Safaricom 2023 Sustainable Business Report

13 OUR STAKEHOLDERS KPI SUMMARY OUR MATERIAL TOPICS OUR BUSINESS PATHWAY TO A PURPOSE-LED TECHNOLOGY COMPANY PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT Safaricom has successfully positioned itself as a partner of choice for Government. We have partnered with both the national and county governments to deploy solutions that benefit the public and contribute to societal progress. One such example is the Hustler Fund, a loan initiative targeted at micro, small, and medium-size enterprises as well as individuals wanting to start up their own ventures. Over KSh 24 billion had been disbursed to over 15 million Kenyans as at end of March 2023. Another example is the national fertiliser e-subsidy programme aimed at addressing the challenge of food insecurity by helping farmers access fertiliser at lower prices. Farmers receive vouchers on their phones to redeem for subsidised fertiliser. We have also partnered in the digitisation of more than 6 000 Government services through eCitizen. In addition, through the myCounty app, we are working with county governments to digitise their services and offerings that is aimed at increasing visibility on revenue collection, easing methods of payment, as well as making it possible for citizens to give feedback to their Governors. TRANSFORMING LIVES We have been proactive in collaborating with both national and county governments to implement solutions in healthcare, education, and economic empowerment, fostering public welfare and advancing societal development. In terms of our impact, we have positively transformed over six million lives, primarily focusing on the economic empowerment of youth, integrated conservation, livelihood, and water programs. PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY We remain committed to environmental sustainability and to undertaking several key projects aimed at furthering the interests of people and the planet. This is highlighted by the upgrade of 23% of our Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites to solar and our drive to eliminate the use of diesel in the medium term. To date, we have grown 1.3 million trees, thereby impacting 12 000 direct and indirect livelihoods and restoring 1 300 hectares of degraded land. Our target is to grow five million trees by 2025 to offset 26% of our carbon emissions. Given our focus on decarbonisation, it was gratifying to see states at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Egypt agree to the establishment of a loss and damage fund to support countries vulnerable to climate change. ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION Financial inclusion in Kenya is currently at 84% with M-PESA directly impacting 32.1 million lives and over three million businesses. To further enhance financial inclusion, we are innovating beyond payments and consumer credit. During this period, we worked across the industry to introduce merchant interoperability and launched a national QR code which eases payments. We also introduced the merchant credit proposition in partnership with the KCB Group. The facility will provide access to affordable credit especially for small and micro businesses that have previously been excluded. M-PESA Go, for children and the Global Pay virtual card are some of the latest offerings that support our customers’ digital lifestyles. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION As part of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, our senior leadership now comprises 40% women, while the percentage of women on our Board currently stands at 45%. In a further effort to drive inclusion, persons with disabilities (PwDs) make up 3% of our workforce, which is within our target of 5% by 2025. In addition 5.1% of our procurement spend is with local marginalised groups including women, youth and PwDs. “Our target is to grow five million trees by 2025 to offset 26% of our carbon emissions.” “M-PESA directly impacts 32.1 million lives and over three million business.”