Kenya’s President William Ruto has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), ushering in a new era of leadership centered on digital transformation and technological innovation. Speaking during the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit held in Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized his vision to shift Africa from being a technology consumer to a global innovation powerhouse capable of shaping its own economic destiny.

In his inaugural address at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, President Ruto highlighted that Africa’s digital transition must become the driving force of regional growth and inclusivity. He reaffirmed Kenya’s position as a leading innovation hub, pledging that his tenure will focus on accelerating regional digitalisation to unlock Africa’s economic potential through strategic technological investments and policy harmonisation.

Guided by the summit’s theme, “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” Ruto urged member states to harness digital tools to enhance productivity, empower citizens, and integrate economies. His priorities will include digitalising trade facilitation, improving transport corridors, developing regional data centres, and strengthening cloud infrastructure across the continent. He further stated that Africa’s “digital superhighway must reach every village, connect every farmer, empower every entrepreneur, and link landlocked nations to global trade arteries.”

The summit also marked the official launch of the COMESA Digital Retail Payment Platform — a groundbreaking innovation designed to enable instant, affordable, and inclusive cross-border payments across 21 member states. The platform supports transactions in local currencies, reducing dependency on foreign exchange and promoting financial inclusion, particularly for small and medium enterprises, women, and youth. This milestone aligns with Ruto’s broader vision of building a digitally connected and globally competitive Africa.

In his closing remarks, President Ruto called for harmonised digital policies across COMESA states to eliminate fragmentation and foster a more integrated digital economy. He underscored the need for common standards on e-commerce, cross-border payments, data protection, and cybersecurity, describing them as the pillars of Africa’s future trade framework. His leadership marks a significant moment for the region, setting the stage for an Africa that not only participates in the global digital economy but defines it.

Safaricom PLC has reaffirmed its impact as Kenya’s largest technology company, announcing a total “True Value” contribution of KSh 1.1 trillion ($8.3 billion) to the economy and society in the year ending March. This milestone, highlighted in its 14th Sustainable Business Report themed “Anchored on Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” reflects the company’s growing influence in expanding digital access, financial inclusion, and sustainable development across East Africa. The report revealed that Safaricom’s operations directly added KSh 809 billion to Kenya’s GDP, underscoring its central role in national economic progress.

The company’s digital transformation continues to gain momentum, with smartphone usage on its network rising to 27.37 million, up from 22.93 million the previous year. This represents 50% of its customer base, driven by initiatives such as the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo installment plan that has made smartphones more affordable for millions. As digital penetration deepens, mobile data revenue surged by 15.2%, supported by AI-driven personalization and higher data consumption per user. These gains highlight Safaricom’s evolving role as a purpose-led technology company that blends connectivity, innovation, and inclusion.

M-PESA, the company’s flagship mobile money service, remains a cornerstone of its social and economic impact. Through Digifarm, Safaricom disbursed KSh 945 million in smallholder farm loans, with women accounting for 36% of borrowers. The platform continues to bridge access to credit and empower rural communities, demonstrating how technology can drive inclusive economic growth. Environmental initiatives also featured prominently in the report — Safaricom planted 830,000 trees, restored 694 hectares across eight counties, fenced 15 kilometers of Kakamega Forest, and recycled 99% of its waste, including 190 tons of e-waste. Cumulatively, the company has grown 2.3 million trees toward a 2030 target of 5 million.

Safaricom’s governance and technology initiatives further reflect its commitment to transparency and responsible innovation. The company achieved ISO 27701 certification for privacy management and leveraged artificial intelligence to reduce fraud by 87%. Its anti-money-laundering systems also identified poaching-related transactions that led to 14 arrests, demonstrating how technology can be a force for public good. Through these initiatives, Safaricom continues to build trust and accountability while promoting a safer digital ecosystem.

As Safaricom expands into Ethiopia — a market of 120 million people — it carries forward its purpose-driven mission of transforming lives through technology. With 43 million subscribers in Kenya, the company remains a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and social impact in Africa’s telecommunications sector. Its commitment to balancing profit with purpose sets a powerful precedent for how businesses can create long-term value for people, the planet, and the economy.

Old Mutual has introduced a new digital wellness platform, Thrive, designed to address Kenya’s rising burnout and lifestyle health crisis. The initiative comes at a time when stress-related conditions are increasingly impacting both individuals and the economy. According to recent data, workplace burnout costs Kenya over KSh 50 billion annually in lost productivity, while mental health challenges contribute an additional KSh 62.2 billion — nearly 0.6% of the nation’s GDP. Thrive seeks to provide a structured and holistic solution by integrating key dimensions of well-being into one accessible platform.

The platform brings together physical, mental, nutritional, and financial wellness tools under a single digital ecosystem. Through features such as spending trackers, guided breathing exercises, food diaries, and mindfulness journaling, users can take control of their day-to-day health and finances. This integrated approach reflects Old Mutual’s belief that true wellness extends beyond healthcare — it requires balance between mental resilience, financial stability, and healthy living.

Old Mutual Group CEO Arthur Oginga emphasized that Thrive is not just another wellness app but a movement toward redefining how people approach everyday health and resilience. “Our vision is to empower individuals to take small steps that build into lasting change, helping not only themselves but also their families, workplaces, and communities to thrive,” he stated. The app is built to make wellness measurable, meaningful, and achievable for the modern Kenyan workforce.

The launch of Thrive also underscores Old Mutual’s growing role in preventive wellness technology. By addressing mental health, lifestyle diseases, and financial well-being simultaneously, the company aims to combat the underlying causes of burnout and low productivity. This initiative reflects a broader shift within Kenya’s corporate sector — where financial institutions are stepping up to lead conversations about holistic well-being, resilience, and sustainable performance.

Available for download on both Android and iOS, Thrive represents a key milestone in Old Mutual’s digital transformation strategy in East Africa. It signals the company’s long-term commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative tools that enhance health, performance, and financial confidence. In a fast-paced world where stress and imbalance have become the norm, Old Mutual’s Thrive stands out as a timely reminder that wellness is not a luxury — it’s an essential part of sustainable success.

When Safaricom released its first Sustainable Business Report in 2012, the corporate landscape in Kenya was largely driven by profit margins and market competition. Fourteen years later, that early step has evolved into a comprehensive sustainability framework that defines how a business can grow while measuring its social and environmental impact. The company’s 2025 report, themed “Anchored on Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” highlights a monumental True Value of KSh 1.1 trillion — sixteen times its financial profit — reflecting a redefinition of success beyond financial gain.

Over the years, Safaricom’s sustainability journey has transformed from compliance to conviction. What began as an effort to meet global reporting benchmarks has become a moral and strategic compass that influences every aspect of the business. Through its “True Value” model, the company has learned to quantify both the positive and negative effects of its operations, asking deeper questions about who benefits, who is left behind, and how technology can bridge existing social and economic divides. This shift has led to measurable results — from achieving a 99 percent recycling rate and collecting 190 tons of e-waste, to planting over 830,000 trees and engaging 4,000 community members across eight counties.

The company’s sustainability commitment extends to its people and governance structures. Nearly half of Safaricom’s leadership team comprises women, and more than 3 percent of its workforce are persons with disabilities. Accessibility is now a built-in component of every new product, reflecting a shift from reactive inclusion to proactive design. Safaricom has also aligned its reporting with nine Sustainable Development Goals, adopted international standards like the Global Reporting Initiative, and secured ISO certification for privacy management — a testament to its emphasis on data protection and transparency.

At the heart of this transformation lies the belief that technology can serve as social infrastructure. Through platforms like M-PESA and Digifarm, Safaricom continues to connect people to opportunity and financial empowerment. In the past year alone, Digifarm disbursed KSh 945 million in microloans, one-third of which went to women farmers, while the Spark Fund Accelerator supported nine startups focused on community-driven innovation. As the company expands into Ethiopia, it carries with it not just digital connectivity but a philosophy of responsible and inclusive growth that continues to shape regional corporate ethics.

Safaricom’s evolution in sustainability reporting has inspired a cultural shift across Kenya’s boardrooms, redefining what it means to lead in business. Each annual report has become a public measure of integrity, demonstrating that accountability, not advertising, drives long-term credibility. As the company marks twenty-five years of operation, its focus now turns to deepening impact — ensuring that the trillion-shilling value it creates translates into equitable opportunities for all. Through consistency, humility, and proof, Safaricom continues to set the standard for purpose-driven enterprise in Africa’s digital economy.