🎙️ #Alitalkstech – Clearing the Runway: Fred Waithaka on Policy, Platforms & Purpose 🌍📱
In this high-impact episode recorded at the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF) and the Africa Tech Policy Summit, Ali sits down with Fred Waithaka, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Safaricom, for a masterclass in tech policy, public engagement, and the future of digital Africa.
Fred opens up about what it really means to "clear the runway" for one of Africa’s most influential tech companies — by earning the social license to operate and navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. With warmth and clarity, he explains how Safaricom bridges the worlds of telecom, fintech, tech innovation, and ESG.
🔍 Inside this episode:
Why ESG is embedded in African traditions — not just corporate checklists 🌱
How Safaricom collaborates with regulators, developers, and communities to drive innovation 🤝
The power of M-Pesa and Daraja, and how they’ve shaped Kenya’s fintech ecosystem 💸💻
What it means to balance compliance with creativity in a fast-changing digital world ⚖️⚡
Why policy engagement is everyone’s business — especially for startups and entrepreneurs 🚀
Fred also shares his personal reflections on leadership, lifelong learning, and how his 70-person multidisciplinary team acts as a "force multiplier" in forums like KeIGF to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
🎧 Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, developer, or digital rights advocate, this episode is packed with bold insights, grounded wisdom, and a clear call: collaboration is the currency of the future.
#AliTalksTech #KeIGF2025 #AfricaTechPolicyWeek #Safaricom #MPesa #DigitalRegulation #ESG #OpenFinance #FintechAfrica #TechPolicy #Daraja #KenyaTech
