Table of Contents
Safaricom, East Africa’s largest telecom operator, led by Kenyan tycoon Peter Ndegwa, has disclosed that it invested $777.6 million in local suppliers during the year ending March 2025, reinforcing its position as a key supporter of Kenyan enterprises and employment growth.
The spending, detailed in Safaricom’s 2025 Sustainable Business Report, comes after the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm wraps up its five-year transformation strategy, becoming the first company in the region to cross the $3 billion revenue threshold.
Safaricom expands local investment under NdegwaOut of a total spend of Ksh137.84 billion ($1.07 billion), Safaricom spent Ksh100.5 billion ($777.63 million) in Kenya. The company’s activities, from infrastructure projects to its M-PESA agent network, are estimated to have supported more than 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs across the country.
Under Ndegwa’s watch, Safaricom has built environmental, social and governance standards into its operations, aligning its supply chain with Kenya’s development agenda.
In the past year, the company spent Ksh3.2 billion ($24.77 million), or about 11 percent of its procurement budget, with businesses owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities. “Our commitment to responsible business is anchored in sustainability and inclusion,” Ndegwa said. “We want our growth to benefit the communities that make our business possible.”
Local sourcing as a driver of resilience
Safaricom’s Director of Sustainable Business and Social Impact, Karen Basiye, said that the local sourcing push goes beyond meeting targets. “Buying locally is not just a procurement decision; it’s an investment in Kenya’s capacity to innovate and build economic independence,” she said.
Safaricom aims to cut reliance on imports, strengthen small and medium-sized businesses, and encourage innovation in manufacturing and technology by backing local suppliers. It has also added more financing programs linked to sustainability to help green infrastructure and digital inclusion projects that help communities that don't get enough help.
Safaricom's growing role in Kenya's digital economy
Safaricom, founded in 1993 and based in Nairobi, is now a leading provider of mobile connectivity, cloud services, and financial technology through its M-PESA platform, which is used by millions of people.
Under the leadership of CEO Peter Ndegwa—who owns a 0.016 percent stake in the company, equivalent to 6.2 million shares—Safaricom is navigating a fast-changing telecom landscape with renewed strategic focus.
With more than 48 million customers, Safaricom remains one of Kenya’s biggest private-sector players, contributing an estimated 5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product through its telecom, data and mobile-money services.
