Safaricom’s Karen Basiye Clinches Schwab Social Innovator Award
Karen Basiye, Safaricom’s Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact, and Foundations, has been named a 2026 Corporate Social Innovator of the Year by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
The prestigious award, presented in partnership with the World Economic Forum, recognizes global leaders who are pioneering new models for social change within the private sector. Basiye was selected for her transformative leadership in integrating Social and Environmental Impact (ESG) into the core DNA of Safaricom’s operations.
“This recognition is a testament to the ‘Spirit of Safaricom’, the fundamental belief that a business can only thrive when the society around it thrives,” the company said in a statement. “Karen embodies what it means to use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not merely as a checklist, but as a powerful enabler for a net-positive future.”
During her tenure, Basiye has been a driving force behind Safaricom’s most ambitious sustainability initiatives. Her work has spanned from spearheading aggressive Climate Action strategies to expanding Digital Inclusion programs that ensure technology serves as a bridge for underserved communities. Under her guidance, Safaricom has shifted its focus toward “Transforming Lives,” ensuring that every technological advancement contributes to the social good.
The Schwab Foundation highlighted Basiye’s ability to scale tech solutions that address systemic challenges, placing both Safaricom and the African continent at the center of the global conversation on responsible business.
“Leaders like Karen remind us that our ‘Social License to Operate’ is earned every day by doing the right thing,” the company added. “Her work ensures that our technology doesn’t just connect people, it empowers them.”
The award places Basiye among an elite group of global social entrepreneurs and public-sector leaders recognized for their excellence in social innovation. This honor further solidifies Safaricom’s position as a leader in ESG and a champion for sustainable development in Africa.
