Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (pictured) believes Africa is no longer playing catch-up in global technologies, telling attendees of a key business conference in Kenya the continent is now holding its own in developing fresh business models and tapping emerging digitalisation trends.

In a string of posts on a popular micro-blogging site, the operator reported Ndegwa told the Academy of International Business (AIB) Conference nations are increasingly looking to Africa for fresh approaches to delivering growth and innovation.

Africa is now “co-creating new models” and its views are ever-more sought after, Ndegwa said.

The Safaricom boss noted Africa was not immune to global challenges, but argued “turbulence can also drive transformation”.

He pointed to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as an example, explaining the operator group “had to navigate regulatory changes, currency pressure”, greater competition and cybersecurity challenges.

The challenges fuelled a shift from “telco to techco” as Safaricom recognised “adaptability is now a competitive advantage”.

He noted global uncertainties continue today due to “geopolitical tension, economic volatility” and various disruptive technology developments including AI, meaning the ability to swiftly adjust is still essential.

Ndegwa said the m-Pesa mobile money platform “remains the clearest example of African innovation” being used to address a local problem by looking to the bigger picture of what the system is for rather than focusing solely on technology.

He argued the platform shows what can be achieved in driving digital transformation when initiatives are backed by the right regulations and laws, along with “strong public-private collaborations”.

The three-day AIB event concluded today (29 May).

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Telefonica highlighted the concrete benefits of operator sustainability efforts by cutting costs through reduced network energy consumption.

The operator noted use in 2025 was 12% lower than in 2015 and was achieved in the face of a 1,200% rise in data traffic over the period.

Telefonica credited a focus on improving network efficiency through more advanced energy management techniques, which it stated resulted in consumption of 29MWh per petabyte of traffic by 2025, 92% lower than in 2015.

It officially focused more on the service implications of the sustainability drive than the financial savings made, preferring to talk-up how a “technological evolution” of its infrastructure and data management techniques are contributing to lower energy consumption.

But it noted the energy optimisation moves are increasingly important in offsetting “risks associated with rising energy prices”.

Maya Ormazabal, global director of sustainability, said Telefonica is “able to move huge volumes of data using only a fraction of the electricity we needed a decade ago”.

The executive reasoned the change shows how “digitalisation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand”.

Telefonica positioned itself as a European frontrunner in terms of sustainability efforts.

It hailed a 49% drop in total carbon emissions between 2015 and 2025, a figure spanning its whole value chain.

Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions are down 91%, with Scope 3 lowered by 34% since 2016.

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Telenor detailed a structural shift, prioritising access to its customers and territories with a set-up focused on individual countries rather than its previous regional approach as it seeks a solid base for long-term growth.

The operator stated changes are in the works as part of goals detailed during a capital markets day in November 2025, where it outlined ambitions around pursuing top-line growth, better efficiency and general improvement of its operations.

It expects the fresh approach to cut administrative outlay and spur EBITDA growth, free cashflow and return on capital.

Telenor described the fresh structure as “simplified and sharpened”.

The CEOs of its current Nordics businesses are to join group management and the division removed, a strategy Telenor expects to bring “customer, market and financial perspectives” closer to home in its overall decision making.

It lined up changes to its group management team, all of which are to come into effect on 18 August.

Jon Omund Revhaug is named chief technology and transformation officer and Inger Gloersen Folkeson chief corporate development officer.

Group CEO Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer; CFO Torbjorn Wist; Norway CEO Birgitte Engebretsen; Sweden CEO Jonas Eden; Denmark CEO Lars Thomsen; and DNA CEO Jussi Tolvanen are all to remain in their current roles.

Elisabeth Melander Stene is taking on the role of acting chief people and organisation officer; Thomas Midteide chief corporate affairs officer; and Siri Birgitte Bang Berge a CEO advisory position.

Telenor Asia is to remain a distinct unit alongside its country-oriented operations, with recruitment of a division head underway.

Since the capital markets day there have been various moves for its IoT unit culminating in a recent deal to tweak ownership.

Telenor is also looking to establish a sovereign cloud operation in Norway.

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