Vodacom has made significant strides in digital ethics and governance this year, achieving important milestones in the Doing What’s Right Ethics Management Programme, writes Karen Robinson, Group Company Secretary and Group Head of Ethics.

This year, in collaboration with the Technology team and AI Steerco, we have launched the Digital Ethics Programme (DEP). This initiative engages a diverse group of participants and stakeholders to ensure that our continuous innovation and digital transformation align with the values and principles enshrined in our Code of Conduct and related policies.

For the good of society

Digital ethics is a complex and crucial aspect of governance and compliance. At Vodacom, we have established a comprehensive framework to become digital leaders at all levels, always striving to use our technology for the good of society while minimising its negative consequences.

The DEP rollout comprises two main components: 

  • The Socialisation Workstream, where key stakeholders across the Group were informed about the Digital Ethics Framework and its fundamental concepts
  • The Measurement Workstream, in which the digital ethics capability maturity measurement (CMM) tool is developed to suit different functions across the markets.

This CMM will generate diverse datasets and insights into digital ethics across the Group. The findings will inform an implementation plan with key focus areas and relevant metrics to be monitored over time, ensuring ongoing progress in promoting digital ethics within Vodacom.

Embedding ethical leadership

In April 2024, we held the annual Chairman’s Ethical Leadership event, themed “Ethical Leadership in the Digital Age”. The event aimed to embed ethical leadership at all levels of the company. This year’s guest speaker, Dr Urvashi Aneja, is a renowned expert on the ethics and governance of algorithmic decision-making systems, focusing on the Global South.

Our panel of experts – Tando Mkosi, ME: Talent Manager and Culture; Professor Brian Armstrong, Lead in Digital Business at Wits Business School; Dr Ryan van den Bergh, ME: Group Technology; and Dr Schalk Heunis, ME: Big Data, AI and RPA – discussed the responsible use of AI and other technologies and their potential impacts on the workforce and the business. The panel was facilitated by Taki Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer Vodacom SA External Affairs Director. The Chairman, Mr Saki Macozoma, highlighted the importance of leaders being both visionary and ethical in the digital age.

Certified ethics officers

Reflecting our commitment to ethics, we proudly announce that all our in-country ethics and compliance officers have completed the Ethics Officers Certification Programme at The Institute of Ethics (TEI). This certification equips our leaders to address emerging digital ethics risks and opportunities, thereby enhancing our integrated governance and control environment.

Furthermore, as part of the simplification process, we have added our Declaration of Interest register to the Engage app, allowing employees to declare their interest on their phones. We will also be adding the ethics advice line on the app to make it easy for staff to seek advice when in doubt.

We look forward to collaborating with the relevant business units to develop a Doing What’s Right Ethics Management Programme, which includes the Digital Ethics Programme for Vodacom as a TechCo.