About
Bob Collymore
Bob Collymore was the former CEO of Safaricom Limited, a leading communications company in Africa and pioneer of M-PESA, the world’s most developed mobile payment system..
His work experience spanned across diverse countries such as Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom where he held senior roles in marketing, purchasing, retail and corporate affairs. Bob had more than 30 years of commercial experience working in the telecommunications sector and was passionate about how businesses can be catalysts in transforming communities.
In April 2017, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon re-appointed Mr. Collymore to the United Nations Global Compact Board. This was seen as a recognition of Safaricom’s commitment to environmental, sustainability and anti-corruption issues as well as the work it undertook to address the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on maternal health and child mortality.
Mr. Collymore was a member of the Board of Acumen and served as a Commissioner on the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children. In Kenya, he sat on The Vision 2030 Delivery Board and was the founding trustee of the National Road Safety Trust. He was also the chairman of the TEAMS (The East African Marine System) Board. In recognition of outstanding services rendered to the nation of Kenya, Bob was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear by the President of Kenya in December 2012.
In 2015, Mr. Collymore became a B-Team Leader, where he championed for equality and believed in the important role that business has to play in delivering a fairer world.
In 2017, Bob was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He passed away on the 1st of July 2019 at his home in Nairobi, Kenya.