Kenya’s biggest TechCo. Safaricom will unveil a transformative blueprint for inclusive growth, with education and gender parity at the heart of its long-term impact strategy.
Under the banner “Anchored in Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” the telco is redefining what it means to build a digitally empowered society.
Education as an Equaliser: Building Citizens of the Future
Safaricom’s flagship education initiative, Citizens of the Future, consolidates its diverse education programs into one portfolio, spanning early years, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. From classroom construction to teacher training, digital integration to scholarship expansion, the goal is to create a seamless, scalable impact.
“We strongly believe education is an equaliser,” said Karen Basiye, Safaricom’s Director of Sustainable Business and Social Impact during the launch Safaricom’s 2025 Sustainable Business Report. “If not Safaricom, who can live for education in this country?”
The program will officially launch on October 30, bringing together Safaricom’s diverse education portfolio — from the M-PESA Foundation Academy to digital learning tools — under one umbrella.
Scaling Scholarships, Rebuilding Schools
Safaricom will also scale its scholarship program from 130 to 380 students annually, with a target of 1,000 scholarships per year by 2030. These will extend beyond the M-PESA Foundation Academy, creating a new cohort of Citizens of the Future Scholars.
“We learned we can give many more Kenyans the opportunity at education,” Basiye said. “We are not just building one beautiful classroom in a bad school — we are bringing down the entire matope school and rebuilding it.”
The initiative also tackles digital inequality head-on. Safaricom is investing in STEM infrastructure for overcrowded schools and envisions a future where top-tier teachers can deliver lessons remotely to underserved regions.
“My dream is that one day, with the power of technology, the teacher of Alliance or Starehe can teach chemistry to schools that don’t have that teacher,” Basiye shared.
“This child is supposed to be competing with the child in Korea, China, and America,” Basiye added. “They have never touched a gadget — we must change that.”
Gender Parity in Action
Safaricom’s commitment to gender equity is more than a metric; it’s a movement. The company has achieved 45% women representation in leadership and is targeting a 50:50 gender balance across its workforce by 2030.
“Being a woman in leadership, I want to see the day we have 50% male, 50% female, not just across the business, but at the top,” said Basiye.
Beyond internal representation, Safaricom is pushing for inclusive procurement, aiming for 10% of its total spend to go to women-led businesses, persons with disabilities, and other special interest groups. The current figure stands at 4.55%, with steady progress underway.
“We are proud of our efforts to promote equity and inclusion. Our programmes are designed to ensure that women and persons with disabilities are not only included but also empowered. We believe that inclusive growth is the foundation of a resilient society.”
Youth-Led Innovation: Voices from the Frontline
During the launch, the company celebrated young changemakers like Joyce Karimi, a graduate of the M-PESA Foundation Academy and founder of Mazingira Green Hub. Her journey from rural Kenya to law school and climate entrepreneurship exemplifies the ripple effect of inclusive education.
“We were taught to be thinkers, doers, and leaders,” Karim shared. “Now I lead an organisation with 70 volunteers, marrying law and sustainability to empower communities.”
Janet Kangogo, a beneficiary of Safaricom’s Women in Tech program, echoed the call for digital equity:
“The future of Kenya’s innovation is youth-led and local. We must solve problems affecting us — for Kenya, by Kenya.”
A Future Built for Brilliance
By 2030, Safaricom aims to:
- Achieve 50:50 gender balance across its workforce
- Allocate 10% of procurement spend to special interest groups
- Scale education scholarships to 1,000 annually
- Integrate digital learning into underserved schools
- Reduce its carbon footprint and transition to a circular economy
“Our purpose has never been more relevant,” said CEO Peter Ndegwa. “We’re are are driven by innovation, grounded in trust, and always focused on transforming lives. As we mark 25 years of transforming lives, our journey from 17,000 subscribers in 2000 to over 60 million customers across Kenya and Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC reflects a purpose-driven growth story. For us, sustainability isn’t just a responsibility, it’s our competitive edge. Guided by the SDGs, we remain committed to creating meaningful impact.”
Safaricom Powers Kenya’s Economy and Green Future
In the last financial year, Safaricom contributed KES 983 billion to Kenya’s economy, representing 5.1% of the national GDP and supporting over 1.28 million jobs across its value chain.
The company also expanded 5G coverage to 43 counties and powered 1,400 network sites with renewable energy, marking key milestones in its journey 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.
