Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to the United Nations, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 per cent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to $55 trillion.
In Kenya, Karen Basiye, Director Sustainable Business and Social Impact at Safaricom, champions accelerating digital inclusion as a driver of sustainability.
“How we have championed digital inclusion at Safaricom is how we’ve created the sustainability strategy, the purpose strategy. If you look at our purpose strategy, we have been very strategic and thoughtful to have digital inclusion as a key parameter. So our strategy is anchored into two key pillars, people, that is transforming people, impacting society, and under people is where we have digital inclusion.”
“Then the next pillar of our strategy is planet ensuring that we catalyze a net positive future underpinned by doing the right thing,” she said.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), more than two-thirds of the UN’s targets for sustainable development can benefit directly from digital technologies.
Digital inclusion in sustainability requires investment in connectivity infrastructure, building up digital skills, and creating the conditions for job opportunities in this digital economy.
On this Safaricom Newsroom Podcast, Karen talks about her journey in sustainability and how she is championing digital inclusion in her area of expertise.
