East African Breweries posted a 12% rise in profit to Ksh 12.2B in FY2025, driven by strong sales, lower finance costs, and forex gains.
According to the company’s audited financial results, net sales grew by 4 percent to Ksh 128.8 billion, supported by strong consumer demand for both beer and spirits across its core markets of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Volume growth was recorded in flagship brands across all categories, with the brewer noting a resurgence in out-of-home consumption and improved retail channel efficiency.
Chairman Martin Otieno attributed the solid performance to EABL’s strategic resilience in a challenging macroeconomic climate.
“Our strong set of results, marked by double-digit profit expansion, reflects the robustness of our strategy and the dedication of our people. We remained focused on long-term value creation while navigating inflation, shrinking disposable income, and illicit alcohol challenges,” he said.
A key contributor to the bottom-line growth was a 27 percent reduction in finance costs, which dropped to Ksh 5.9 billion from Ksh 8.1 billion the previous year. The drop follows an aggressive debt reduction strategy, with the company cutting its borrowings by Ksh 8.3 billion, leveraging improved cash flows and lower prevailing interest rates in the region.
Despite the gains, EABL grappled with cost pressures, including a 17 percent increase in operating expenses to Ksh 29.2 billion, largely due to inflationary input costs and higher distribution and marketing spending to drive brand visibility and market penetration.
Chief Executive Officer Jane Karuku praised the company’s execution teams for staying focused and innovative in a volatile business environment.
“We continue to invest in our brands and broaden our portfolio to stay relevant with today’s consumers. Our strong portfolio, coupled with brilliant commercial execution, enabled us to deliver these results despite a tough environment,” Karuku said.
EABL’s balance sheet remained healthy, with cash and cash equivalents rising to Ksh 12.7 billion, underscoring the brewer’s improved liquidity position. Basic earnings per share (EPS) also improved significantly, climbing from Ksh 10.30 to Ksh 11.97.
Reflecting its strong financial standing and commitment to shareholder returns, the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of Ksh 5.50 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to Ksh 8 per share — a 14 percent increase from the previous year.
The brewer, majority-owned by Diageo, remains one of the most profitable companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and continues to play a central role in East Africa’s beverage industry, both as a tax contributor and a large-scale employer.
With continued investment in innovation, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability, EABL signaled its intention to stay competitive and deepen its footprint in Africa’s evolving consumer markets.
