Safaricom PLC has reported one of its strongest financial performances to date, posting Ksh 414 billion in service revenue and nearly Ksh 100 billion in net profit for the financial year ended March 2026.
The telco announced a total dividend payout of Ksh 80.1 billion, equivalent to Ksh 2.00 per share, marking a 66.7 percent increase from the previous year. This includes an interim dividend of Ksh 0.85 and a final dividend of Ksh 1.15 per share.
Growth was largely driven by expansion across key business segments, particularly M-PESA, mobile data, and enterprise services, alongside improving performance in the Ethiopian market. M-PESA revenue in Kenya rose by 13.4 percent to Ksh 182.7 billion, reaffirming its position as the company’s primary growth engine. Increased smartphone usage, digital payments, streaming, and remote work trends also contributed to higher data consumption.
The results come as Safaricom seeks to maintain its market leadership in Kenya while accelerating its regional expansion, particularly in Ethiopia, and repositioning itself as a technology-driven company beyond traditional telecommunications.
Safaricom Chairman Adil Khawaja noted that the company’s Ethiopian operations are transitioning from infrastructure rollout to commercial scale, supported by network expansion, pricing adjustments, and regulatory developments.
“With network coverage now exceeding 50 percent and strong customer growth, Ethiopia is moving from rollout to scale,” he said.
While the Ethiopian business remains in its investment phase, losses narrowed significantly over the period, boosting investor confidence in Safaricom’s long-term regional strategy. The company now serves approximately 72 million customers across its markets.
In a major regulatory milestone, Safaricom also secured a new unified operating licence from the Communications Authority of Kenya, allowing it to continue operating in Kenya for an additional 25 years. Khawaja said the licence renewal provides long-term certainty for continued investment in infrastructure, digital services, and financial technology.
The company further welcomed the rollout of the KESONIA risk-based pricing framework by the Central Bank of Kenya, noting that it aligns with Safaricom’s growing focus on digital lending and fintech innovation.
