Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa has shared his remarkable journey from a humble accountant to one of Africa’s most influential corporate leaders, redefining leadership through purpose and humility.
In an interview on Cleaning The Airwaves, Ndegwa opened up about the values and lessons that have guided his rise from an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to the helm of Kenya’s largest telecommunications company.
“I never set out to be a CEO. All I ever wanted was to do my work well and keep learning,” he said.
That simplicity and focus have defined his career. Born and raised in a modest household, Ndegwa says his parents instilled in him the values of honesty, discipline, and faith, virtues that continue to anchor his leadership.
“My father taught me that honesty mattered more than success. Do what is right even when no one is watching. That’s where leadership begins,” he recalled.
After qualifying as an accountant, Ndegwa began his career at PwC in the early 1990s. The long nights spent reconciling figures and auditing accounts were invaluable in shaping his work ethic.
“Audit work gives you discipline. You can’t guess people depend on your numbers,” he said.
A stint in London broadened his perspective, exposing him to global business dynamics. When he returned home, he joined East African Breweries Limited (EABL) as part of its strategy division — a move that shifted him from observer to decision-maker.
“I moved from reviewing other people’s work to defining where a company should go. Suddenly, I had to lead conversations rather than check them,” the CEO recounted.
At EABL, he discovered “mission leadership,” a philosophy that now defines his management style. “The mission will always be bigger than the budget,” he explains. “When people understand why they’re doing something, they’ll find the how.”
His openness and humility also won him respect. “I told my team on the first day, ‘I know nothing about sales — you’ll have to teach me.Once they knew I valued their expertise, they’d walk through fire for me,”
When Safaricom’s board appointed him CEO in 2020 — in the middle of the pandemic — Ndegwa faced an enormous challenge.
“It wasn’t just about keeping the network running. It was about keeping the country connected, emotionally and economically,” he recalled.
Under his leadership, Safaricom has been transforming into a purpose-led TechCo — a technology company focused on impact rather than just products. The firm’s initiatives now include digital literacy, sustainability, and youth empowerment projects such as Citizen of the Future, which equips young Kenyans with modern skills.
“If we don’t invest in our young people. We’ll have no future leaders to take our place,” he said.
Faith, Ndegwa says, remains his foundation. “Every morning, I thank God for the gift of responsibility. Leadership is stewardship; it doesn’t belong to you.”
As Safaricom continues expanding into finance, education, and green innovation, Ndegwa remains clear about his vision: “Africa’s future won’t be built by imitation. It will be built by relevance — solving African problems in African ways.”
From balancing ledgers at PwC to steering one of Africa’s biggest corporations, Peter Ndegwa’s story is proof that true leadership is not about power or prestige — it’s about purpose, humility, and impact.