A wet season for shareholders

SAMANTHA MADE

After enduring long “dry seasons” where dividend declarations were rare or non-existent, shareholders of Zimbabwean companies are finally basking in a “wet season” of payouts, Business Times can report.

In a dramatic turnaround, several corporations are rewarding their loyal investors, signaling resilience, profitability, and a renewed commitment to creating value even in an unforgiving economic environment.

This wave of dividend declarations marks a significant shift from previous years, where economic headwinds forced many companies to withhold payouts.

Today, companies are not only surviving—they are restoring confidence and injecting fresh optimism into Zimbabwe’s capital markets.
Mashonaland Holdings Limited, through its company secretary Egnes Madhaka, announced a final dividend of US$230,000, translating to 0.0136 US cents per share, for the financial year ended 31 December 2024.

“The Board of Directors of Mashonaland Holdings Limited declared a final dividend of US$230,000.00, amounting to 0.0136 US cents per share in respect of 1,687,584,009 ordinary shares in issue,” Madhaka stated, emphasising the company’s unwavering focus on shareholder value even amid economic turbulence.
Fidelity Life Assurance (FLA) also joined the dividend declaration bandwagon, with its chairman Livingstone Gwata announcing a dividend of US$300,000, equivalent to 0.00275 US cents per share.

“I am pleased to advise of the Board’s decision to recommend the declaration of a dividend of USD300,000. The dividend is in accordance with the company’s Dividend Policy of 40% on realized cash shareholder profit. It stands as an acknowledgment of shareholders’ continued support during challenging years and is a testament to our journey toward sustainable profitability,” Gwata said.
In a further boost to investor sentiment, cash-rich Innscor Africa Limited board chairman Addington Chinake announced an interim dividend of 1.45 US cents per share, reflecting an increase from the 1.40 US cents paid in the interim period (H1 F2024).

“The Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend payable to all shareholders registered at the close of business on 11 April 2025,” Chinake said, underlining Innscor’s ongoing focus on delivering tangible returns to its investors.
Zimre Holdings Limited (ZHL) continued the positive trend, with chairman Desmond Matete disclosing a final dividend of US$750,000, or US$0.00041 per share, for the year ended 31 December 2024.

“The dividend, which marks a 25% growth from the total dividend declared for the year 2023, reflects the strengthening of the Group’s cash wallet strategy and its commitment to passing cash profits to shareholders,” Matete noted, citing prudent financial management amid tough economic conditions.
CBZ Holdings’ group chairman Luxon Zembe announced that the financial services giant proposed a final dividend of US$10,000,000, translating to US$1.61 cents per share. This represents a significant 25% increase from the US$8,000,000 paid out in the previous year.

“A separate dividend announcement with record and settlement dates will be published separately in due course,” Zembe said, highlighting CBZ’s impressive growth trajectory and strategic focus on enhancing shareholder value.
Adding further momentum to the dividend season, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) declared a final dividend of US$2.5m after a strong rebound in tourism and hospitality demand. RTG’s dividend underscores the group’s ability to convert operational gains into tangible shareholder rewards despite lingering sectoral challenges.

Similarly, ZB Financial Holdings Limited (ZBFHL) declared a dividend of US$500,000 for the 2024 financial year. The diversified financial services group credited improved profitability, disciplined cost management, and strengthened capital buffers for its ability to deliver meaningful returns to shareholders.
For many investors, the past few years were defined by drought—of dividends, of profits, and of corporate confidence. Today, the landscape is changing. Zimbabwean companies are opening the floodgates, ushering in what could be the most rewarding dividend season in recent memory.

As earnings releases continue to trickle in, shareholders can look forward to even more announcements, reaffirming the resurgence of Zimbabwe’s corporate sector and offering a much-needed deluge of optimism for the future.