Safaricom’s Sustainability Impact Soars to Ksh 1.1 Trillion as PS Festus Lauds Green Partnership.
By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, October 7, 2025 – Safaricom’s contribution to Kenya’s economy and environment has reached new heights, with its total economic, social, and environmental impact hitting Ksh 1.1 trillion in the 2025 financial year. The milestone, which is 16 times higher than its financial profit, was revealed in the company’s latest Sustainable Business Report launched today in Nairobi.
Speaking during the launch, Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Dr Eng Festus Ng’eno praised Safaricom’s partnership with the government in advancing the country’s sustainability agenda. He said the theme “Accelerating the Digital Future” perfectly aligns with Kenya’s national priorities on sustainability, inclusion, and digital transformation. Safaricom has proven to be a valuable partner in promoting environmental stewardship through technology, noting that the collaboration on tree planting, climate restoration, and clean energy demonstrates the power of innovation in achieving sustainability.
He highlighted the government’s bold target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, aimed at restoring forest cover to 30 percent and mitigating the effects of climate change. Dr Festus noted that Safaricom has already made a measurable impact by planting 830,000 trees in the past financial year, restoring 694 hectares of degraded forest land across eight counties. Cumulatively, Safaricom has planted 2.3 million trees out of its target of five million by 2030, engaging over 4,000 community forest members and improving the livelihoods of more than 22,000 people.
The PS applauded the launch of the Jazz Amati App, developed through a partnership between the ministry and Safaricom, describing it as a revolutionary digital platform that enables Kenyans to register, track, and verify tree planting efforts nationwide. He said the app makes environmental action transparent and participatory, allowing every citizen to be part of the climate solution. Safaricom’s sustainability achievements extend beyond reforestation. The company recorded a 99 percent recycling rate, collecting 190 tonnes of e-waste and 62 tonnes of plastic through its M-PESA Green Points initiative. It also fenced 15 kilometres of Kakamega Forest, reinforcing its commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Dr Festus commended Safaricom’s ambitious goal of becoming a net-zero company by 2050, saying it aligns with Kenya’s global climate action commitments. Safaricom has already integrated solar energy in 1,432 sites, representing 22 percent of its renewable energy usage. The company plans to install 3,000 solar PV modules per site within the next year and a half, significantly reducing emissions and generator use. In addition, the telco has deployed artificial intelligence to monitor and optimize energy consumption in real time, improving efficiency and cutting carbon emissions.
According to the report, Safaricom’s social initiatives continue to transform lives. The company has supported nine early-stage startups through its Spark Fund Accelerator Programme and disbursed Ksh 945 million in loans to farmers via DigiFarm. About 36 percent of the beneficiaries were women, while 17 percent were youth, reflecting its focus on inclusion and empowerment. Smartphone ownership among customers has also risen from 44 percent to 50 percent, driven by the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo program, while mobile data usage grew by 15 percent. On governance, Safaricom achieved ISO 27701 certification, the highest standard in privacy and information management, and used AI to reduce fraud cases by 87 percent.
Safaricom CEO Dr Peter Ndegwa said the company’s sustainability journey is guided by a simple mission to transform lives. He emphasized that sustainability is not an obligation but a business imperative, adding that the company continues to measure its impact beyond profits to ensure that its growth benefits people, the planet, and the economy. Dr Festus echoed this sentiment, saying Safaricom’s model demonstrates how purposeful leadership can achieve financial success while delivering social and environmental impact. He added that when government, communities, and the private sector work together, they can build a future that protects the environment and strengthens the economy.
Safaricom’s 2025 Sustainable Business Report, themed “Anchored on Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” highlights the company’s holistic approach to development, using innovation, partnerships, and technology to create value across every sector of society. As Kenya accelerates its transition to a green and digital economy, Safaricom’s efforts stand as a model of how business can lead in building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
