Dr. Peter Ndegwa (CBS) is the Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom Group PLC, a $2.5 Billion business, the leading technology company in Africa and the pioneer of M-PESA, the world’s most advanced mobile payment system. With a customer base of over 53 million, Safaricom operates as Safaricom PLC in Kenya and Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC in Ethiopia and is recognized as the top employer in both countries and Africa.

A seasoned board-level executive, Dr. Ndegwa joined Safaricom in April 2020 as CEO and was appointed to its Board of Directors. Safaricom is a partner member of Vodafone and Vodacom Group Africa, and in August 2020, he was appointed as a member of the Vodacom Group Executive Committee. 

A champion of  sustainability and social impact, Dr Ndegwa has demonstrated passion and commitment to driving purpose and being the biggest supporter of communities. He holds the position of Founder of Safaricom Foundation and is a trustee of M-PESA Foundation, where he has personally championed and launched big social impact programmes in health, education and economic empowerment such as Ndoto Zetu, Citizens Of The Future, and taking healthcare services closer to the people through free medical camps.

He brings over 30 years of leadership experience across Telecommunications, Financial Services, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors in Africa and Europe. His expertise spans Telecommunications, General Management, Commercial, Strategy, and Finance Operations, making him a transformational leader driving innovation and sustainable growth in the digital economy.

Under his leadership Safaricom is transitioning from a telecommunications to a technology company. In 2024 it became the first company to surpass one billion dollars in earnings (EBIT) in the region and has grown to become one of Kenya’s biggest brands and strongest supporter of the society.

Amongst his key achievements, Dr. Ndegwa led Safaricom PLC in collaboration with other global partners to set up Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC which was awarded a license to operate in April 2021.As of December 31st 2024, Safaricom Ethiopia covered over 48.5% of the Ethiopian population with over 7.1 million customers acquired on the Safaricom network, and 1.4 million customers on M-PESA.

In November 2022, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya, appointed Dr. Peter Ndegwa as the Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Drought Response, tasking him with leading a private-sector-driven initiative to mitigate the effects of drought and enhance resilience across the country.

Dr. Ndegwa was awarded the First Class: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S) in December 2023, in recognition of distinguished and outstanding services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities, conferred by H.E The President of Kenya Dr. William Ruto.

Further solidifying his impact in the education sector, Dr. Ndegwa was inaugurated as the second Chancellor of Meru University of Science and Technology in February 2024, a position he will hold for a five-year term. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to education, innovation, and societal transformation, he was honored with a Doctor of Business Management (Honoris Causa) from the same university in October 2024.

Dr. Ndegwa holds an MBA from the London Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).

Prior to joining Safaricom, Dr. Peter Ndegwa played a pivotal role in Diageo PLC, overseeing operations across 50 countries spanning Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Before that, he served as CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC and Guinness Breweries PLC, where he led strategic transformations that strengthened the business and expanded market reach.

As a Chief Executive across multiple markets within the Diageo Group, Dr. Ndegwa consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to transform businesses and drive superior results. He is deeply passionate about customer-centric leadership, a principle that has guided his career, alongside his commitment to developing talent and driving execution with excellence.

Dr. Ndegwa also spent eight years at East African Breweries Limited (EABL)—a Diageo subsidiary based in Nairobi—where he held several senior executive roles, including Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Group Strategy Director, Sales Director, and Executive Director on the EABL Board. During his tenure, he was instrumental in doubling the company’s value, leading to EABL being named the Most Respected Business in East Africa for five consecutive years.

One of his most notable achievements at EABL was spearheading the affordable beer strategy, which led to the development of Senator Keg, one of Diageo’s most successful innovations. His ability to identify market opportunities and execute with precision continues to define his leadership style.

Dr. Ndegwa began his career at PwC, the global consulting firm, where he spent 11 years, honing his expertise in financial strategy and business transformation.

His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the values instilled during his early years, drawing inspiration from his teachers, parents, and the late Dr. Geoffrey Griffin, founder of Starehe Boys' Centre, his alma mater. These formative experiences shaped his unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and purpose-driven leadership.

Dilip, who joined Safaricom as the Chief Finance Officer in November 2020, has more than 29 years of experience in Finance, spanning various industries including Telecoms, Financial Services and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Engineering in international and multi-cultural environments. Dilip has a proven track record of building competent teams, improving performance, business turnaround, simplification, and digitization.

His Division is responsible for the overall financial planning, management, and oversight of the organization.

 Previously, he was the CFO with DTAC Thailand, a part of the Telenor Group, since 2017.  Prior DTAC he was the CFO of Grameenphone Bangladesh, a role that he held for three years.  Before Grameenphone, Dilip held various finance roles in Vodafone India in Mumbai, rising to the role of EVP Finance. He has also held senior finance roles in other organizations, namely Hutchinson Essar, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages and Tata Tinplate.

 Dilip has held Board positions in various institutions including Carousell, Singapore (leading online classified company of South Asia), Tele Assets, Thailand (DTAC subsidiary), Accenture Bangladesh (joint venture of Accenture and Telenor) Indus Tower (JV with Bharti Airtel and Idea) and Vodafone Essar Spacetel Ltd (Vodafone India subsidiary).

 Dilip has a Master’s in Commerce from Calcutta University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Goennka College of Commerce. He is a Chartered accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Cost Accountant from Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India.

Linda is a qualified advocate with over 19 years' experience, and is currently a Senior Legal Counsel at Safaricom PLC, where she provides legal and corporate governance support to Safaricom PLC, the M-PESA Foundation and Safaricom's investment vehicles into Ethiopia. Prior to joining Safaricom PLC, Linda worked at Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews as a commercial and litigation lawyer.

Linda is a Certified Public Secretary and holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the United States International University (USIU) and a Master of Laws Degree in Commercial Law from the University of Nairobi. She is a Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths. Linda is also a member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya, the Women on Boards Network and the Law Society of Kenya.

Shameel is the CEO of Vodacom Group since September 2012. He is a former CEO of Vodafone Spain. He was previously the Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa from March 2005 to March 2011 prior to taking up the position as CEO of Vodafone Spain. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of Vodacom Service Provider Company from September 2000 to February 2005, and Managing Director of Vodacom Equipment Company from 1998. Shameel served on the Vodacom Group Board from 2000 until March 2011, when he was seconded to Spain. He was re-appointed to the Vodacom Group Board in September 2012 after his return from Spain.

Ms Raisibe Morathi was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Vodacom group with effect from 1st November 2020. She joined Vodacom from the Nedbank Group where she had been the Group Chief Financial Officer since September 2009.

She has a cumulative 30 years’ experience in Financial Services and ICT sectors in various large corporates in South Africa, including Nedbank Group, Sanlam Group and the industrial Development Corporation. She serves on various Vodacom related Boards and has extensive experience in audit committees, having served both as a member and as the chairperson. Raisibe is also a sponsor of Vodacom’s Women’s Network Forum, demonstrating her commitment to the development of women and young people.

Raisibe Morathi is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and has also completed an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) with INSEAD (France). She also holds a Higher Diploma in Taxation (Wits University) and a Masters in Philosophy (Corporate Strategy) from GIBS University of Pretoria.

Ms Winnie Ouko was appointed Non-Executive Director on 10^th February 2021. She has over 25 years of professional finance, strategy and board level experience, serving corporates and non-profits in Africa, Europe and the US.

 She is the founder and CEO of Lattice Consulting (member of Larive International, nl), a Kenya-based boutique advisory firm committed to propelling its clients to growth via strategy and finance advisory and corporate training.

 Winnie’s career includes a stint as an Associate Director at Standard and Poor’s in New York, and PricewaterhouseCoopers in Nairobi.

 She sits on the Board of the Kenya Pooled Water Fund, has served on the board of Absa (Kenya), chairing the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee; and has been a Trustee for the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Switzerland (which oversees 70+ programs and country offices around the world), chairing the Audit and Risk Committee.

 She is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and is a leadership adviser with Adaptive Change Advisors, (NY). Winnie has an MBA from Cornell University (NY), a BComm from the University of Nairobi, and is a CPA (K).

Dr. Kandie is a finance specialist with over 20 years of strategic leadership and management experience in senior leadership positions in the financial services industry. She is currently the Director, Parastatal Reforms (Financial) at the National Treasury and Planning, where she leads Parastatal Reforms that are geared towards reducing fiscal pressures by making public spending more efficient and transparent.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University  of Nairobi, a Masters of Business Administration from Murdoch University in Western Australia and a Doctorate in Business Administration (Finance) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Dr Karen Kandie is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst. She is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Kenya) and the Institute of Investment and Financial Analysts of Kenya.

Murielle Lorilloux has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director in the Board, with effect from 23^rd August 2023.

Murielle is currently the Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer of Vodacom Group and a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to this, she worked for Vodafone Group in the United Kingdom as an Executive Business Director for Europe Cluster markets and Vodafone Business International from July 2021 to 31 March 2023.

She has previously also held the positions of CEO and President of the board of Vodafone Romania (2017-2021) and Managing Director of Vodacom DRC (2014-2017).

Prior to this, Murielle held various senior management roles with Orascom Telecom Algeria, Wana Corporate and Capgemini.

Murielle has over 25 years’ experience in General management, commercial (B2C & B2B), strategy and consulting experience in telecommunications across African and European markets.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics (Management and Marketing) from the Paris Nanterre University and a Masters’ Degree in Business Management and Strategy from the ESCP Business School. She also participated in the MBA exchange programme with the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. (Eng.) John Kipngetich Mosonik, CBS, EBS has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director in the Board, with effect from 23^rd August 2023.

Dr. (Eng.) Mosonik is an astute technocrat with executive experience in both public and private sector administration spanning 35 years. He has a rich career profile stretching across industries from Engineering practice in the Telecom sector to serving as a Principal Secretary in the State Department for Infrastructure and the Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining.

He holds a Doctoral Degree in Business Administration (DBA) - Strategic Leadership from Northcentral University (USA) and a PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from Moi University, Kenya. He also holds Postgraduate Degrees in Digital Transformation, Strategic Focus, Finance and Business Administration from renowned international universities; and Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering/Telecommunication from the University of Nairobi. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (FIEK) and a registered member of the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). 

Mr. Ludlow is currently the Group Reward and Policy Director-Human Resources at Vodafone Group Services Limited and is responsible for the strategic design, planning, management, and communication of the company's short term and long-term incentive reward plans. He also provides remuneration and governance advice to all Vodafone group entities.

Mr. Ludlow holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pure Mathematics from the University of Wales, Swansea and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales ACCA.

Mr. Okaro is an audit professional with over thirty (30) years’ experience in financial management, audit and strategic risk management. He previously worked with Ernst & Young for twenty six (26) years rising to the position of Director and subsequently Partner in Ernst & Young Africa Risk Services. Mr. Okaro holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Manchester Business School, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi.

He is a Fellow Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and a Member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

Jacques brings over 28 years of extensive experience in finance and business operations with a proved track record in driving business turnaround and transformation within the telecommunication sector across various African Markets. Jacques has held CFO positions in several Vodacom Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lesotho.

Jacques holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Accountancy from University of Pretoria.

Dr.Andualem has more than 27 years of rich experience and business acumen, serving in various sectors at leadership level and fosters experience in working at and in partnership with multinational companies.

Before joining Safaricom Ethiopia, Dr. Andualem led Ethio telecom as CEO, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Internal Auditor; CEO of a telecom company in South Sudan, Director General of the FDRE Education and Training Authority; and CEO and Founder of Funaton Consulting Group. He is also served as a University lecturer both in country and internationally.

Dr.Andualem holds a PhD in Business Administration, from Bulacan State University, MA in Education Leadership & Management and BSC in Business Education from Addis Ababa University, and Accounting Diploma from Kotebe Metropolitan University.

Miyashita, a Japanese national, has vast experience in telecommunication having worked for Sumitomo Corporation for over 30 years as the General Manager of the Smart Communication Platform Business Division. He also sits on the board of multiple telecom companies in various countries such as Myanmar, Guam (USA), Uzbekistan, Russia, China and Japan to supervise management and strategy.

Aatif is a seasoned telecom leader with over 24 years of experience driving transformative initiatives in telecom operations across MEA, APAC, and Africa regions. His strategic vision and operational expertise have helped shape telecom operations in dynamic and competitive markets. Aatif has held senior leadership roles, including SVP of IT Strategy at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and more recently as Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) at Vodafone Ghana, where he was responsible for their Mobile Network (2G, 3G, and 4G), Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Fiber to the Business (FTTB) networks, EBU and Vodafone Cash .

Aatif is passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to drive innovation and operational excellence in telecom networks. He has a proven track record in strategic cost management and budget optimization, ensuring sustainable growth while navigating complex business landscapes. His leadership has been pivotal in shaping telecom infrastructure to meet the demands of the future.

Aatif holds a BSc in Telecom and Wireless Engineering from NUST Pakistan, an MBA from Heriot-Watt University, UK, and a Post Graduate Certification in Negotiation from Harvard Law School. He is also PMP, TOGAF, and ITIL certified, bringing a unique blend of technological, financial, and strategic acumen to every initiative.

Getachew has an aggregate of more than 15 years of experience predominantly in corporate legal practice but also in legal research and teaching. He spent a good part of his professional life at Ethiopian Airlines where he served in different capacities and was responsible for successful negotiation and closing of various award-winning aircraft purchase, financing, leasing, and trading deals. He was also the principal negotiator for the equity investment and management contracts of the Airline in different parts of Africa as well as infrastructure projects and project financing projects of the Airline.

Getachew holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from Jimma University and Addis Ababa University respectively.

Amit has over 24 years of experience in managing marketing, sales, and customer experience verticals. He has a proven record in leading large and diverse multi-cultural teams across different geographies to drive business results and deliver profits in intense competitive multi-player environments. He has worked across various sectors including Telecommunications and FMCG having worked with Airtel Tanzania, Weetabix EA Ltd, Yu Mobile Kenya, Airtel Uganda, Warid Uganda, and Airtel India.

Amit holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Degree from Punjab Engineering College, India, and Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA Sales & Marketing) from the Indian Institute of Management, India

David Umoh is a seasoned telecommunications executive with over 20 years of diverse industry experience, including senior leadership roles. He has a comprehensive background that spans technology, innovation, sales, and product development. David is recognized for his proven ability to drive revenue growth, market penetration, and business development across various sectors, including Mobile Financial Services and Customer Experience. His core competencies encompass innovation in product development, revenue planning, customer value management, and strategic business modeling. David holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and the University of Uyo.

He has successfully led teams at prominent companies like Telecel Ghana, Millicom (Tigo) Tanzania, and is currently serving as the Chief Consumer Business Unit Officer at Safaricom. In these roles, he has implemented key initiatives that significantly improved operational efficiency and market position. His expertise in brand management and communications, combined with his analytical skills, has enabled him to develop effective strategies that enhance customer engagement and drive profitability. Throughout his career, David has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a customer-centric culture and promoting innovation within his teams. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, allowing him to build high-performing teams that consistently exceed business objectives. By leveraging his extensive experience and insights, he continues to shape the future of telecommunications, ensuring that customer needs are at the forefront of strategic decision-making.

Ken is responsible for leading the mission for the Risk and Compliance team. He joined Safaricom Ethiopia from Safaricom PLC, where he was the Head of Enterprise Risk. He is a seasoned leader with more than 18 years’ experience in Risk Management, Compliance, Cyber Security, Insurance, Business Continuity and Crisis Management. Ken joined Safaricom in 2009 as a Senior Business Continuity Officer and grew through the ranks, serving as a Principal Business Continuity Officer and then Senior Business Continuity Manager. For five years,

Ken served as the Head of the Enterprise Risk Department. He has been instrumental in establishing a solid Enterprise Risk Framework, Projects and Business Assurance, Crisis

Management, Business Continuity, and ISO Standards for Safaricom PLC and its subsidiaries. Ken has also been deeply involved in Safaricom’s journey, as he was part of the core team that successfully won the bid for the Safaricom Ethiopia License and has continued to support the team in various areas, including the sourcing of MIGA Guarantee. He holds a Degree in Statistics and Economics, an Executive Certification in Crisis Management from MIT Sloan School as well as other leadership and industry certifications. Ken is also an MBCI Certified Enterprise Risk Manager, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Risk Management.

Bringing over 18 years of experience in leading people agendas across various organizations and sectors, Tsedale has a strong focus on building a culture that fosters collaboration. She excels in leading change management initiatives, improving ways of working, and creating an environment where everyone contributes to the bigger picture.

Tsedale oversees the Human Resources function, providing strategic leadership in aligning business objectives with people and organizational plans. As a member of the senior leadership team, she will play a key role in advancing our people agenda, supporting our core pillars and Securing Talent for a Future Fit Organization.

Arjun has over 20 years work experience of which 19 have been in the Telecommunications sector across different markets in Asia and Africa. In Africa, he served in Yu Mobile Kenya and Safaricom Kenya. Prior to joining Safaricom Ethiopia, Arjun worked in Vodacom Tanzania, where he served as the Director – Vodacom Business for 6 years and was a member of the Company’s Leadership Team. Arjun is a seasoned professional in Commercial Strategy, Sales and Business Development, Brand and Building Strategic Alliances.

He is a dynamic change agent skilled in building business units and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) Degree from Punjab University Chandigarh, India.

Ismail Kumbul brings over 21 years of extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, currently serving as the Chief Capex Program Management Officer at Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC. In this key role, Ismail is responsible for the strategic planning, budgeting, and execution of capital expenditures, ensuring that projects align with Safaricom's mission to enhance connectivity and empower local communities.

Ismail was the head of department for network deployment at Safaricom Ethiopia prior to his current position. He also successfully launched other new telecom operations through large-scale greenfield projects across diverse regions, including the CIS, APAC, and Africa. His impactful contributions have been felt in countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Myanmar.

Ismail holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul. He is also a PMP-certified professional, recognized for delivering high-impact projects and managing complex operations with precision. His strategic insights have played a crucial role in transforming emerging markets into robust telecom ecosystems.