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ADIL ARSHED KHAWAJA, MBS, MGH
CHAIR SAFARICOM PLC
Marking his inaugural year as Chair of the Board at Safaricom PLC, leading telco giant in Africa, Adil Khawaja showcases transformative leadership, guiding Safaricom towards remarkable achievements.
In his capacity as Chair, Adil has played a pivotal role in supporting the management team’s efforts to successfully implement key government projects. These initiatives are designed to address critical challenges facing the Kenyan populace. Noteworthy among these projects is the impactful Hustler Fund, which has disbursed an impressive Ksh 40 billion in loans. Additionally, Adil has been instrumental in supporting initiatives such as the Women Enterprise Fund, Fertiliser Subsidy Program, Community Health Promoters, and the advancement of Local Communication Device Manufacturing, among others.
His adept leadership is evident in Safaricom’s strategic contributions to these initiatives, reinforcing the company’s commitment to societal development and progress under his visionary stewardship.
During his impactful tenure as the Chair of KCB Bank Kenya from 2016 to 2020, Adil showcased exemplary thought leadership, spearheading various significant initiatives. Notably, he orchestrated the comprehensive reorganisation of the KCB Group structure by establishing KCB Group PLC – a non-operating holding company, successfully listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Simultaneously, he facilitated the segregation of banking assets and liabilities, creating the operational entity, KCB Bank Kenya, where Adil assumed the pivotal role of the first Chairman.
Under his guidance, the KCB Foundation launched the ambitious 2Ajiri initiative, committing KES 50 billion towards youth employment. Furthermore, Adil played a pivotal role in aligning KCB Bank with global sustainability goals by adopting nine out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), strategically integrating them into the group’s overall strategy. A crowning achievement during this period was the strategic acquisition of the National Bank of Kenya (NBK).
Adil’s leadership style, characterised by a no-nonsense approach, efficiency, and bold decision-making, earned him recognition as an influential and effective chairman at KCB.
Adil also served on the board of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) from 2014 to 2020 as well as CMC Motors Group, from 2014 to 2023.
Beyond his corporate engagements, Adil’s extensive experience in environmental conservation and sustainability aligns with his deep passion for these causes. Actively participating in Rhino Charge, the annual off-road 4×4 competition, Adil is one of the top fundraisers for Rhino Ark, where he has served as a Trustee since 2018.
Adil’s love for conservation is further evident in his roles as a Trustee of Care for the Wild, an Advisor for Friends of Conservation, and a Board Member of the National Environment Council. Additionally, he has been an active Member of the Nairobi Arboretum Conservancy Community Forest Association.
In addition to holding esteemed board positions, Adil is widely revered for his role as the Managing Partner of the prestigious law firm Dentons, Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews. A dedicated member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) since 1994, Adil has dedicated his entire professional journey to the law firm, orchestrating its seamless transition to its present location on Waiyaki Way. He initiated his career as a trainee in 1993 under the firm’s original name, Hamilton, Harrison, and Mathews.
Throughout the years, Adil has meticulously built a reputation as one of Kenya’s foremost legal practitioners, distinguished for his discretion and legal prowess. In his diverse areas of practice, Adil excels in banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, real estate planning, environmental law, and serving high-net-worth (HNW) private clients. His primary industrial focus centres around energy and infrastructure, telecommunications, media, and technology. One of his notable achievements includes providing counsel to an international construction company involved in a groundbreaking mixed-use development, the mega avant-garde real estate project known as Tatu City.
Adil’s passion for law and environmental issues led to his appointment as a distinguished member of the Taskforce tasked with inquiring into Forest Resource Management and Logging activities in Kenya. In recognition of his substantial contributions to the country’s environmental sustainability, Adil was bestowed with the prestigious Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Moreover, during the momentous commemoration of Kenya @ 60 in 2023, the President of Kenya bestowed upon Adil the esteemed Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH), in acknowledgment of his exemplary service to the nation and humanity.
Adil’s educational journey includes a Diploma of Law (Bar Finals) from the Kenya School of Law (KSL) in 1994 and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree with Honours from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK) in 1993.
Beyond LSK, he is a member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries (ICS).
Adil is fluent in English, Kiswahili, Hindi and Punjabi.
