Michael Joseph, a figure synonymous with Safaricom’s meteoric rise in East Africa, has resigned from the Safaricom Board. The announcement was made by the board, highlighting Mr. Joseph’s long and illustrious tenure with the telecom giant.
Mr. Joseph first joined Safaricom in the year 2000, where he served in varied roles, such as General Manager and CEO on two occasions. He was the trailblazing force behind the company’s growth, pushing its subscriber base from a mere 18,000 in 2000 to a staggering 17 million by November 2010, establishing Safaricom as the premier company in East Africa.
In July 2020, Joseph took on the mantle of Chairman of the Board of Directors, succeeding Mr. Nicholas Nganga, who had served for 16 years. Joseph had been a non-executive board member since 2008. His storied career at Safaricom included stepping up as interim CEO in 2019, following the untimely passing of Bob Collymore. Joseph was succeeded by the current CEO, Peter Ndegwa, in April 2020.
His tenure at Safaricom is marked by visionary leadership and groundbreaking innovations. Under his watch, Safaricom saw the inception and monumental growth of M-PESA, the mobile money service that transformed how Kenyans transact. He was also instrumental in launching the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations, which have spearheaded numerous projects across Kenya in sectors ranging from education to health, and culture to conservation.
Together with Bob Collymore, Joseph unveiled the M-PESA Foundation Academy, yet another testament to his commitment to societal growth and empowerment.
His role was not just limited to Safaricom. Michael Joseph also notably serves as chairman of Kenya Airways and also held the title of Chancellor at Maseno University. As per the board’s statement, he will now shift his focus to “other ventures in his life”, continuing as Chairman of Kenya Airways and contributing as a director in several organizations. His dedication to conservation and community service will remain a key focus.
Safaricom’s Board, in its press release, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Michael Joseph’s unwavering service, sage advice, and unwavering commitment to the company. They wished him all the best in his future endeavors.
The legacy Joseph leaves behind at Safaricom is nothing short of remarkable. His influence on the company and its growth trajectory will be remembered for years to come.
