Karen Basiye, Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact, and Foundations at Safaricom, has been honored as the Schwab Foundation Corporate Social Innovator of the Year 2026.
This prestigious award, presented in partnership with the World Economic Forum, celebrates leaders who integrate purpose into profit and drive systemic change across industries.
Her recognition underscores Safaricom’s belief in the “Spirit of Safaricom”, the conviction that business thrives when society thrives.
Championing Climate Action and Digital Inclusion
At Safaricom, Karen has been instrumental in embedding social and environmental impact into the company’s DNA. Her leadership spans:
- Climate Action – advancing sustainability and resilience in Kenya and beyond.
- Digital Inclusion – ensuring technology bridges gaps rather than widens them.
- ESG and SDGs – using global frameworks not as checklists, but as enablers of a net‑positive future.
Her work ensures that Safaricom’s technology doesn’t just connect people, it #TransformsLives.
“Karen has been at the forefront of integrating Social and Environmental Impact into our DNA. From championing Climate Action to driving Digital Inclusion, her work ensures that our technology doesn’t just connect people but #TransformsLives,” says Safaricom.
“She embodies what it means to use ESG and the SDGs not as a checklist, but as an enabler for a net‑positive future. As we accelerate our mission to deliver scalable tech solutions, leaders like Karen remind us that our ‘Social Licence to Operate’ is earned every day by doing the right thing.”
Schwab Foundation Awards 2026: Driving Systemic Change
The Schwab Foundation Awards 2026 recognized 21 social entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide. According to the Foundation:
“These leaders are values-driven innovators pioneering transformative business, social development and environmental models that are helping build a more equitable and sustainable world.”
Awardees this year include initiatives strengthening emergency medical services in Ethiopia, building circular textile economies in Lebanon, and tackling the shortage of STEM teachers in North America.
Explore the full list of awardees on the Schwab Foundation Awards 2026 page.
Hilde Schwab: Purpose-Driven Innovation Transforms Societies
Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation, highlighted the resilience of this year’s honorees:
“In the face of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty, these leaders have not only adapted their models but have deepened their commitment to lasting impact. Their achievements… demonstrate that purpose-driven innovation can truly transform societies and build a more inclusive, sustainable future for all.”
Safaricom and Africa on the Global Map
Karen’s recognition places Safaricom and Africa on the global stage for responsible business. As Safaricom accelerates its mission to deliver scalable tech solutions, her leadership reminds stakeholders that a company’s “Social Licence to Operate” is earned every day by doing the right thing.
Why Karen Basiye’s Award Matters
- For Safaricom: Reinforces its reputation as a sustainability pioneer in Africa’s private sector.
- For Kenya & Africa: Elevates regional leadership in ESG and digital inclusion globally.
- For Business Worldwide: Demonstrates that corporate innovation and social impact are inseparable in building resilient futures.
Karen Basiye’s recognition as Corporate Social Innovator of the Year 2026 is both a personal milestone and a collective achievement. By embedding sustainability into Safaricom’s operations, she exemplifies how leaders can transform technology into a force that not only connects people but truly #TransformsLives.
