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Adil Arshed KHAWAJA, MBS

BOARD CHAIR – SAFARICOM PLC

Safaricom’s phenomenal growth over the last two decades has made it one of the most watched companies in East Africa, thus, the announcement of a new board chair in January this year created a buzz within business and corporate circles.

Naturally, there was a scramble to find out more about the newly elected Chair, Adil Arshed Khawaja. However, there was not much information online beyond the profile on the website of the prestigious law firm, Dentons, Hamilton, Harrison & Mathews, where Adil serves as Managing Partner.

Khawaja has quietly built a reputation as one of Kenya’s most renowned lawyers, with clients ranging from investors, high net worth clients, companies and the Government of Kenya (GoK).

A member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) since 1994, Adil has been at the Waiyaki Way-based law firm throughout his career. He started out as a trainee in 1993, when it was Hamilton, Harrison and Mathews.

Safaricom, Kenya’s most successful company, is a natural fit for the man who has built up a reputation in corporate circles by demanding professionalism at the boards where he has served, and for continuously doing the right thing for businesses.

Prof Githu Muigai, the former Attorney General (AG) and highly distinguished legal scholar, gave a vote of confidence in support of Khawaja upon his appointment. “I know Adil from his early days as a litigation lawyer: well prepared and meticulous. He doesn’t leave anything to chance, and takes no prisoners. I’m sure the team at Safaricom has begun to feel his impact despite only having just been elected,” he noted.

Adil has joined the Safaricom board at a momentous time for the telco, as it works to become, in the words of CEO Peter Ndegwa, a purpose-led technology company by 2025. Among Safaricom’s biggest undertakings is the investment in Ethiopia, where it leads a global consortium that has established the second telecommunication company in a country that is brimming with potential.

Khawaja’s most recent high-profile board membership was at the KCB Group, where he served from 2012 to 2020, and was Chair from September 2019 to August 2020, thereafter retiring having served the maximum period for a non-executive member.

Joshua Oigara, the former KCB Group CEO, remembers Adil as a committed member of the board. Oigara describes him as a no nonsense, efficient and bold chairman, who is very tactical in his thinking. “Khawaja set goals and led from the front. KCB missed him on the board, and as chair when he left,” Oigara commented.

Adil was on the board of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) between 2014 and 2020, and is currently on the board of the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS). He is also on the board of CMC Motors Group.

An insider at one of the boards noted that when Adil joined, he would push fellow members to scrutinize the board papers well ahead of meetings and most importantly, advise them to keep time. He would also request that board allowances be paid to members’ bank accounts rather than the traditional method, where they would be in envelopes handed over at the end of the meetings.

Khawaja has vast experience in the world of environmental conservation and sustainability. For the last 20 years, the Chairman has been a devoted participant in Rhino Charge, the annual off-road 4×4 competition that raises funds to support the conservation and protection of Kenya’s water towers. Adil is amongst the top fundraisers for Rhino Ark, where he has been a Trustee since 2018.

Khawaja is a Trustee of Care for the Wild, an Advisor for Friends of Conservation, and a Board Member of the National Environment Council. He has also been a Member of the Nairobi Arboretum Conservancy Community Forest Association.

Adil’s love for the law and environmental conservation led him to be appointed as a member of the Taskforce to inquire into Forest Resource Management and Logging activities in Kenya. Recently, in recognition of his positive contribution to the sustainability of the environment of the country, Khawaja was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by the President of the Republic of Kenya.

Khawaja’s passion for social responsibility perfectly aligns with the goals of the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations. Both foundations have been involved in a myriad of activities. For instance, the protection of the Lewa Conservancy through the Lewa Safari Marathon, the protection of the endangered Roam antelopes in the Ruma National Park, and the continuous involvement in sports activities around the country, be it the Safaricom Golf Tour or sponsoring drivers in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Adil’s proficiency that he has built over the years is expected to come into play, especially in Safaricom’s top leadership. In recent years, the company has seen the departure of key personalities, hence the Chairman’s experience is bound to provide stability at the C-suite level.

Certainly, Khawaja has huge responsibilities ahead. To be impactful in his new capacity, he will need to know the real situation on the ground, get involved in the day-to-day activities of the telco, and have full sight of every decision that might affect the company.