Stephen Chege Returns to Safaricom as Group Chief External Affairs Officer

Safaricom PLC has announced the return of Stephen Chege to the company, this time in the elevated role of Group Chief External Affairs Officer, with responsibilities spanning both Safaricom Kenya and Safaricom Ethiopia. His appointment marks a strategic move by the telecommunications giant as it strengthens its regional footprint and deepens its commitment to purpose-driven operations.

In his expanded mandate, Chege will lead key functions including Regulatory and External Affairs, Public Policy, Communication Strategy, Media Relations, Corporate Social Investments (CSI), ESG and Sustainability. He will also drive the integration of Safaricom’s purpose across the Group’s operations, positioning the company to deliver greater societal and economic impact in both markets.

Chege returns to Safaricom after serving as Chief External Affairs Officer at Vodacom Group since 2021, where he oversaw external affairs across eight African markets — South Africa, Tanzania, DRC, Mozambique, Lesotho, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt. His tenure at Vodacom was marked by notable achievements, including resolving complex operating licence negotiations, addressing critical tax matters, and facilitating key spectrum acquisitions.

He also played a pivotal role in shaping regulatory reforms in mobile money and mobile services, while steering Vodacom’s ESG implementation and global reporting standards. Additionally, Chege led a successful reorganisation of Vodacom Foundations, enabling the group to further embed purpose into its operations and community investments across the continent.

Safaricom has welcomed his return as a boost to its leadership capacity, expressing confidence that his experience, regional networks and proven track record will help drive meaningful impact in Kenya, Ethiopia, and beyond.