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Telkom's contribution to the United Nations SDGs

The following four SDGs and selected underlying targets present the most material opportunities for Telkom to enhance its positive impacts (SDG 4, SDG 8 and SDG 9) and decrease its negative impacts (SDG 12) in support of the SDGs. This table provides an overview of Telkom’s contribution to the SDGs, detailed further in the report, indicated with various cross-references.

An additional four SDGs (SDG 1, SDG 6, SDG 10 and SDG 16) that Telkom can support and influence were adopted during the development of the new ESG Strategy. The strategy is discussed on Our strategy review.

For Telkom’s approach to SDGs, refer to the below.

    Subtargets   Our contribution   Telkom KPI

Quality education

 
4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
  We materially impact proficiency in mathematics and science at high school level and support the development of teachers in pedagogical and content areas (specifically mathematics and science).   Social and relationship capital
  • Learners who complete National Senior Certificate
  • Proficiency in mathematics and science
  • Teachers empowered in improving the teaching practice in mathematics and science
 
 
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
  Telkom provides teachers and learners with an integrated ICT solution to bridge the digital divide and improve the quality of teaching and learning.   Social and relationship capital
  • 22 schools connected
  • Teachers connected in supported schools
  • Learners connected in supported schools
  • Zero-rated education sites
  • Corporate social investment invested in school infrastructure
 

    Subtargets   Our contribution   Telkom KPI

Decent work and economic growth

 
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high value added and labour-intensive sectors.
 

Our products and services predominantly enable technology which is a key driver for economic growth. Through investing in our networks and infrastructure, we increase our positive impact on this target.

Investments made in innovation and launching new value propositions that contribute to economic growth and sustainability.
  Productive capital
  • Investment in infrastructure
  • Network reach
  • Network reliability indicators
  • New value propositions launched
  • Revenue from new value propositions launched
 
 
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
  We materially impact this target through our procurement policy with specific considerations towards B-BBEE, ESD and investment activities, and the development and support of digital e-commerce solutions to support entrepreneurship and growth of SMMEs.   Social and relationship capital
  • B-BBEE procurement spend
  • SMMEs impacted or supported
  • Entrepreneurs impacted or supported
  • Investment in development programmes
  • Finance provided to SMMEs
  • Suppliers supported on the e-commerce platform
 
 
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
 

Telkom is an equal opportunity employer irrespective of gender, race or physical ability.

Telkom’s positive impact is material regarding quality education, Skills Development Programmes, our remuneration policies, workforce breakdown and investment into ESD.
 

Social and relationship capital

Jobs created (direct or indirect including new hires)

Human capital
  • Internal promotions
  • Employee voluntary turnover
  • Employee diversity statistics (including differently abled employees)
Remuneration report
  • Remuneration and benefit disclosure
  • Income differentials (gender and race wage gap)
 
 
8.6 By 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
 

We directly employ a significant number of people (11 898) and support a greater number of indirect jobs by providing business to local organisations and through our ESD programmes (see SDG 8.5).

Telkom is committed to developing youth through internships and training opportunities.
  Human capital
  • New employee hires
  • Employee turnover
  • Employee diversity statistics
  • Training spend
  • Internship programmes
Remuneration report
  • Remuneration and benefit disclosure
 
 
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.
 

We provide network access and maintenance to banks, ATMs and point of sale platforms. We also provide insurance and funeral cover through our mobile products.

Telkom Digital Wallet allows payments and receipt of money for customers.

Telkom offers the platform to enable other access to financial service through the provision of connectivity and infrastructure.
 
  • 34 720 people accessing Digital Wallet
 

    Subtargets   Our contribution   Telkom KPI

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

 
9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human wellbeing, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  We have a material/positive impact on this target through:
  • Extending and upgrading our infrastructure
  • Connecting remote, less-included communities
  • Stimulating economic participation
  • Supporting IoT-related innovation
Telkom can further increase its positive impact through the provision of affordable products and services, supporting equitable access to connectivity for all.
  Productive capital
  • Mobile sites integrated
  • FTTH homes passed
  • Enhanced fibre speeds
  • Data centre revenue (co-location, dedicated managed services, cloud services)
 
 
9.3 Increase the access of small- scale industrial and other enterprises in developing countries to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
  We contribute to this target through our ESD Programmes (refer to SDG 8.3). We also provide a platform for technological advances to other industries through our products and services.   Social and relationship capital
  • Number of SMMEs impacted and/or supported
  • R’million finance provided to SMEs
Productive capital
  • Digital transformation as a KPI
 
 
9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries acting in accordance with their respective capabilities.
  We increase our positive impact by leveraging Gyro and its infrastructure upgrades to increase resource use efficiency and adopt clean and environmentally sound technologies. This includes:
  • Solar photovoltaic plants expansion
  • Moving from copper to fibre cables further increases the use of more environmentally friendly technologies and products
  • Water and energy smart meters at high-consuming sites to optimise consumption of utilities
  Natural capital
  • Carbon footprint
  • Water consumption
  • Electricity usage from renewable resource
Productive capital
  • FTTH
 
 
9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
  We have a material opportunity to increase our positive impact on research and innovation in the ICT space through partnerships and utilising our current platforms, for example, the Openserve Centre of Excellence.   Human capital
  • Number of research and development learners per annum
  • Number of research and development interns per annum
 

    Subtargets   Our contribution   Telkom KPI

Responsible consumption and production

 
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
  Our business activities, products and services lead to high volumes of e-waste, such as batteries, copper cabling, phones, electronic equipment, etc. There are significant opportunities for Telkom to decrease its negative impact through, among others, the recycling of end-of-life products.   Natural capital
  • Volumes of e-waste disposed of
 
 
12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
  We can materially impact this target with our procurement practices and terms and conditions.  
  • No KPI information reported for FY2022.
 
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