HF Group Plc has secured Capital Markets Authority approval to issue and list 94,274,401 new ordinary shares at Sh5 each under its Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP).
The move, part of the company's incentive programme, allows eligible employees to benefit from ownership, following shareholder authorisation in May 2025 and in line with the ESOP Trust Deed and regulatory approvals.
The announcement, made on December 4, 2025, comes following the CMA’s approval on November 27, 2025.
According to the company statement, the shares will be allotted to the ESOP under the Company's incentive programme and in accordance with the ESOP Trust Deed.
The issuance is part of a broader plan approved by shareholders earlier this year. “This is pursuant to the resolution passed by shareholders on May 28, 2025, authorising the Board of Directors of the Company to replace the existing employees' share scheme dated the 2nd day of July Two thousand and eight with a new employees' share scheme under the Companies Act 2015,” the statement notes.
The new scheme enables the company to grant shares and options to eligible employees, ensuring a structured plan for employee ownership.
The statement further clarifies that the ESOP is designed to be in a form and structure to be approved by the Board of Directors, the Capital Markets Authority and any other relevant Authority.
Shareholders had specifically empowered the board to allot the ESOP shares, with the statement adding that “the Shareholders authorised the Board of Directors of the Company to allot the ESOP 94,274,401 new ordinary shares of Sh5 each, being the ESOP Shares, such shares to be issued to eligible employees for such consideration and such terms as is established in the ESOP Trust Deed and Rules.”
HF Group describes the move as part of its commitment to creating value and ownership opportunities for employees.
The company’s Group Company Secretary, Regina Anyika, issued the public announcement on behalf of the board, reinforcing the strategic intent behind the initiative.
A disclaimer accompanies the announcement, noting that the announcement is for information purposes only.
It has been issued with the approval of the Capital Markets Authority pursuant to the Capital Markets (Securities) (Public Offers, Listing and Disclosures) Regulations 2023.
As a matter of policy, the Capital Markets Authority assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the statements appearing in this announcement.
HF Group Plc is regulated as a Non-Operating Holding Company by the Central Bank of Kenya. Through the ESOP, the company aims to incentivise employees while strengthening internal alignment with its long-term growth strategy.
The issuance marks a significant milestone in HF Group’s journey of integrating employee participation in corporate ownership, reflecting the company’s motto, “Dreams Made Possible.”
By enabling employees to become stakeholders, HF Group is not only fostering loyalty and motivation but also creating a shared sense of achievement among its workforce.
This development comes amidst growing interest in employee ownership schemes in Kenya, positioning HF Group as a pioneer in structured employee incentive plans within the financial services sector.
The ESOP structure ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks while offering clear benefits to employees through share ownership.
In conclusion, the ESOP issuance reflects HF Group’s dedication to employee empowerment, shareholder alignment, and corporate governance standards, signaling a forward-looking approach that ties employee rewards directly to the company’s performance and growth prospects.
