Adil Khawaja Named Chairman of Safaricom Board

Adil Arshed Khawaja, a Kenyan attorney, will now lead the board of Safaricom, the country’s most successful business.

John Ngumi left the position after less than six months, barely weeks before the announcement.

Mr. Khawaja is the Managing Partner at Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, the first legal firm to be established in Kenya, and he joined the board in December as a non-executive director.

He also sits on the boards of Atua Enkop Africa Limited, Al Futtaim Automotive-CMC Motors Group, and Rhino Ark Charitable Trust. Prior to this, he sat on the KCB Bank board from 2016 until 2020.

“He is recognized as a leading name in the Kenyan legal profession and has been globally recognized in various practice groups as one of the most sought-after lawyers in Kenya,” Safaricom said.

With Mr. Ngumi’s selection as board chair, locals held the top positions for the first time in Safaricom’s history. He joined fellow Kenyan Peter Ndegwa, who was named Safaricom CEO in April 2020, making him the first Kenyan to serve as both chairman and CEO at the same time.

Due to the power of significant foreign-based stockholders, the positions have always been split between foreigners and locals.

Michael Joseph, who is still a director on the board, had been replaced by him.

Mr. Ngumi claimed he was leaving to concentrate on renewable energy initiatives.