Most Profitable NSE Stocks by Dividend Payments

Investing in shares can be lucrative in two ways: through capital gains and dividends. Capital gains come when you buy a share at a low price and sell it higher, while dividends are payments made by companies to shareholders from their profits. 

For investors seeking steady income, dividends are particularly attractive because they provide cash flow even if share prices fluctuate.

At the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), more than 60 companies trade regularly, with several paying dividends to shareholders each year. 

In this article, we rank the top NSE stocks of 2025 based on their dividend payments, calculating the dividend yield as a percentage of the share price for their financial year that ended in December 2024. 

Also Read: How to Start Investing in the Kenyan Stock Market: A Beginner's Guide

1. Liberty Kenya Holdings Plc 

Liberty Kenya Holdings tops our list. The company paid a final dividend of Ksh1.6 per share against a closing share price of Ksh7, giving investors a 22% dividend yield. 

2. Standard Chartered Bank 

Standard Chartered Bank (Stanchart) is another high-performing dividend stock. For the financial year ending December 2024, Stanchart declared a Ksh45 dividend per share. With a share price of Ksh275 at the end of December, this translates to a 16.3% dividend yield. 

3. Stanbic Holdings

Stanbic Holdings delivered a total dividend of Ksh20.74 per share. Compared to its closing price of Ksh141.25, the dividend yield comes to 14.7%, making it one of the most rewarding stocks for income investors. 

Also Read: How Much You Would Spend Buying Just 1 Share From Every Company on the NSE

4. British American Tobacco (BAT) 

The firm announced a total dividend of Ksh50 per share, delivering a 13.45% yield against a share price of Ksh371.75 as of December 30, 2024.

5. Absa Bank 

Absa Bank declared an annual dividend of Ksh1.75 per share against a share price of Ksh17.65, giving a 9.9% yield. 

6. Cooperative Bank 

For the financial year ending December 2024, Cooperative Bank paid a final dividend of Ksh1.5 per share. With a closing share price of Ksh16.1, investors enjoyed a 9.3% dividend yield.

Also Read: How Much Do Kenyans Make in the US Stock Market? See the Top 10 Shares of 2025

7. I&M Bank 

I&M Bank’s total dividend of Ksh3 per share, compared to a share price of Ksh36.40, gave investors an 8.24% yield. 

8. KCB Bank

KCB Bank rounded off our top eight, with a final dividend of Ksh3 per share and a share price of Ksh40 at the end of December, translating to a 7.5% yield. 

Also Read: What to Look Out for When Buying Shares at The NSE

Understanding Dividend Investing

Dividend investing is particularly useful for investors seeking regular income, whether to reinvest for long-term growth or to cover personal expenses. While capital gains are uncertain, dividends provide a tangible return, even if the stock price remains flat or drops slightly.

It’s important to note that dividend yields fluctuate with share prices. A stock may offer a high dividend yield when its price drops, but investors should evaluate the company’s financial health to ensure dividends are sustainable.

Some companies on this list have already declared interim dividends for the 2025 financial year, but final results for the year ending December 2025 are still pending. Money254 will continue tracking dividend announcements, providing updates and comparisons so investors can make informed decisions.