Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK)’s Post

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝟗𝟖𝟑 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟒 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 As Safaricom PLC celebrates its 24th anniversary, the company has released its 13th annual Sustainability Report, revealing a significant KES 983 billion contribution to the Kenyan economy in the 2023/2024 financial year. This figure represents 6.6% of the country's GDP, underscoring Safaricom's role as a key driver of economic growth and development. The report, titled "𝙰𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙳𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝙸𝚗𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗," highlights Safaricom's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance lives and livelihoods across Kenya. Key achievements include: ▶ 𝙹𝚘𝚋 𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: Safaricom and its subsidiaries directly employed 7,346 people, with an additional 1.2 million jobs supported through the company's operations and value chain. ▶ 𝚂𝙼𝙴 𝚂𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝: The company spent KES 4.1 billion on payments to M-PESA agents and KES 2.3 billion on other suppliers, fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. ▶ 𝚂𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝙸𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜: Safaricom invested KES 434 million in various social impact initiatives, including education, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation projects. ▶ 𝚃𝚊𝚡 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚋𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜: The company paid KES 144.5 billion in taxes and duties, making it one of the largest taxpayers in East Africa. Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa C.B.S emphasized the company's commitment to sustainable growth, stating, "Our success is intertwined with the success of the communities we serve. We remain dedicated to using our technology and resources to drive positive change and create shared value for all our stakeholders." As Safaricom enters its 25th year of operations, the company has reaffirmed its mission to become a purpose-led technology company, focusing on digital and financial inclusion initiatives to support Kenya's socio-economic development goals. #SafaricomImpact #KenyanEconomy #DigitalInclusion #SustainableDevelopment #TechForGood

This year, we’re proud to collaborate with the 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮, the 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀, global, regional and national key industry leaders and organizations committed to driving sustainability, innovation, and resilience in our built environment. Their support is vital in our mission and vision of positively transforming Kenya with sustainability in mind. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: -Gatsby Africa -IFC - International Finance Corporation -State Department for Public Works -The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) -Kenya Bankers Association -Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews -Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) -Daikin -East Africa Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) -BasiGo -Ardhi Na Mbao -Arumloo (Pty) Ltd -Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) -East African Business Council (EABC) -Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) -Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) -Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK Kenya) -Women In Real Estate Society(WIRE) -Construction and Real Estate Students Association (CRESA) -Swahilipot Hub Foundation -KEPRO Kenya Together, we're paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future! Join us as we tackle the most pressing challenges in housing, finance, and urban development through impactful discussions, strategic partnerships, and actionable outcomes. Register here : https://t.ly/XHkgg #KGBS2024 #GreenBuilding #SustainableCities #COP28 #UrbanDevelopment #ClimateAction #Innovation #Resilience #Partnerships

Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships for Nairobi’s Growth On 6th December 2024, the KNCCI Nairobi Chapter participated in a Public-Private Sector Dialogue with the Nairobi County Government at the United Kenya Club. The dialogue, graced by County officials Dr. Anastasia Nyalita (CECM), George Mutiso (Chief Officer, Cooperatives), and Sarah Raggah (Assistant Director, Trade and Industry), focused on actionable solutions to drive business growth, inclusivity, and investment. Key Outcomes: • Quarterly engagements with the county. • A streamlined communication platform for transparency. • Prioritized youth empowerment and local industry support. • Commitment to PWD inclusivity in business. • Development of key policies, including an investment policy. KNCCI Nairobi Chapter representatives, including Board Directors Vice Chair Ronald Meru, Susan Kagundu, Alice Mungai, Rafael Waweru, and Robert Kanyua, pledged to work with the County Government to implement these initiatives, fostering sustainable growth and innovation in Nairobi’s economy.

Join us this September as we partner with our friends at the Kenya Green Building Society for their Annual Conference 2024 during which we expect to discuss among other topical issues the opportunities for property developers to contribute to sustainable waste management practices! #GreenBuilding #SWM #CircularEconomy

The European Union underscores digitalization as a top priority. Within the Digital4Tanzania initiative, crucial focuses involve bolstering digital governance via robust policy frameworks, safeguarding data, enhancing connectivity, fostering skill development and entrepreneurship, facilitating financial access, and driving the adoption of e-services across public and private sectors. Barbara Barone, Programme Officer for Digitalization and STI at the European Union Delegation to Tanzania, highlights these pillars for advancing digital transformation. UNDP Tanzania costech UNICEF Tanzania United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) UN Women Enabel Serengeti Bytes Funguo Tanzania European Union UK in Tanzania Stanbic Bank Tanzania Vodacom Tanzania Plc #InnovationWeekTanzania #IWTz2024 #Innovation #InnovationTanzania #InnovationForCompetititveEconomy #DigitalTransformation #GreenEconomy #HumanCapitalDevelopment #FinancialInclusion #BlueEconomy #Tourism

We just launched a new call for proposals for scaling up digital innovation initiatives for non-profits and public sector actors in our partner countries. Check out the link below! #innovation#Wehubit#environment#TeamEurope

The #AfricaEvidenceWeek2024 celebrations are underway! As part of #AfEW2024, listen to Moses Oyagi, PhD, the Evaluation Society of Kenya (ESK) chair in Kenya, Benjamin Masila, the Evaluation Society of Kenya (ESK) secretary in Kenya and Jennifer Mutua, MA, the Evaluation Society of Kenya (ESK) founder, talking about their professionalisation journey in Kenya: https://lnkd.in/dYNTnJaV. Globally, the times are historical, complex and uncertain. Characterised by unprecedented and under-harnessed opportunities as well as socio-economic/political challenges across Africa. A majority of the citizenry is groaning in utter despair and yearning for transformative change for sheer survival. Escalating unemployment and poverty levels, exacerbated by heavy debt burdens, effects of climate change and run-away corruption, are among the pressing issues. In Kenya, e.g., these have slowed down the realisation of the government’s “Bottom’s-Up Transformational Agenda”, which is aligned with Vision 2030 and SDGs. Resultantly, there is growing pressure on the government and other developmental stakeholders, especially by the youth, for the adoption of not business as usual approaches to alleviate the suffering. Against this backdrop, an increased uptake of the digital revolution and the under-utilized potential of M&E are some of the potentially game-changing opportunities in improving service delivery and developmental outcomes/impacts. To this end, the video traces ESK’s journey of largely voluntary operations towards earning national credibility, sustainability and professional contributions to a more enabling environment for harnessing the M&E potential. Key highlights are its progressive strengthening of governance & capacities, strategic alliance-building, challenges and way forward, in spearheading Kenya’s M&E professionalization journey, whose formal launch was in 2022, with wide stakeholder support.

🌍 Celebrating CSR Excellence in Cambodia! 🏆 The American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia Association (AmCham)’s 6th Annual CSR Excellence Awards honored companies making a real impact on society, education, and sustainability. From financial literacy 📊 to demining efforts, these businesses are stepping up for Cambodia’s future! Here are the TOP 5 highlights: 🔹 1️⃣ Companies Making a Difference Manulife Cambodia, HEINEKEN Cambodia, Smart Axiata, Wing and ABA Bank led the way in social impact, education, and financial literacy, proving that CSR is more than just a commitment—it’s a responsibility. 🔹 2️⃣ AmCham’s CSR Vision AmCham Vice President Anthony Galliano highlighted CSR as essential for solving global challenges, outlining that through compassion, generosity, and selflessness, we heal, rebuild, and create a better future. 🔹 3️⃣ U.S. Embassy Recognizes Impact Bridgette L. Walker, Deputy Chief of Mission, praised businesses for their positive contributions to Cambodia, reinforcing the strong U.S.-Cambodia partnership in corporate social responsibility. 🔹 4️⃣ Beyond Business: Supporting Cambodia AmCham’s efforts included $10,000 for demining in Prey Veng, helping make it Cambodia’s second mine-free province, and $50,000 raised for Khmer cultural artifact repatriation. 🔹 5️⃣ Judging Cambodia’s Best CSR Initiatives A panel of experts—Bill Monroe (Retired Diplomat), Jamie Wu (U.S. Embassy), and Dr. Kenneth Paul Charman (CamEd Business School)—evaluated the winners based on their real-world social and environmental impact. #CSR #Cambodia #Leadership #Impact #Sustainability

Very exciting times ahead! I recently paid a visit to H.E Claver GATETE, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (#UNECA) in the Capital Addis Ababa. UNECA has been and continues to be a special partner of Lesotho. Among issues, our conversation touched on Lesotho’s current engagement in a mega water project of #Polihali Dam in the #Mokhotlong district, under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (#LHWP); a venture funded by both the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa, as well as other development partners.   The Kingdom of Lesotho would welcome support in her industrialization agenda; capacity building of Basotho in sectors that include Energy, Trade, Climate Change, Environment and Agriculture. Lesotho also appreciates the proactive approach of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in supporting the Kingdom in different areas of development needs. The support Lesotho has received from the ECA includes; i. The UNECA mission to Lesotho on Digital Upskilling for women and girls in Africa and African Gender and Development Index (AGDI); ii. Measurement of the gross domestic product of the Maseru City; iii. Inter-regional Cooperation to implement the new urban agenda; iv. Support for voluntary national reviews and the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development;

Attended today our regular Development Partners Private Sector Group meeting in Kenya in WB, where the Principal Secretary for Trade, Alfred Ombudo K'Ombudo our guest for today, led a dynamic and engaging discussion on aligning efforts for greater impact. The message was clear: when development partners and government priorities converge, we unlock real opportunities for growth. Let’s be honest—there have been instances where development agencies advance their own agendas, sometimes at odds with national priorities. Collaboration with the Government presents a unique opportunity to streamline our efforts and create real synergies—leveraging our collective strengths instead of working in silos. Other countries could greatly benefit from establishing such working groups. I was particularly pleased to hear the PS highlight the work ITC is delivering in Kenya, especially in advancing key value chains like coffee, tea, and horticulture. We’re not just staying in sync with national goals to tick boxes—by doing so, we’re driving innovation and delivering results that truly matter. Collaboration isn’t just an option; it’s the catalyst for sustainable progress. ITC looks forward to the next steps in that journey, together. #KoiCA #EU #JICA #AFD #unido #worldbank #Kenya #thisweekatitc