Telkom's contribution to the SDGs

The 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. The table below provides an overview of our contribution to the SDGs. Cross-references indicate further information to be found in this report.

While developing the ESG strategy, Telkom adopted an additional four SDGs (SDG 1, SDG 6, SDG 10 and SDG 16) that it can support and influence. The ESG strategy is discussed below.

Quality education


Subtargets	Our contribution	Telkom KPIs
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 contribute materially to improving proficiency in mathematics and science at secondary school level and supporting teacher development in pedagogical methods and subject content (specifically in science, technology, English and mathematics). Telkom Foundation invested R68 million in education, digital skills and social development.	Social and relationship capital Learners who complete the National Senior Certificate Proficiency in mathematics and science Investment in digital skills Teachers empowered through improved teaching practice in science, technology, English and mathematics
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.	By providing integrated ICT solutions for teachers and learners, we bridge the digital divide and enhance the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.	Social and relationship capital Zero-rated education sites Corporate social investment in school infrastructure Investment in digital skills

Decent work and economic growth


Decent work and economic growth	Our contribution	Telkom KPIs
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.	We enable economic growth through our technology-driven products and services. We enhance our contribution by continuously investing in our network and infrastructure. We invest in innovation and launch new value propositions that support economic growth and long-term sustainability.	Productive capital Capital expenditure Network coverage Openserve's network reliability indicators
8.3 Promote developmentoriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of SMMEs, including through access to financial services.	Our procurement policy supports inclusive growth through B-BBEE, ESD and targeted investment. We support entrepreneurs and small businesses through tailored e-commerce and digital solutions.	Social and relationship capital Total ESD spend Number of SMMEs impacted and/or supported Number of entrepreneurs supported through the Township Innovation Incubator Programme Rand value invested in development programmes Rand value of financing provided to SMMEs Direct and indirect jobs created Number of lives impacted Revenue generated by SMMEs Number of SMMEs onboarded into Telkom's supply chain
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.	We are an equal opportunity employer regardless of gender, race or physical ability. We contribute materially through quality education, skills development programmes, our remuneration policies, workforce diversity and investment in ESD.	Social and relationship capital Number of jobs created (direct or indirect, including new hires) Human capital Employee voluntary turnover Employee diversity statistics (including differently abled employees) Number of learnerships and internships 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 and support a greater number of indirect jobs by providing business to local organisations and through our ESD programmes (see SDG 8.5). We develop young people through internships, learnerships and training opportunities.	Human capital New employee hires Employee turnover Employee diversity statistics (including differently abled employees) Training spend Internship programmes Remuneration report summary and standalone 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 provide insurance and funeral cover through our mobile products. Telkom Digital Wallet enables payment and receipt of money for customers. We enable access to financial services through provision of connectivity and infrastructure.	Productive capital Verified users accessing Digital Wallet

Industry, innovation and infrastructure


Subtargets	Our contribution	Telkom KPIs
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 contribute materially by: Extending and upgrading our infrastructure Connecting remote, less-included communities Stimulating economic participation Supporting IoT-related innovation We provide affordable products and services, supporting equitable access to connectivity for all.	Productive capital Active 5G sites FTTH homes passed FTTH homes connected FTTH homes connected (underserved areas) Network uptime performance (access, transport and core)
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 provide other industries with a platform for technological advances through our products and services.	Social and relationship capital Number of SMMEs impacted and/or supported Total ESD spend
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 contribute by leveraging Gyro and its infrastructure upgrades to increase resource-use efficiency and adopt clean and environmentally sound technologies. This includes: Solar PV expansion Energy efficiency initiatives Moving from copper to fibre cables Water and energy smart meters at high-consuming sites to optimise consumption	Natural capital Carbon footprint Water consumption Electricity usage from renewable resources E-waste recycled
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 R&D spending.	We enhance ICT research and innovation through our partnerships and platforms. In FY2025, we invested R46 million in innovation, industry and academic research. Our COEs drive research on impactful technologies, including IoT and AI tools for people with visual and hearing impairments, biodiversity-supporting network technologies, and infrastructure sensors for geotechnical monitoring. Our connectivity infrastructure and modern data centres position us to support distributed AI workloads by global players operating in South Africa.	Social and relationship capital Total invested in innovation and industry research and development Number of students supported through the Telkom CoE Programme

Responsible consumption and production


Subtargets	Our contribution	Telkom KPIs
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. We increased our e-waste recycling to 8 276 tonnes. We sell recovered cabling to a leading recycler. We expanded our reuse initiatives by launching trade-in packages and promoting repair and extended warranty options for devices.	Natural capital Volumes of e-waste disposed of Number of devices eligible for trade-in Reduction in waste to landfill
12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable in accordance with national policies and priorities.	We contribute materially through our procurement practices and terms and conditions. In FY2025, we engaged suppliers on our emissions reduction targets and initiated steps to embed sustainability into sourcing. We will finalise our sustainable procurement strategy and onboard high-impact suppliers onto our ESG reporting platforms in FY2026.	Social and relationship capital Number of SMMEs impacted and/or supported Natural capital Scope 3 GHG emissions