Safaricom PLC has declared an interim dividend of Sh0.85 per ordinary share for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, signaling strong financial performance and continued commitment to shareholder returns.

In a public announcement, the telecommunications firm said its board approved the dividend during a meeting held on February 4, 2026.

“The Board of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce that at its meeting held on February 4, 2026, it was resolved to approve the payment of an interim dividend of Sh0.85 per ordinary share for the year ending March 31, 2026,” the company said.

The dividend will be payable to shareholders registered in the company’s Register of Members as at the close of business on February 25, 2026. Payments are expected to be made on or about March 31, 2026.

The notice was issued under the approval of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in accordance with the Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023. Safaricom noted that as a listed company, it operates under CMA regulation.

Company Secretary Linda Wambani, who signed the announcement on February 5, 2026, said the approval followed standard board procedures and complied with all statutory requirements.

The interim dividend represents a 54.5 per cent year-on-year increase, reflecting a strong half-year performance by the telco.

In November 2025, Safaricom released its financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2025, reporting solid growth across its core business segments. Service revenue rose by 11.1 per cent to Sh200 billion, driven largely by continued expansion in mobile money and data services.

Net income for the period climbed 52.1 per cent compared to the same period last year, supported by tighter cost controls and increased customer usage.

The dividend announcement boosted investor confidence, with Safaricom’s share price crossing the Sh30 mark on Wednesday to close at Sh30.60, a two per cent gain from the previous trading session.

Safaricom started the year trading at Sh28.35 and has since gained 7.94 per cent, ranking 16th on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in terms of year-to-date performance.

Analysts say shareholders have reason for optimism, noting that the stock has gained five per cent over the past four weeks, making it the 19th best-performing counter on the NSE over that period.