Safaricom today released its 14th Sustainable Business Report, celebrating 25 years of innovation, inclusion, and commitment to sustainability.
The launch event, held at the Michael Joseph Center in Nairobi, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to reflect on the company’s transformation from a mobile operator into a technology company.
Themed “25 Years of Purpose, 25 Years of Impact,” the 2025 report indicates how Safaricom’s continued investments in innovation, connectivity, and clean energy have created economic, social, and environmental value across Kenya and beyond.
In the last financial year, Safaricom contributed KES 983 billion to Kenya’s economy, accounting for 5.1% of the country’s GDP and sustaining over 1.28 million jobs across its value chain.
The company also expanded its 5G coverage to 43 counties and powered 1,400 network sites with renewable energy, highlighting its progress toward a net-zero future by 2050.
“As a purpose-led technology company, we are committed to driving growth with purpose, innovation, and sustainability at the core,” Safaricom stated during the launch.
Leadership Reflections
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa emphasized that the event was not only a celebration of achievements but also a reaffirmation of the company’s vision to transform lives through technology.
“It’s about thanking our customers, our partners, and our society for being with us from the very beginning,” said Ndegwa.
“We’ve always been driven by the desire to improve lives, empower businesses, and create a more inclusive, sustainable future for our society.”
In addition, the CEO outlined four guiding principles anchoring Safaricom’s sustainability journey: leadership, commitment, measurement, and transparency.
The company uses scientific tools to measure its environmental impact, undergoes independent third-party audits, and publishes detailed annual reports to ensure accountability.
Safaricom Chairman Adil Arshed Khawaja (MGH) also spoke of the company’s steady progress under its Purpose Strategy, stating, “This vision is both a declaration and a promise to deploy purpose, technology, and customer obsession into every aspect of the business,” said Khawaja.
He added that Safaricom’s Purpose Strategy has delivered a 4.8% compound annual growth rate over the past five years, embedding sustainability at every level of the organization.
Khawaja also pointed to Safaricom’s expansion into Ethiopia, where an average of 310,000 new customers join daily, as evidence of the telco’s growing regional impact and commitment to affordable, reliable connectivity.
Safaricom’s transformation into a tech company has spurred innovation across multiple sectors. Most of the progress builds on M-PESA’s 18-year legacy of promoting financial inclusion and the M-PESA Foundation’s 15 years of community programs.
“Our purpose has never been more relevant. We’re driven by innovation, grounded in trust, and always focused on transforming lives,” said Ndegwa.
Sustainability as a Business Imperative
A key focus of the 2025 report is Safaricom’s commitment to net-zero emissions, with deep investments in clean energy, circular economy models, and environmental restoration.
So far, Safaricom has transitioned 1,400 network sites to renewable energy, reducing operational carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
The company has also advanced e-waste management, biodiversity restoration, and green financing initiatives that support Kenya’s broader climate agenda.
People, Planet, and Purpose
Under its guiding pillars, Safaricom continues to step up its social and environmental footprint. Some of the company’s achievements include:
- 45% women representation in management and is targeting a 50:50 gender balance across its workforce
- Recognized as a Top Employer in Kenya and Africa for the fourth year in a row by the Top Employers Institute
- Honored by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) as the Most Inclusive Corporate Leader.
- Top honors at the National Diversity & Inclusion Awards (DIAR) 2025
- Securing a sustainability-linked loan with four partner banks, linking financial outcomes to ESG targets such as carbon reduction and social inclusion
Beyond sustainability, Safaricom continues to champion data privacy and ethical leadership as key components of trust.
The company earned ISO 27701 certification for its Privacy Information Management System and reported an improvement in customer trust ratings from 3.4 to 3.9 out of 5.
