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Safaricom becomes the first local IT company to adopt the UN-SDGS
Safaricom has become the first IT local company to adopt the United Nations fronted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This follows…
Safaricom has become the first IT local company to adopt the United Nations fronted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
This follows Safaricom’s successful integration of a customised shared prosperity and responsible business initiative across the firm.
Speaking at the national launch of SDGs in Kenya presided over by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri at the Kasarani stadium, Safaricom’s CEO Mr. Bob Collymore said that Safaricom had pledged support for the Goals, committing to deliver connectivity and innovative products while minimising its environmental impact.
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The first Sustainable Development Goals Report, which was launched recently by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, noted that 13 per cent of the world population still live in extreme poverty, 800 million people are suffering from hunger and 2.4 billion live without good sanitation.
The firm has also pledged to play a corporate mentorship role, sharing best practice and guiding other local and continental firms wishing to adopt the SDG’s in their business operations.
“At Safaricom we have rearticulated the SDGs to serve our mission of Transforming Lives. As part of our corporate social responsibility we are also stepping out to encourage other local companies to join us in this effort as part of our quest to promote a shared prosperity culture,” said Mr. Collymore.
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The private sector has a key role to play in the attaintment of Social Development Goals by integrating targets in their business models to help governments build better societies.
“You will all agree with me that businesses cannot be successful when the society around us fails,” said Mr Collymore. “Societies now look at us as the driver of jobs, innovation and growth – all fundamental components that will define the progress towards SDGs.”
In April 2015, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon re-appointed Mr. Collymore to the United Nations Global Compact Board. This was in recognition of Safaricom’s commitment to environmental, sustainability and anti-corruption issues as well as the work it is undertaking to address maternal health and child mortality. Safaricom is currently one of the only African companies that regularly reports on Sustainability on an annual basis.