23 February 2026
Equity Bank Dividend 2026: Record KES 5.75 — Book Close May 22, Payment July 2026
The Equity Bank dividend 2026 has been confirmed at KES 5.75 per share — a 35.3% increase from last year and the largest payout in Equity Group’s history. The book close is May 22, 2026, with payment expected in July 2026. This guide covers the confirmed dates, exactly how much you will earn based on your shareholding, and whether the dividend is sustainable long term.
✅ Updated April 8, 2026: All figures reflect Equity Group Holdings’ confirmed FY2025 results announced March 18, 2026. Dividend dates sourced from Equity Group’s official 2026 Corporate Events Calendar.
Equity Bank Dividend 2026 — Key Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NSE ticker | EQTY |
| Current share price | KES 71.50 (April 8, 2026) |
| All-time high | KES 80.00 (February 27, 2026) |
| 1-year gain | ~+52% |
| Dividend per share (FY2025) | KES 5.75 |
| Previous year dividend | KES 4.25 |
| Dividend increase | +35.3% |
| Total dividend pool | KES 21.7 billion |
| FY2025 profit after tax | KES 75.5 billion (+55%) |
| Payout ratio | ~29% — highly conservative |
| Dividend yield at KES 71.50 | ~8.0% |
| Payment structure | Annual — one payment |
| Book close date | Friday, May 22, 2026 ✅ Confirmed |
| AGM date | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| Expected payment | ~July 2026 |
The Confirmed Dividend Dates — Act by Mid-May
According to Equity Group Holdings’ official 2026 Corporate Events Calendar, the closure of the register for payment of the proposed ordinary dividend is Friday, May 22, 2026. The AGM is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
This means:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| ~May 16, 2026 | Last day to buy EQTY shares (T+3 settlement) |
| ~May 19, 2026 | Ex-dividend date — shares trade without dividend entitlement |
| May 22, 2026 | Book close — register of qualifying shareholders confirmed |
| June 24, 2026 | AGM — dividend formally approved |
| ~July 2026 | Dividend payment to your bank account |
The T+3 rule: NSE shares take three business days to settle after purchase. To be on the register by May 22, you must buy no later than approximately May 16, 2026. Do not wait until the final day.
Record Profits — The Best Year in Kenyan Corporate History
Equity Group Holdings posted a 55% increase in profit after tax to KES 75.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025 — the most profitable year in Kenyan corporate history. Total revenues climbed to KES 217.7 billion.
The cost-to-income ratio dropped significantly, driven by tighter cost management and increased use of digital channels. Over 98% of transactions now happen outside branches.
Key FY2025 financial results:
| Metric | FY2024 | FY2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit after tax | KES 48.8B | KES 75.5B | +55% |
| Net interest income | KES 108.5B | KES 126.9B | +17% |
| Non-funded income | KES 84.9B | KES 90.8B | +7% |
| Total assets | KES 1.8T | KES 1.97T | +9% |
| Net loans | KES 819.2B | KES 882.5B | +8% |
| Customer deposits | KES 1.40T | KES 1.46T | +4% |
The regional engine behind the headline number
Regional subsidiaries now contribute nearly half of the Group’s profits. DR Congo profit rose 58% to KES 24.7 billion. Uganda recorded a 500% increase to KES 3.6 billion. Rwanda posted profit after tax of KES 5.4 billion with the loan book up 22%. Tanzania’s profit after tax grew 125% to KES 2.7 billion.
This regional diversification is what sets Equity apart from single-market peers. A slowdown in Kenya does not derail the Group’s overall performance — a meaningful long-term protection for dividend investors.
The Dividend — What Is Confirmed
The Board recommended a final dividend of KES 5.75 per share — up from KES 4.25 the prior year, totalling KES 21.7 billion. This represents a 35.3% increase and the largest dividend in Equity Group’s history.
Five-year dividend growth track record
| Year | DPS | Total payout | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KES 2.50 | KES 9.5B | — |
| 2022 | KES 3.00 | KES 11.4B | +20% |
| 2023 | KES 3.50 | KES 13.3B | +17% |
| 2024 | KES 4.25 | KES 16.0B | +21% |
| 2025 | KES 5.75 | KES 21.7B | +35% |
Five consecutive years of dividend growth. From KES 2.50 to KES 5.75 — a 130% increase over the period.
How Much Will You Earn — Complete Earnings Table
Net earnings after 5% withholding tax, based on the confirmed KES 5.75 dividend:
| Shares held | Investment at KES 71.50 | Gross dividend | Tax (5%) | Net received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 shares | KES 7,150 | KES 575 | KES 29 | KES 546 |
| 500 shares | KES 35,750 | KES 2,875 | KES 144 | KES 2,731 |
| 1,000 shares | KES 71,500 | KES 5,750 | KES 288 | KES 5,463 |
| 2,000 shares | KES 143,000 | KES 11,500 | KES 575 | KES 10,925 |
| 5,000 shares | KES 357,500 | KES 28,750 | KES 1,438 | KES 27,313 |
| 10,000 shares | KES 715,000 | KES 57,500 | KES 2,875 | KES 54,625 |
Tax note: The 5% withholding tax is deducted automatically before payment. No filing required — it is a final tax for Kenyan resident individuals.
Monthly income equivalent:
| Investment | Annual net dividend | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| KES 35,750 (500 shares) | KES 2,731 | KES 228 |
| KES 71,500 (1,000 shares) | KES 5,463 | KES 455 |
| KES 143,000 (2,000 shares) | KES 10,925 | KES 911 |
| KES 357,500 (5,000 shares) | KES 27,313 | KES 2,276 |
Is the KES 5.75 Dividend Sustainable?
The short answer is yes — and strongly so.
Equity Group Holdings’ dividend payout ratio stands at approximately 30%, with dividend payments well covered by earnings. The Group paid out KES 21.7 billion from KES 75.5 billion in profit — retaining 71% for growth and capital requirements. Even if profits fell by 40%, the current dividend could still be maintained.
KCB Group Chairman Dr. Kinyua and Equity’s management alike have flagged global geopolitical tensions and higher trade tariffs as risks worth monitoring — but these are macro risks, not company-specific weaknesses. Equity’s geographical spread across six countries gives it a structural buffer most NSE stocks do not have.
The one risk to monitor: Currency volatility in regional markets. Equity earns in DRC francs, Ugandan shillings, and Rwandan francs — all of which can depreciate against the Kenyan shilling, affecting reported Group profits even when local performance is strong.
Dividend outlook for FY2026: If Equity maintains its current trajectory — 10–15% profit growth and a conservative 29–35% payout ratio — the FY2026 dividend could reach KES 6.50–7.00 per share. This is not a guarantee but reflects the consistent pattern of the past five years.
Equity vs KCB — Head-to-Head Comparison
Both are core NSE dividend holdings. Here is the honest comparison based on confirmed FY2025 figures and current prices:
| Metric | Equity Group (EQTY) | KCB Group (KCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Current share price | KES 71.50 | KES 68.25 |
| FY2025 profit growth | +55% | +11% |
| Total dividend per share | KES 5.75 | KES 7.00 |
| Dividend yield | ~8.0% | ~10.3% |
| Payout ratio | ~29% | ~33% |
| Payment frequency | Annual (July) | Twice yearly |
| Book close | May 22, 2026 | April 2, 2026 (closed) |
| Analyst price target range | KES 87–132 | KES 89–126 |
Which is better? They serve different investor needs. KCB offers a higher current yield (~10.3%) and already has its book close behind it — so the next opportunity there is the interim dividend around November 2026. Equity offers superior earnings growth momentum (+55% vs +11%) and the book close is still ahead — you can still qualify for the May 22 book close if you act before mid-May. Both belong in a well-constructed NSE dividend portfolio.
Equity Bank Share Price — Current Situation
EQTY closed at KES 70.00 on April 7, 2026 — a 1.1% gain over its previous close. The stock began the year at KES 66.75 and has since gained approximately 4.87%.
As of April 8, 2026, EQTY is trading at KES 71.50.
EQTY reached its all-time high of KES 80.00 on February 27, 2026. Analyst price targets range from KES 87.00 to KES 132.12. At KES 71.50, the stock trades approximately 11% below its all-time high — and with the book close still six weeks away, the window to buy before the dividend is open.
Our valuation framework:
| Share price | Yield on KES 5.75 | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Below KES 52 | Above 11.1% | Exceptional value |
| KES 52–68 | 8.5–11.1% | Attractive |
| KES 68–80 | 7.2–8.5% | Fair value — current range |
| Above KES 80 | Below 7.2% | Premium — monitor |
At KES 71.50, Equity sits in the fair-to-attractive range, supported by the strongest earnings growth of any large-cap NSE bank and a book close that is still ahead.
How to Qualify for the Equity Bank Dividend 2026
Three requirements:
1. Own EQTY shares before the ex-dividend date. Buy at least five business days before May 22, 2026 — so by approximately May 16. NSE ticker: EQTY.
2. Have a valid CDS account in your name. Not your broker’s name — yours. Linked to your KRA PIN. Active and in good standing. Don’t have one yet? Opening takes five to ten business days — start now, not in May.
3. Have a current bank account registered on your CDS account. If you have changed banks since opening your CDS account, update your registered bank details with your stockbroker immediately. Outdated bank details are the most common reason dividend payments are delayed by weeks.
Fastest buying route: Mali App or Hisa App — download, register, deposit via M-Pesa, search EQTY, place order. If already registered, the process takes about five minutes.
What to Do With Your Equity Dividend When It Arrives
Option 1 — Reinvest into more EQTY shares. Each additional share earns next year’s dividend. Over ten years, this compounding creates significantly more total return than withdrawing dividends as cash.
Option 2 — Diversify into other NSE dividend stocks. Use your Equity dividend to buy one other high-yield NSE stock — KCB, Co-operative Bank, or Stanbic Holdings — building a portfolio that generates income across multiple payment dates.
Option 3 — Park in a money market fund. If you are not ready to invest immediately, move your dividend into a money market fund earning 10–14% annually rather than leaving it in a savings account at 3–4%.
FAQ
What is the Equity Bank dividend 2026 per share? KES 5.75 gross. After 5% withholding tax, the net dividend is KES 5.46 per share. Confirmed by the Board of Directors on March 18, 2026.
When is the Equity Bank dividend 2026 book close? The closure of the register for payment of the proposed ordinary dividend is Friday, May 22, 2026, as confirmed in Equity Group’s official 2026 Corporate Events Calendar.
When will the dividend be paid? Payment is expected in approximately July 2026, following AGM approval on June 24, 2026. The dividend arrives automatically in your registered bank account.
How many Equity shares do I need to earn KES 10,000? At KES 5.75 gross, you need approximately 1,740 shares (KES 10,005 gross / KES 9,505 net after tax) — requiring an investment of approximately KES 124,350 at KES 71.50 per share.
Does Equity pay dividends twice a year? No — Equity pays one annual dividend, typically in July. KCB pays interim and final dividends twice per year. Holding both gives you dividend income at different times of the year.
Is the dividend sustainable? Yes. The 29% payout ratio means Equity retains 71% of its record KES 75.5 billion profit. Even a significant fall in profits would not threaten the dividend at current payout levels.
When are Equity’s next results? Equity Group Holdings is expected to release its next earnings report on May 26, 2026 — H1 2026 results.
More NSE Dividend Guides
- KCB Dividend 2026 — record KES 7.00 per share, 33% payout ratio, pays twice yearly
- Top NSE Dividend Stocks Kenya 2026 — full yield rankings from Standard Chartered at 13.3% to KCB at 9.2%
- NSE Dividend Calendar 2026 — all NSE payment dates in one place
- How to Invest in NSE Kenya 2026 — open a CDS account and buy your first share from KES 5,000
- Best Money Market Funds Kenya 2026 — where to save while building toward your NSE portfolio
- Best SACCOs Kenya 2026 — how to use SACCO membership to access NSE investing
All figures based on Equity Group Holdings FY2025 results announced March 18, 2026. Dividend subject to shareholder approval at the AGM — verify exact book close and payment dates at equitygroupholdings.com when officially announced. Share price approximately KES 50 as at March 2026 — verify current price at nse.co.ke. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.