Safaricom’s economic, social and environmental impact has reached KSh 1.1 trillion, according to its latest Sustainable Business Report 2025. The “True Value” figure is 16 times greater than the company’s financial profit.
The report, themed “Anchored on Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” quantifies the telco’s holistic value to society beyond profit, capturing the impact of initiatives in digital inclusion, financial access, climate action, and corporate governance.
“At the heart of our journey is sustainability, embedded not as an obligation, but as a business imperative,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC. “Now in our 14th year of publishing our Annual Sustainable Business Report, we continue to hold ourselves accountable, using the Sustainable Development Goals as our blueprint for impact.”
Driving Growth
Safaricom contributed KSh 809 billion to Kenya’s GDP in FY25 through its operations, sustaining over 1.3 million jobs directly and indirectly. Its True Earnings rose 15.25% from KSh 983 billion to KSh 1.13 trillion. This was mainly driven by increased value from M-PESA, higher CAPEX and OPEX investments and more Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives.
M-PESA’s generated societal value grew by 17% to KSh 407 billion. Customers account for 46% of this value through improved access to financial services, safety and income growth. This is quite impressive.
Safaricom saw smartphone penetration on the network rise from 44% to 50%. This was fueled by the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo device financing model. Digifarm disbursed KSh 945 million to support 169,000 loans. 36% of the loan recipients are women and 17% are youth.
The telco planted over 830,000 trees and restored 694 hectares across 8 counties in FY25 as part of progress to its Net Zero by 2050 ambition. It has so far planted 2.3 million trees towards its 2030 target of 5 million.
Governance and Data Ethics
The company’s governance and risk management structures were strengthened through:
- Achieving ISO 27701 certification for Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS).
- 87% reduction in fraud cases through AI-driven fraud detection systems.
- Detection of poaching-related financial flows via M-PESA. 14 poachers reported to the Financial Reporting Centre.
- Introduction of IFRS-aligned sustainability disclosures for better transparency.
“Purpose before profit remains our North Star,” Dr. Ndegwa emphasized. “Our ambition is to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030, driving shared prosperity and sustainable innovation.”
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