Vodacom Tanzania has released its 2024/2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report on Tuesday, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Philip Besiimire, managing director and CEO of Vodacom Tanzania, highlighted the telco’s 25-year history of bringing people together and making a difference nationwide.
He also discussed how the operator has changed from being a pioneer in connectivity to a purpose-driven digital and fintech powerhouse.
“Looking back, Vodacom started with a singular focus on connectivity, and we celebrate 25 years of building that foundation this month. Today, our ambition is broader, to empower people, protect the planet, and maintain trust while driving inclusive growth,” Besiimire said.
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What Vodacom’s ESG programs cover
Vodacom’s ESG programs cover digital access, environmental responsibility, and financial inclusion.
With innovations like M-Koba, where women’s groups account for over 60 per cent of savings transactions, and M-Wekeza, a trailblazing micro-investment platform that helps Tanzanians develop long-term financial resilience, the company’s flagship mobile money service, M-Pesa, continues to change lives.
The massive telecom company has extended 4G services to underserved areas to increase digital participation.
Life-saving initiatives
Programs like m-mama save lives by providing mobile-enabled emergency transport solutions, while initiatives like Lipa Kwa Simu speed up commerce between individuals, businesses, and the government.
Tanzania’s biggest mobile operator’s ESG campaign also emphasises climate action. The company’s carbon footprint is decreasing through reforestation projects like TwendeButiama, data centre optimisation, and energy efficiency measures.
“Over the past year, we strengthened our efforts to drive financial inclusion, digital access, and environmental responsibility,” Besiimire added.
Call to action
Senior government representatives attended the technology and telecommunications company’s event, including Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State for Planning and Investment, who called for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors.
“The government should facilitate and not control. Creating an enabling environment is critical for the success and sustainability of ESG initiatives,” he said.
Prof. Kitila Mkumbo further pointed out that with over 22.6 million customers in Tanzania and more than 211 million across Africa, Vodacom’s ESG-led approach positions the company as a central player in shaping inclusive digital economies.
Vodacom Tanzania CEO expresses enthusiasm
“Our progress is seen in mothers and babies saved through m-mama, in girls gaining confidence through Code Like a Girl, in underserved villages connected last year through 471 new 4G sites, and in the TZS 1.5 trillion in Songesha loans that have enabled families and businesses to thrive,” Besiimire further stated on his LinkedIn page.
He emphasised, “This is why we do what we do: to empower customers, protect our planet, and build trust. It is also why Vodacom Tanzania Plc’s ESG work aligns directly with Pillar 4 of DIRA 2050, Digital Transformation. The national vision calls for inclusive growth, competitiveness, and resilience in a digital economy, and we are proud to be enablers of that transformation.”
“Through investments in ICT infrastructure, digital skills training for thousands of youth, and innovations in financial inclusion, our commitment is to ensure that Tanzania’s digital future is accessible to all,” he concluded.