East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has recorded a 12 per cent rise in profit after tax to Sh12.2 billion for the year ended June 30, 2025 amid mixed micro-economic conditions.
The brewer’s net sales also increased by 4 per cent to Sh128.8 billion, with both beer and spirits delivering milestone volume growth across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
“We are building a future fit East African business,” CEO and Group MD Jane Karuku said. “From an inflation point of view, the past one year has been good… Last 18 months or so, the (Kenya) shilling has been stable, we have seen interest rates go down, which is good for business.”
Ms Karuku added that while informal alcohol has been a challenge affecting their mainstream business big time, they have been busy innovating and executing “very effectively”. Illicit brews, she points out, is currently at 60 per cent – meaning brewers are playing at only 40 per cent leaving out revenue that would have helped government grow the economy in the long run.
EABL’s Chairman, Martin Oduor Otieno, said the company’s growth is as a result of robustness and agility. Mr. Otieno noted that the brewer’s cash and cash equivalents rose to Sh12.7 billion, while basic earnings per share improved from Sh10.30 to Sh11.97 despite shrinking incomes.
It is on the back of this strong performance the company’s Board has recommended a final dividend of Sh5.50 per share, pushing the total dividend for the year to Sh8, which is a 14 per cent increase compared to last year.
What also comes off from EABL’s financial year results is that consumers are value hunting, and there’s rising affluence. It started distributing new brands like Johnie Walker Blonde launched four weeks ago as a result of market demand.
“We remained focused on long-term value creation, while navigating inflation, shrinking disposable incomes and illicit alcohol challenges,” he said.
According to the Group CFO Risper Ohaga, the brewer’s balance sheet remains strong, demonstrating “strong resource” use. To her, a business that has no cash has no means of raising value, particularly in the region.
“We do see strong cash generation from our business,” she said.
