The Government of Kenya has announced that climate risk disclosures will be subjected to the same standards of corporate governance, audit, and regulatory assurance as financial statements. This move was made during the launch of Safaricom PLC's 2026 Sustainable Business Report in Nairobi. Environment and Climate Change PS Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno stated that environmental accountability is now a core requirement for commercial sustainability. He emphasized that transparent reporting is directly tied to capital flow and national development.
Dr. Ng'eno commended Safaricom's environmental stewardship, particularly its alignment with the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. He highlighted the successful deployment of the Jaza Miti digital platform, co-developed by the Ministry and Safaricom, which has scientifically verified over 6.7 billion trees planted across the country. The PS also lauded the firm's operational decarbonisation, including its expansion toward 3,000 solar-powered base stations and full recycling of network hardware waste.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Dr. Gary Conille, urged the private sector to integrate sustainability directly into executive decision-making. He noted that traditional philanthropic models are no longer sufficient to address regional economic and environmental challenges. Dr. Conille emphasized that public funding alone cannot bridge the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) financing gap and that the private sector is not a sponsor of development but a co-author.
Dr. Conille highlighted that routine commercial choices carry the practical weight of public policy, noting that digital pricing, network resilience, and algorithmic transparency dictate market access and community safety during crises. He called for unified action among government, the private sector, and multilateral agencies to ensure digital transformational benefits reach vulnerable populations.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa underscored the company's long-term strategic focus, affirming that commercial success must remain aligned with societal impact. He reaffirmed that the company's principle remains simple: purpose before profit, and reputation before revenue. Ndegwa revealed that Safaricom generated Sh1.24 trillion in total value for Kenyan society over the past financial year.
Ndegwa announced that the company has implemented a double materiality framework to evaluate both operational environmental impacts and external climate risks. He also noted that Safaricom now leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proactively detect and neutralise more than 94 per cent of potential fraud attempts before impact. The 2026 Sustainable Business Report marks Safaricom's 15th consecutive year of corporate sustainability reporting.
The report launch signifies a major milestone in Safaricom's commitment to sustainability and environmental accountability. The company's efforts have been recognized by the government and the UN, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the private sector and government in achieving sustainable development goals. Key initiatives and strategies have been put in place to ensure that sustainability is integrated into the company's operations and decision-making processes.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has announced that climate risk disclosures will be audited like financial statements.
- Safaricom has generated Sh1.24 trillion in total value for Kenyan society over the past financial year.
- The company has implemented a double materiality framework to evaluate operational environmental impacts and external climate risks.
