Safaricom Dividends 2026 Payout Date: Everything You Need to Know
The Safaricom dividends 2026 payout date for the final dividend is approximately September 4, 2026 — but your window to qualify is closing fast. The book closure date is August 4, 2026, and under the NSE’s T+3 settlement rule, your absolute last day to buy shares and qualify is July 30, 2026. After that date, new buyers will not receive the KES 1.15 final dividend.
This guide covers the confirmed figures, exact dates, what lands in your account after tax, and a complete 10-year Safaricom dividend history.
⚠️ Urgent — 10 days remaining: The Safaricom final dividend book closure is August 4, 2026. You must own shares by July 30, 2026 (T+3 buy deadline) to qualify for the KES 1.15 final payout. After this date, new buyers wait for the next cycle.
Safaricom Dividends 2026 Payout Date — Confirmed Key Dates
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NSE Ticker | SCOM |
| Total FY2026 dividend per share | KES 2.00 |
| Interim dividend (paid) | KES 0.85 per share — paid March 31, 2026 ✅ |
| Final dividend (upcoming) | KES 1.15 per share |
| Ex-dividend / book closure date | August 4, 2026 🟢 Still open |
| T+3 buy deadline | July 30, 2026 ⚠️ |
| AGM date | July 31, 2026 |
| Final dividend payment date | Approximately September 4, 2026 |
| Current share price | ~KES 30.60 |
| Total dividend yield | ~6.5% |
| Withholding tax (Kenya residents) | 5% (deducted automatically) |
The KES 2.00 total annual dividend represents a 66.7% increase from the KES 1.20 paid in FY2025, making this Safaricom’s largest annual dividend per share since listing in 2008.
The Record Profits Behind the 2026 Payout
Safaricom’s FY2026 dividend is backed by record financial performance. Net income reached an unprecedented KES 100 billion for the year ending March 31, 2026 — driven by accelerating M-Pesa revenue (KES 182.7 billion on its own), improved margins, and growing contributions from the Ethiopia operation.
Safaricom maintains a consistent policy of returning a substantial portion of net profits to shareholders. The KES 80.1 billion total dividend payout pool for FY2026 is the largest single-year corporate dividend declaration in Kenya’s history in absolute terms.
How this breaks down:
- Government of Kenya (35% stake): receives over KES 28 billion directly into Treasury
- Retail investors and institutions: receive the remaining KES 52+ billion proportional to shareholding
- Cumulative Safaricom dividends since 2008 listing: over KES 214 billion — the largest cumulative wealth distribution in Kenyan corporate history
Safaricom Dividend Payment Date 2026 — When Will the Money Arrive?
There are two separate payment dates for Safaricom’s FY2026 dividend:
Interim dividend — already paid: KES 0.85 per share was paid on March 31, 2026 to all shareholders registered by the interim book closure date of February 25, 2026. If you held Safaricom shares before February 25, this payment has already arrived.
Final dividend — upcoming: KES 1.15 per share will be paid approximately September 4, 2026, subject to AGM approval on July 31, 2026. Shareholders who are on the register at close of business on August 4, 2026 will receive this payment automatically to their registered bank account.
No action is required on payment date — the funds are credited directly. Ensure your registered bank account on your CDS record is current and active before August 4.
How Much Will You Receive? Net Earnings After Tax
If you buy Safaricom shares before July 30 and hold through August 4, you qualify for the KES 1.15 final dividend. A 5% withholding tax is automatically deducted before payment — no filing required.
Final dividend net earnings by shareholding:
| Shares Held | Gross (KES 1.15) | Tax (5%) | Net to Your Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 shares | KES 115.00 | KES 5.75 | KES 109.25 |
| 500 shares | KES 575.00 | KES 28.75 | KES 546.25 |
| 1,000 shares | KES 1,150.00 | KES 57.50 | KES 1,092.50 |
| 5,000 shares | KES 5,750.00 | KES 287.50 | KES 5,462.50 |
| 10,000 shares | KES 11,500.00 | KES 575.00 | KES 10,925.00 |
| 50,000 shares | KES 57,500.00 | KES 2,875.00 | KES 54,625.00 |
To earn KES 10,000 net from the final dividend alone, you need approximately 9,154 Safaricom shares — worth approximately KES 280,000 at current prices.
Total FY2026 dividend net earnings (both payments):
| Shares Held | Gross (KES 2.00) | Tax (5%) | Net Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 shares | KES 2,000 | KES 100 | KES 1,900 |
| 5,000 shares | KES 10,000 | KES 500 | KES 9,500 |
| 10,000 shares | KES 20,000 | KES 1,000 | KES 19,000 |
How to Buy Safaricom Shares Before the July 30 Deadline
You do not need to visit a stockbroker’s office. Safaricom shares can be bought entirely from your phone in under 10 minutes.
Step 1: Open a CDS account You need a Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC) account in your name to hold NSE shares. Most mobile investing platforms allow you to open one from your phone — try Mali App or Hisa App. Allow 2–5 business days for account activation if you are opening one fresh.
Step 2: Fund your account Transfer funds via M-Pesa or direct bank transfer. At ~KES 30.60 per share, KES 10,000 buys approximately 327 shares. The minimum practical investment depends on your broker’s minimum order size — most accept from KES 5,000.
Step 3: Place your buy order before 2:30pm, by July 30 The NSE closes at 3:00pm. Place your order mid-morning to ensure same-day execution. Your buy deadline is July 30 — buying on July 31 means T+3 settlement lands on August 5, one day after book closure.
Step 4: Confirm settlement Log into your CDS account within 3 business days of your purchase and confirm shares appear in your name. Contact your broker immediately if there is any discrepancy.
Step 5: Verify your bank account details The dividend is credited to the bank account registered on your CDS record. If you have changed banks recently, update your details with your broker before August 4. A payment to a closed account causes significant delays.
Safaricom Dividend History — 10-Year Track Record
Safaricom has paid a dividend every single year since listing on the NSE in 2008 — through market crashes, regulatory shifts, heavy Ethiopia infrastructure investment, and global economic turbulence. This consistency is unmatched by any other company on the exchange.
| Year | Interim DPS | Final DPS | Total DPS | Total Payout Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2017 | — | KES 1.00 | KES 1.00 | ~KES 40B |
| FY2018 | — | KES 1.00 | KES 1.00 | ~KES 40B |
| FY2019 | — | KES 1.00 | KES 1.00 | ~KES 40B |
| FY2020 | — | KES 0.95 | KES 0.95 | ~KES 38B |
| FY2021 | — | KES 1.05 | KES 1.05 | ~KES 42B |
| FY2022 | — | KES 1.25 | KES 1.25 | ~KES 50B |
| FY2023 | KES 0.58 | KES 0.77 | KES 1.35 | ~KES 54B |
| FY2024 | KES 0.55 | KES 0.82 | KES 1.37 | ~KES 54.8B |
| FY2025 | KES 0.55 | KES 0.65 | KES 1.20 | ~KES 48B |
| FY2026 | KES 0.85 | KES 1.15 | KES 2.00 | KES 80.1B |
Key observations from the history:
- FY2026 is the largest annual dividend per share in Safaricom’s history — 66.7% above FY2025
- The introduction of interim dividends from FY2023 onward means shareholders now receive cash twice yearly
- The only year the dividend declined was FY2020 (COVID impact) — it recovered fully the following year
- Cumulative payout since listing: over KES 214 billion, the largest in Kenyan corporate history
Safaricom vs NSE Banking Stocks — Dividend Yield Comparison
At ~KES 30.60 per share and a KES 2.00 total dividend, Safaricom’s yield is approximately 6.5%. How does that compare to the major bank stocks this cycle?
| Company | Total Dividend | Share Price | Yield | Payout Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Group | KES 5.75 | ~KES 50 | ~11.5% | High |
| KCB Group | KES 7.00 | ~KES 76 | ~9.2% | High |
| COOP Bank | KES 2.50 | ~KES 31.60 | ~7.9% | High |
| Safaricom | KES 2.00 | ~KES 30.60 | ~6.5% | Ultra-high |
The verdict: Safaricom’s 6.5% yield is lower than the major bank stocks — but it is backed by a company with KES 100 billion in net income, near-monopoly telco positioning, and a 15-year unbroken dividend record. You buy Safaricom for the combination of near-guaranteed dividend consistency and long-term share price growth driven by M-Pesa and Ethiopia expansion. If your goal is maximum immediate cash yield, bank stocks like Equity and KCB currently offer higher returns. If your goal is the safest, most predictable dividend income on the NSE, Safaricom is in a category of its own.
What to Do With Your Dividend When It Arrives
When the KES 1.15 final dividend lands in your account in September 2026, you have three smart options:
Option 1: Reinvest into more Safaricom shares Use the dividend to buy additional shares before the next interim book closure (expected February 2027). Compounding dividend income by reinvesting is how long-term investors significantly increase their yield on cost over time.
Option 2: Rotate into higher-yield bank stocks The August/September 2026 calendar brings the EABL final dividend and KCB interim dividend. Your Safaricom payout can be immediately redeployed to catch the next wave. See our NSE Book Closure Dates 2026 tracker for all upcoming dates.
Option 3: Park in a Money Market Fund while you decide Don’t let the cash sit idle in M-Pesa. Move it to a Money Market Fund earning 10%+ annually while you plan your next move. The Safaricom interim dividend in March showed how quickly the next opportunity arrives — having your capital liquid and working means you are always ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Safaricom dividends 2026 payout date? The Safaricom final dividend payout date for FY2026 is approximately September 4, 2026. The interim dividend of KES 0.85 per share was already paid on March 31, 2026. The final dividend of KES 1.15 per share will be paid in September to all shareholders registered by the book closure date of August 4, 2026.
What is the Safaricom dividend payment date 2026? There are two payment dates. The interim payment was March 31, 2026 (KES 0.85 per share). The final payment is approximately September 4, 2026 (KES 1.15 per share), following AGM approval on July 31, 2026.
When is the Safaricom book closure date 2026? The Safaricom final dividend book closure date is August 4, 2026. Shareholders must be on the register at close of business on this date to receive the KES 1.15 final dividend. Under T+3 settlement, the last day to buy and qualify is July 30, 2026.
What is the total Safaricom dividend for 2026? The total FY2026 Safaricom dividend is KES 2.00 per share — comprising KES 0.85 interim paid March 31, 2026 and KES 1.15 final due September 2026. This is a 66.7% increase from the KES 1.20 paid in FY2025.
Is the Safaricom dividend tax-free in Kenya? No, but the rate is low. A 5% withholding tax for Kenyan resident individuals is deducted automatically before payment. No filing is required. Capital gains from selling Safaricom shares are currently taxed at 0%.
What is the Safaricom dividend yield in 2026? At a current share price of approximately KES 30.60, the KES 2.00 total FY2026 dividend gives a yield of approximately 6.5%. This is lower than major bank stocks but backed by the most financially stable company on the NSE.
How many Safaricom shares do I need to earn KES 10,000 net from the final dividend? Approximately 9,154 shares(worth ~KES 280,000 at current prices) will generate KES 10,000 net after 5% withholding tax from the KES 1.15 final dividend alone.
What is the KES 214 billion Safaricom dividend figure? KES 214 billion is the cumulative total of all dividends Safaricom has paid to shareholders since its NSE listing in 2008. It represents 15+ years of consistent annual payouts — the largest cumulative corporate dividend in Kenya’s history. The FY2026 payout of KES 80.1 billion is the single largest annual distribution.
What happens if I miss the August 4 book closure? You will not receive the FY2026 final dividend. Your next opportunity will be Safaricom’s FY2027 interim dividend, expected around February 2027. There are no exceptions or appeals to missing the book closure date.
More NSE Dividend Guides
- NSE Book Closure Dates 2026 — all upcoming dates and deadlines in one tracker
- KCB Dividends 2026 — record KES 7.00 per share
- Equity Bank Dividends 2026 — KES 5.75 per share after 55% profit jump
- COOP Dividends 2026 — KES 2.50, largest in bank’s history
- Best Money Market Funds Kenya 2026 — where to park your dividend cash between cycles
- How to Invest in NSE Kenya 2026 — open a CDS account and buy your first share
FY2026 results announced May 7, 2026. Final dividend subject to AGM approval July 31, 2026. Book closure August 4, 2026. Share price approximately KES 30.60 as of July 2026. Always verify current dates at nse.co.ke and cdsckenya.com. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
