This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Published on July 9, 2019, by BANKELELE
Bob Collymore, the late CEO of Safaricom, left an indelible mark on corporate Kenya during his tenure from November 2010. His leadership style was unorthodox, yet effective, as he transformed the company's image and tackled corruption within the telecommunications sector.
Collymore's decision to be the face of the company, using social media platforms like Twitter, was a bold move. He had over 1.3 million followers, more than the company's official Twitter accounts, and used the platform to share his thoughts on various topics, including company products, personal interests, and social development goals.
One of his notable achievements was commissioning a forensic report to investigate allegations of corruption within Safaricom's large contracts. Although the report found no wrongdoing, its leaked findings were unflattering to the company. Collymore's response was to voluntarily declare his wealth on World Anti-Corruption Day in 2016, a move that was emulated by KCB's Joshua Oigara but not by other corporate leaders in Kenya.
Collymore's commitment to transparency extended beyond his personal wealth declaration. He spoke at the Africa Shared Value Summit in Nairobi on May 23, 2019, where he bragged about being ridiculed by corporate Kenya for announcing his earnings. He revealed that this had become mandatory for all listed company directors and CEOs, and that their companies would next aim to disclose corporate pay gap to highlight and reduce inequalities.
At the summit, Collymore urged other businesses to reduce inequalities and improve the communities from which they derive their profits. He emphasized the importance of tackling corruption, paying taxes, and being inclusive by doing more business with women-led firms and SMEs.
Collymore's leadership was marked by his willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo. He took time off from leading Safaricom in November 2017 to seek medical treatment overseas, an unusual move for a corporate leader. His decision to go public with his health struggles was a testament to his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Under Collymore's leadership, Safaricom's revenue and profits soared, transforming the company into a global player. He remained humble, delegating credit to his teams and focusing on social development goals. As Aly Khan Satchu wrote, Collymore took over a company valued at over $1 billion and left it worth $11 billion, with a larger global profile and a place in the portfolios of sub-Saharan Africa and frontier market investment funds.
