Safaricom - 2021 Sustainable Business Report

41 SAFARICOM SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS REPORT 2021 / STANDING TOGETHER: GOING BEYOND //// OUR MATERIAL TOPICS / OUR STAKEHOLDERS / KPI SUMMARY GOING BEYOND TO CONNECT THE UNCONNECTED Our approach to regulation has been to incorporate the aims of our priority SDGs into our engagement and advocacy positions. In FY21, we expressed our interest in participating in phase 2 of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Project that aims to expand connectivity to the 17 marginalised and underserved counties in Kenya. A total of 16 firms participated in a competitive tendering process valued at KSh 1.57 billion. The section of the tender we were awarded by the CA involves the provision of the active mobile infrastructure and services covering 57 sub-locations and aggregated into 22 lots. In partnership with other operators, we are moving forward to roll out telecommunications cellular mobile network infrastructure and services in 101 sub-locations across the country. The awarding of the tenders has paved the way for implementation of Phase 2 of the Voice Infrastructure and Services Project that will spur increased mobile voice and broadband connectivity, opening up new possibilities to citizens in the beneficiary areas. FUTURE FOCUS • Create awareness of 5G and its benefits to eradicate the existing conspiracy theories and linkage to COVID-19. • Continue to provide feedback on the proposed Central Bank Act Amendment Bill which seeks to extend the Central Bank of Kenya’s mandate to regulate digital borrowing platforms. As at year end, this Bill was still before Parliament.