Safaricom’s Sanda Ojiambo has been appointed as the Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) the worlds largest corporate sustainability initiative.
Sanda who will assume the role from June 17th taking over from Denmark’s Lise Kingo who has been with the UN Global Compact since 2015.
Before her new appointment, Sanda has served as Safaricom’s Head of Sustainable Business and Social Impact since 2010. She has served as the Senior Manager of Safaricom and MPESA Foundations. During which she led the implementation of several public-private partnership initiatives between Safaricom and UN organisations. She holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, the USA. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Development from McGill University, Canada.
“Sanda has been instrumental in leading our Sustainable Business team. Focusing on Sustainability, Shared Value, Corporate Social Investment and Technology for Development. She has also played a major role in the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our business operations,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO.
“Sanda brings 20 years of experience to lead the Global Compact in its next phase. To mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders. And bring the full weight of the private sector to achieve the SDGs”, Said António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.
The United Nations Global Compact is a strategic policy and advocacy initiative. Calling for the alignment of business operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. While also motivating companies to integrate the SDGs into their core operations and funding activities.
Safaricom is an active member of the UN Global Compact and the only African Global Compact LEAD company. As a highly engaged participant of the UN Global Compact. Global Compact LEAD companies are uniquely positioned to inspire widespread uptake of sustainability solutions among businesses around the world. Other Global Compact LEAD companies include Unilever, Accenture and Nestle.