BAT Kenya Announces Highest Ever Dividend Payout to Shareholders

BAT Kenya shareholders have today approved a final dividend of Ksh 60 per share for the year ended 31st December 2025. The shareholders’ approval, given today at the company’s 74th Annual General Meeting (AGM), brings the total dividend payout to KSh 70 per share, making it the highest dividend payout by BAT Kenya.

The dividend payout comes after BAT Kenya’s strong profit growth for the year ended 31st December 2025, driven by effective cost management and lower finance costs.

During the period, profit before tax rose to KSh 7.7 billion, up from KSh 6.5 billion in the previous year, an 18% increase.

BAT Kenya Managing Director Crispin Achola, said 2025 was a remarkable year for BAT Kenya. Despite a challenging operating environment in which the illicit trade in tobacco continued to grow, the company delivered strong financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, he added.

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Mr Achola said these results were driven by effective cost management and lower financing costs.

“The year was, however, marked by a continued rise in illicit cigarette trade, which remains a significant global and domestic challenge,” he added. “We continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and government agencies in support of efforts to strengthen appropriate enforcement action and drive a more stable and compliant operating environment.”

Sustainability and impact

BAT Kenya continues to strengthen livelihoods across its value chain, supporting over 80,000 dependents and beneficiaries, contributing to their overall well-being and economic development. During the period, BAT Kenya paid KSh 1.4 billion to farmers for tobacco leaf purchases across the country, up from KSh 1.1 billion paid the previous year.

Through its sustainable agriculture initiatives, 100% of all BAT Kenya contracted farmers are now growing alternative crops alongside tobacco, compared to 98% in the previous year.

This has been achieved through farmer training on crop diversification and sustainable practices. The company’s Rural Women Development Programme (RuWDep) also expanded, reaching 334 participants in 2025 with capacity building, financial literacy, and income diversification opportunities.

The company also made notable progress in waste reduction and circularity, reducing total waste to 1,105.6 tonnes in 2025 from 1,151.8 tonnes in 2024. Of this, 1,095 tonnes (99%) were recycled, with zero waste sent to landfill.

Outlook and strategic focus

BAT Kenya remains focused on delivering sustainable value while advancing BAT’s global purpose of realising A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. This means a focus on accelerating Tobacco Harm Reduction through science-based innovation, highlighted by the successful relaunch of VELO™ oral nicotine pouches in Kenya, alongside continued advocacy for progressive, evidence-based regulation.

That said, combatting illicit cigarettes trade will continue to be a top priority given its impact on government revenue and the sustainability of legitimate businesses. Whilst efforts have been made by relevant Government agencies to address the growing challenge of illicit trade, more robust measures and enhanced enforcement actions are required to arrest the menace.

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