Top 25 Corporations Demonstrating Best Practices in ESG 2024

Airtel Kenya's unwavering commitment to ESG practices shapes a connected, diverse, and sustainable future, fostering positive change nationwide.

#21

AIRTEL KENYA

Airtel Kenya, a subsidiary of Airtel Africa, is one of Kenya’s leading telcos, offering a seamless integration of services to its subscribers. Since its inception in November 2010, Airtel Kenya has been tirelessly working to bring affordable and efficient communication solutions to the Kenyan populace. Its comprehensive suite of offerings encompasses mobile voice and data services, along with the convenience of mobile money services, catering to diverse needs.

 At the core of Airtel Kenya’s remarkable expansion strategy lies not only its commitment to providing seamless telecommunications services but also its strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment. This commitment serves as the driving force behind its capacity to connect more people across Kenya.

Airtel Kenya expresses its dedication to ESG practices through four sustainability pillars. These include: ‘Our business’, which not only leads to the expansion of its network and operations but also fosters an environment where connectivity becomes a tool for positive change; ‘Our people’, which signifies more than just employee engagement; it embodies a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the rich tapestry of the communities they serve; ‘Our community’ which involves initiatives particularly in improving access to education, create a ripple effect of empowerment and enlightenment, ultimately fostering stronger, more connected societies; and ‘Our environment’ which underlines Airtel Kenya’s conscientious efforts in reducing its environmental impact, ensuring that its growth does not come at the cost of the planet.

Airtel customer care personnel attend to clients during the customer service week.

In line with its commitment to the ‘Our People’ pillar, Airtel Kenya stands as a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion within the workplace, embodying the ethos of being an equal opportunity employer. Its dedication to fostering a diverse workforce is an integral part of its identity and business approach, resonating deeply with its core values of being alive, inclusive, and respectful. Recognising the profound impact of diversity on customer value, Airtel Kenya actively cultivates an inclusive environment that celebrates differences, allowing employees to thrive authentically and reach their full potential. The telco implements a range of practices and policies designed to empower its workforce, including initiatives like global mobility, enabling employees to gain valuable international experience and perspectives. Its strategic talent acquisition efforts focus on attracting diverse talents, ensuring a rich tapestry of skills and backgrounds. Moreover, Airtel Kenya invests significantly in focused learning and development programs, equipping employees with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles.

Through the lens of the ‘Airtel Spirit’, Airtel Kenya demonstrates a profound dedication to empowering and unlocking the potential of future generations within its community. One such example lies in the transformative Airtel FREE Internet for Schools program, a flagship initiative that provides free internet access to students in schools across the nation. This program stands as a beacon of progress, touching lives both academically and socially, resonating deeply within communities throughout Kenya. Granting hundreds of thousands of students the invaluable freedom to connect with the vast world of information enhances learning experiences and paves the way for a future brimming with possibilities.

Airtel-UNICEF partnership convention in Nairobi, brought together Airtel PR CSR representatives from 13 Airtel markets to help deliver access to quality education to Africa’s children and accelerate digital learning.

Since its inception, the Airtel Free Internet for Schools program has connected over 350 schools and institutions in 36 counties, impacting over 250,000 students. Looking forward, Airtel Kenya’s vision remains ambitious: to connect at least 1 million students nationwide. Additionally, Airtel Kenya contributes to the communities it serves through employee volunteerism, bolstering the health sector, and championing environmental conservation through various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to a holistic and sustainable community development approach.

Towards ‘Our Environment’, Airtel Kenya has been actively transitioning its network infrastructure to run on clean energy, minimising its reliance on non-renewable resources, thereby decreasing its environmental impact. This comes as a result of the ‘Project Green’ initiative launched in 2022, which focuses on circular economy initiatives and creating a culture in which the workforce is sensitised to the sustainability of all its activities. Additionally, the telco engages in extensive tree planting campaigns to combat deforestation and promote biodiversity.  Furthermore, Airtel Kenya emphasises electronic billing and digital communication, reducing paper usage and promoting a more sustainable business model. Environmental protection is embedded at the heart of Airtel Kenya’s business.

Under the umbrella of Airtel Africa, Airtel Kenya stands resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards as it expands its network and operations. The parent company’s dedication to integrity and ethics permeates every facet of Airtel Kenya’s operations, ensuring that all businesses and employees adhere to the most stringent standards of conduct. Airtel Kenya’s adherence to the comprehensive Code of Conduct, applicable to employees at all levels, suppliers, partners, and collaborators, underpins its ethical framework. This framework is fortified by policies addressing critical areas such as anti-bribery and corruption, whistleblowing, and general data protection regulation (GDPR).

By imparting up-to-date training on legislative and regulatory matters annually, Airtel Kenya ensures that its employees are well-versed in the ethical landscape, fostering a culture of compliance and integrity. As a telco, compliance serves as a cornerstone for generating more business, enabling Airtel to further its mission of using connectivity as a catalyst for positive change within the communities it serves.

Airtel Kenya’s unwavering commitment to ESG practices shapes a connected, diverse, and sustainable future, fostering positive change nationwide.

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Dr. Hanningtone Gaya

Dr. Hanningtone Gaya

Kenya’s Dr Hanningtone Gaya, holds a PhD in Commerce in Business Management from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), is viewed as an authority in country branding and is the founder chairman of the Brand Kenya Board.

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