A targeted environmental restoration initiative will see 250,000 indigenous and fruit trees planted across 7,000 base transceiver station (BTS) sites, linking digital expansion with ecosystem rehabilitation, a strategy advanced by Safaricom as part of its broader sustainability commitments.
The telecommunications giant, which serves millions of customers nationwide, said the Ksh 15 million investment over two years aims to mitigate the ecological impact of network infrastructure while supporting Kenya’s climate action objectives.
“As we expand our network to connect more Kenyans to reliable voice and internet services, we recognise that some of our activities, such as building base stations and laying fiber, can have unavoidable effects on the environment,” said Dr Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer at Safaricom, explaining the rationale for the initiative.
He added that the project represents a structured approach to ecosystem restoration and community engagement while advancing the company’s decarbonisation trajectory.
The Biodiversity Restoration Project will partner with public and private institutions hosting Safaricom’s BTS infrastructure to cultivate indigenous and fruit-bearing trees that can enhance soil quality, provide shade, and support local biodiversity.
This intervention aligns with Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on climate action and life on land, positioning telecom infrastructure development within a responsible environmental framework.
“Integrating environmental protection into our operations allows technology and sustainability to coexist,” said Dr Ndegwa, explaining the strategic value of embedding ecological considerations into corporate operations.
He noted that the initiative is designed to create shared value for both the company and communities surrounding BTS sites, combining digital connectivity with tangible environmental benefits.
Safaricom’s environmental programmes complement this project with a long-term tree-growing initiative in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, targeting the reforestation of 5,000 hectares and the cultivation of 5 million trees by 2030.
To date, over 2.5 million trees have been planted, covering more than 2,000 hectares of degraded forests, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and carbon reduction.
The initiative also reflects growing recognition within Kenya’s corporate sector of the need to balance technological growth with ecological stewardship.
Analysts note that investments of this scale in environmental restoration can enhance corporate sustainability ratings, strengthen stakeholder trust, and contribute to the resilience of local ecosystems against climate variability.
By combining infrastructure expansion with proactive biodiversity interventions, Safaricom positions its network growth as a model for integrating corporate operations with environmental accountability.
The two-year programme will also provide a framework for monitoring ecological impact, measuring carbon sequestration potential, and evaluating community engagement outcomes, while reinforcing the role of private sector participation in Kenya’s national climate strategies.
