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.
Telkom adopted an additional four SDGs (SDG 1, SDG 6, SDG 10 and SDG 16) that it can support and influence during the development of the ESG Strategy. The strategy is discussed on Unpacking our PIVOT Strategy.
For Telkom’s approach to SDGs, refer below
Quality |
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| Subtargets | Our contribution | Telkom KPI | |
| 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 science, technology, English and mathematics. The Telkom Foundation invested R64 million into education, digital skills and social development. | Social and relationship
capital
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| 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
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Decent work and |
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| Subtargets | Our contribution | Telkom KPI | |
| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 8.6 | By 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. | We directly employ a significant number of people 11 624 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
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| 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 this platform to enable access to other financial services through the provision of connectivity and infrastructure. |
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Industry, innovation |
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| Subtargets | Our contribution | Telkom KPI | |
| 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:
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Productive capital
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| 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
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| 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:
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Natural capital
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| 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. Telkom marked a key milestone in its continued commitment to research, development, and innovation, signing a five-year strategic partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand to launch the first Industry Solutions Lab as part of the Wits Innovation Centre. |
Human capital
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Responsible consumption |
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| Subtargets | Our contribution | Telkom KPI | |
| 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 and electronic equipment. There are significant opportunities for Telkom to decrease its negative impact through, among others, the recycling of end-of-life products. | Natural capital
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| 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. |
Social and relationship
capital
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