Safaricom Appoints Frankline Okata as New Enterprise Head Amid Strategic Shift
Safaricom, East Africa’s leading telecommunications provider, has announced a significant leadership transition within its executive team. Frankline Okata has been appointed as the new Chief Enterprise Business Officer, taking over from Cynthia Karuri-Kropac. This high-profile change is a key part of a broader executive reshuffle initiated under CEO Peter Ndegwa, signaling Safaricom’s intensified focus on bolstering its enterprise and digital services portfolio to counterbalance the stagnation in traditional voice and SMS revenue streams.
A Strategic Move Towards Enterprise Growth
The appointment of Frankline Okata underscores Safaricom’s commitment to leveraging seasoned internal expertise for its future growth. CEO Peter Ndegwa lauded Okata’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the company’s enterprise operations. “Frankline brings a wealth of experience and a good understanding of our Enterprise business and operations,” Ndegwa stated, highlighting Okata’s long tenure and progression within the organization.
Okata’s journey at Safaricom is a testament to his dedication and evolution within the telco giant. He initially joined the company in 2006 as a Customer Care Representative. Over the years, he transitioned through various roles within the Care Centre before moving to the pivotal Enterprise Business Unit in 2011, where he steadily climbed the ranks. His career trajectory within Safaricom’s enterprise division has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s nuances and opportunities.
Prior to this promotion, Okata was instrumental in shaping Safaricom’s strategy to scale integrated packaged technology solutions. Furthermore, he held direct responsibility for the crucial Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) segments, a vital growth area for the company. His proven track record in these areas makes him a fitting choice to lead Safaricom’s enterprise division as it navigates a dynamic market. This internal promotion also suggests a deliberate shift in Safaricom’s strategy, favoring the cultivation and advancement of talent from within its own ranks to spearhead its next phase of innovation and market leadership in the African tech landscape.
This strategic leadership change, with Frankline Okata stepping into the Chief Enterprise Business Officer role, marks a pivotal moment for Safaricom. It clearly demonstrates the company’s strategic pivot towards enterprise solutions and digital services as core pillars of its future revenue generation. By promoting a long-serving and accomplished internal talent like Okata, Safaricom reinforces its commitment to nurturing homegrown expertise and leveraging it to drive innovation and maintain its competitive edge in the evolving African telecommunications sector.
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