Updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: Safaricom’s dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 is KSh 2.00 per share, its highest ever. It came in two parts: an interim dividend of KSh 0.85 paid on or about 31 March 2026, and a final dividend of KSh 1.15 approved at the AGM on 31 July 2026, with books closing on 4 August 2026 and payment on or about 4 September 2026. The total payout is KSh 80.13 billion, up from KSh 1.20 a share (KSh 48.08 billion) in each of the previous three years.
Figures for 2024 to 2026 come from Safaricom’s own results announcements, AGM notice and AGM press releases, and the NSE’s corporate actions page. Earlier years come from published market data compilations, and are marked as such.
In this guide
Safaricom FY2026 Dividend at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Financial year | 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 |
| Interim dividend | KSh 0.85 per share, paid on or about 31 March 2026 |
| Final dividend | KSh 1.15 per share, announced 7 May 2026 |
| AGM approval | 31 July 2026 (18th AGM, held electronically) |
| Book closure (register date) | Close of business, 4 August 2026 |
| Payment date | On or about 4 September 2026 |
| Total dividend per share | KSh 2.00 |
| Total payout | KSh 80.13 billion, the largest in Safaricom’s history |
| Group net income excluding minority interest | KSh 95.61 billion |
Safaricom Dividend History
Safaricom’s financial year ends on 31 March, so “FY2026” covers most of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Since FY2021 the company has paid twice a year: an interim dividend around March and a final dividend around August or September.
| Financial year | Interim (KSh) | Final (KSh) | Total per share (KSh) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 0.85 | 1.15 | 2.00 | Safaricom AGM notice and press release, July 2026 |
| FY2025 | 0.55 | 0.65 | 1.20 | Safaricom FY25 results release, May 2025 |
| FY2024 | 0.55 | 0.65 | 1.20 | Safaricom FY25 results release (prior-year figures) |
| FY2023 | 0.58 | 0.62 | 1.20 | Market data compilation |
| FY2022 | 0.64 | 0.75 | 1.39 | Market data compilation |
| FY2021 | 0.45 | 0.92 | 1.37 | Market data compilation |
| FY2020 | None | 1.40 | 1.40 | Market data compilation |
| FY2019 | None | 1.25 plus 0.62 special | 1.87 | Market data compilation |
The pattern is clear. The dividend fell from KSh 1.39 to KSh 1.20 in FY2023 and stayed there for three years while Safaricom paid the start-up costs of its Ethiopian business and absorbed the fall of the Ethiopian birr after Ethiopia’s currency reforms in July 2024. FY2026 broke that run with a 67% increase, as earnings grew and Ethiopia moved closer to profitability, according to Safaricom.
How Safaricom Decides Its Dividend
In its 2026 AGM question-and-answer document, Safaricom says its payout ratio “has remained consistent at 80% of distributable profits”, applied to group net income excluding minority interest. Put simply, when profit rises, the dividend per share rises with it, and when profit is held back by one-off costs, the dividend stalls. The company also says it pays in two tranches every year and plans to keep doing so, rather than one single payment.
What Is the Safaricom Dividend Yield?
Dividend yield is the yearly dividend divided by the share price. Safaricom has about 40.07 billion shares. Its press release put its market value at KSh 1.10 trillion on 31 March 2026, which works out at roughly KSh 27.5 a share; at that price, KSh 2.00 is a yield of about 7.3%. It also said market value touched KSh 1.44 trillion in the weeks before the July AGM, about KSh 35.9 a share, which would put the yield nearer 5.6%. The yield you actually earn depends on the price you pay, so divide KSh 2.00 by the current share price to work it out.
How Much You Receive: Worked Examples
Dividends paid to Kenyan residents carry 5% withholding tax, which is deducted before payment. You can check other amounts with our withholding tax calculator.
| Shares held | Final dividend (KSh 1.15) | After 5% tax | Full-year FY2026 (KSh 2.00), after tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 115.00 | 109.25 | 190.00 |
| 1,000 | 1,150.00 | 1,092.50 | 1,900.00 |
| 10,000 | 11,500.00 | 10,925.00 | 19,000.00 |
| 100,000 | 115,000.00 | 109,250.00 | 190,000.00 |
To receive the FY2026 final dividend, you had to be on Safaricom’s register at the close of business on 4 August 2026. Shares bought after that date did not qualify for the KSh 1.15, even though the money was paid in September.
How Safaricom Pays Dividends
Safaricom’s AGM notice says M-Pesa is the preferred way to pay dividends below KSh 250,000. Shareholders who have not signed up for M-Pesa payment can opt in through the AGM USSD registration or by contacting the share registrar:
- Image Registrars Limited: 5th Floor, Absa Towers (formerly Barclays Plaza), Loita Street, Nairobi
- Phone: 0709 170 000 or 0730 121 100
- Email: safaricomshares@image.co.ke
Larger amounts, and shareholders who prefer it, are paid by bank transfer. If your phone number or bank account has changed since you bought the shares, update it with the registrar or your stockbroker before the next book closure. Dividends sent to dead numbers or closed accounts end up unclaimed; see how to check and claim unclaimed dividends.
When Is the Next Safaricom Dividend?
The next payment will be the interim dividend for FY2027 (the year ending 31 March 2027). Going by the pattern of recent years, Safaricom declares the interim dividend with its half-year results and pays it around the end of March. The final FY2027 dividend would then be proposed with the full-year results around May 2027 and paid after the AGM. No FY2027 amount had been announced when this page was checked. Watch our NSE dividend calendar for the date and amount once Safaricom announces them, and compare with other payers such as our EABL dividend history.
Shares Versus the Ziidi Fund
Owning Safaricom shares is not the same as putting money in Safaricom’s Ziidi money market fund. Shares pay dividends and can rise or fall in price; the Ziidi fund is a money market fund that earns daily interest. Many investors hold both for different goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Safaricom dividend for 2026?
KSh 2.00 per share for the year to 31 March 2026: KSh 0.85 interim and KSh 1.15 final.
When was the Safaricom final dividend paid?
On or about 4 September 2026, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 4 August 2026.
How many times a year does Safaricom pay dividends?
Twice: an interim dividend around March and a final dividend around August or September.
How do I receive my Safaricom dividend on M-Pesa?
Register for M-Pesa payment through the AGM USSD service or contact Image Registrars on 0709 170 000 or safaricomshares@image.co.ke. M-Pesa is the preferred channel for amounts below KSh 250,000.
What tax is charged on Safaricom dividends?
Kenyan resident shareholders have 5% withholding tax deducted at source.
What was Safaricom’s total dividend payout for FY2026?
KSh 80.13 billion, the biggest in the company’s history.
Last checked 19 October 2026. This page explains published dividend data and is not investment advice.
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