Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
In performing their job duties, eWAKA employees should always act lawfully, ethically, and in the best interests of eWAKA. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) sets out basic guiding principles. Employees who are unsure whether their conduct or the conduct of their coworkers complies with the Code of Conduct should contact their manager or a member of the management team.
I. Compliance with Laws, Rules, and Regulations
Employees must follow applicable laws, rules, and regulations at all times. Employees with questions about the applicability or interpretation of any law, rule or regulation, should contact the Legal Department.
II. Conflicts of Interest
In performing their job duties, employees are expected to use their judgment to act, at all times and in all ways, in the best interests of eWAKA. A “conflict of interest” exists when an employee’s personal interest interferes with the best interests of eWAKA. For example, a conflict of interest may occur when an employee or a family member receives a personal benefit as a result of the employee’s position with eWAKA. A conflict of interest may also arise from an employee’s business or personal relationship with a customer, supplier, competitor, business partner, or other employees, if that relationship impairs the employee’s objective business judgment.
Because an employee’s receipt of gifts or services could create a conflict of interest, the Legal Department will develop and maintain guidelines for disclosure of gifts or services received from customers, suppliers, competitors, or business partners.
Employees should attempt to avoid conflicts of interest and employees who believe a conflict of interest may exist should promptly notify the Legal Department. The Legal Department will consider the facts and circumstances of the situation to decide whether corrective or mitigating action is appropriate.
V. Health and Safety
eWAKA provides a clean, safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries, and unsafe conditions, procedures, or behaviors.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees must report to work in a condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
VI. Price Fixing
Employees may not discuss prices or make any formal or informal agreement with any competitor regarding prices, discounts, business terms, or the market segments and channels in which the Company competes, where the purpose or result of such discussion or agreement would be inconsistent with applicable antitrust laws. If you have any questions about this section or the applicable antitrust laws, please contact the Legal Department.
VII. Bribery; Payments to Government Personnel
Employees may not bribe anyone for any reason, whether in dealings with governments or the private sector. The Swiss Criminal Code, Articles 322ter to 322quater and Article 322septies, the Anti-Corruption And Economic Crimes Act of Kenya, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar laws in other countries prohibit offering or giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to government officials in order to obtain or retain business. Employees may not make illegal payments to government officials themselves or through a third party. Employees who are conducting business with the government officials of any country must contact the Legal Department for guidance on the law governing payments and gifts to governmental officials.
VIII. Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Financial Integrity
EWAKA’s books, records, accounts, and financial statements must be maintained in appropriate detail, must properly reflect the Company’s transactions, and must conform both to applicable law and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Further, EWAKA’s public financial reports must contain full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure as required by law. The Company’s financial, accounting, and legal groups are responsible for procedures designed to assure proper internal and disclosure controls, and all employees should cooperate with these procedures.
IX. Questions; Reporting Violations
Employees should speak with anyone in their management chain or the Legal Department when they have a question about the application of the Code of Conduct or when in doubt about how to properly act in a particular situation.
The EWAKA Legal Department has developed and maintains reporting guidelines for employees who wish to report violations of the Code of Conduct. These guidelines include information on making reports to the Legal Department and to an independent third party such as the Company’s external counsel.
EWAKA will not allow retaliation against an employee for reporting misconduct by others in good faith. Employees must cooperate in internal investigations of potential or alleged misconduct.
Employees who violate the Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
X. Periodic Certification
The Legal Department will designate certain employees who, based on their level of responsibility or the nature of their work, will be required to certify periodically that they have read, understand, and complied with the Code of Conduct.
XI. Board of Directors and Advisory Board
With respect to their service on behalf of the Company, EWAKA’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board must comply with the relevant provisions of this Code of Conduct, including conflicts of interest, insider trading, and compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
XII. Waivers
Waivers of this Code of Conduct may be made only in a manner permitted by law.
5 January 2022
