Peter Ndegwa is a Kenyan businessman, accountant, and corporate executive who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom, the largest telecommunications company in the East African Community. With nearly 50 million subscribers as of December 2020, Safaricom is a regional leader in mobile communications. Ndegwa’s appointment in April 2020 marked a historic milestone—he became the first Kenyan to lead Safaricom.
Early Life & Education
Born in Kenya in 1969, Ndegwa attended Starehe Boys’ Centre and School, where he completed his secondary education. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi. His pursuit of advanced studies took him to the London School of Business, where he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is also a Certified Public Accountant, underscoring his strong financial and analytical expertise.
Career Journey
Ndegwa began his career as a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the United Kingdom, gaining international exposure early on. In 2004, he returned to Kenya to join East African Breweries Limited (EABL) as Director of Strategy. His leadership and strategic acumen propelled him into senior roles within the Diageo Group:
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Managing Director, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (2011–2015)
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Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria (2015–2018)
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General Manager, Diageo Continental Europe & Russia (2018–2019), overseeing operations across more than 50 countries from his base in Amsterdam.
His track record of success in Ghana, Nigeria, and Europe positioned him as a seasoned leader with deep experience in managing diverse markets and driving growth.
In October 2019, Safaricom’s board announced his appointment as CEO, effective 1 April 2020, succeeding interim CEO Michael Joseph. Ndegwa became the substantive successor to Bob Collymore, who passed away in July 2019.
Personal Life
Peter Ndegwa is married and has one child.
