NAIROBI, Kenya – Safaricom isn’t just making calls anymore—it’s calling the shots across East Africa’s tech and financial sectors.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the telco-turned-tech-giant reported a whopping Sh388.7 billion ($3 billion) in revenue, an 11.2pc year-on-year jump that sent shareholders straight to the bank.
In a move that signals confidence and maturity in its strategy, Safaricom will pay out Sh48.08 billion in dividends, combining a final dividend of 65 cents with a previously issued 55 cents per share.
Safaricom has wrapped up its ambitious five-year strategy that saw it evolve from a legacy telecom firm into a full-fledged technology company. This wasn’t just a branding refresh.
Through the rollout of new TechCo products and a sharp focus on digitising services in Kenya and Ethiopia, the firm recorded a 29.5pc surge in EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) to Sh151 billion.
Investments in data analytics, customer segmentation, and digital public sector solutions powered its Kenyan operations. Meanwhile, Safaricom Ethiopia is no longer just a promising startup—it now contributes nearly 10pc to group revenue, with over 8.8 million customers and 3,141 active sites. The Ethiopian unit is expected to break even by 2027.
M-PESA and Mobile Data Drive Revenue Gain
Kenya continues to be Safaricom’s revenue engine. Service revenue rose 10.5pc to Sh364.3 billion, thanks largely to the fintech darling M-PESA.
Now 18 years old and stronger than ever, M-PESA pulled in Sh161 billion, accounting for 44.2pc of Kenya’s service revenue. The secret? A broader portfolio now tapping into wealth management and credit solutions, not just P2P payments.
On the connectivity front, mobile data revenue rose 15.2pc to Sh72.9 billion, boosted by increased 4G adoption. Even voice—yes, actual phone calls—managed to buck the global decline, rising 1.6pc to Sh80.8 billion.
Safaricom’s broadband and mobile services now contribute over half (50.8pc) of Kenya’s service revenue, clocking in at Sh185.2 billion.
Tech, Dividends, and Purpose
Beyond the numbers, Safaricom’s leadership is doubling down on its identity as a purpose-led company. Over the last five years, it has invested Sh18 billion in programs focused on education, health, environment, and economic empowerment. That’s not PR fluff—it’s part of the company’s long game.
“We’re not just delivering returns,” CEO Peter Ndegwa said. “We’re shaping the digital future of Kenya, Ethiopia, and beyond. This year’s performance is our launchpad into a new era.”
The company has already set its sights on becoming Africa’s leading purpose-driven tech firm by 2030, and with growth in both traditional and digital sectors, it’s not just dreaming big—it’s executing.
With double-digit growth, a hefty Sh48 billion dividend payout, and a growing footprint in Ethiopia, Safaricom has proven that a telco can become a tech titan—and take shareholders along for the ride.
