve this by delivering safe and secure— and I repeat that—safe and secure, digital-first customer experiences.”
He added that the company will focus on cost optimization, brand enhancement, regulatory engagement, and customer development, all while maintaining a zero-harm safety culture.
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In terms of financial outlook, Safaricom projects:
Kenya EBIT between Sh 170–173 billion
Ethiopia EBIT loss of KSh 23–26 billion, a marked reduction
Group EBIT between Sh 144–150 billion, a 50% year-on-year increase
Capex for Kenya is expected to remain robust at Sh 54–57 billion, while Ethiopia’s capital spending is projected at Sh 18–21 billion—a 50% drop from last year as the expansion there passes its peak investment phase.
The group is also targeting 15–17 million 90-day active customers in Ethiopia by the end of the 2026 financial year, nearly double from 2025.
“In conclusion… we are proud of our performance this year as we gear up to celebrate our silver jubilee in October. To our shareholders, thank you for your continued belief and investment in this business,” Ndegwa said.
