By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, July 6 ,2026 - Equity Group Holdings has entered into a strategic partnership with the AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation to accelerate the rollout of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, in a move aimed at bringing formal financial services to nearly 400 million unbanked Africans while strengthening the continent's digital economy.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Nairobi, bringing together AfricaNenda's expertise in digital financial systems, the Gates Foundation's support for inclusive financial services, and Equity Group's extensive banking network and digital payments infrastructure operating across several African markets.
As part of the initiative, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi was named Africa's first Continental Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Champion, recognising his role in advancing financial inclusion and digital transformation across the continent.
In his new role, Mwangi will work with governments, regulators, development partners and private sector players to promote interoperable digital payment systems, trusted digital identities and secure data-sharing platforms.
Speaking during the MoU signing, AfricaNenda Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the collaboration seeks to address one of Africa's biggest financial inclusion gaps.
"Yet nearly 400 million people across the continent remain excluded from formal financial services. Through this partnership, we want to build practical Digital Public Infrastructure models and scale them across 20 to 30 African markets," Ochola said.
He added that successful implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure requires strong collaboration between governments and private sector institutions.
"Digital Public Infrastructure cannot succeed without private-sector participation. Equity brings the execution capability, market reach, and innovation needed to move this agenda from policy to implementation," he said.
Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Mwangi said the partnership aligns with Equity Group's long-term mission of promoting inclusive economic growth across Africa through technology and innovation.
"Championing Africa's economic transformation has always been our purpose. Digital Public Infrastructure provides the foundation for the next phase of that transformation by enabling inclusive digital financial services that reach every citizen," Mwangi said.
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He added that the continent's future economic growth will depend on strong collaboration between governments and the private sector.
"I will continue working with governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector to accelerate this agenda because I firmly believe Digital Public Infrastructure has the power to transform economies, expand opportunity and improve lives across Africa," he said.
The partners said the initiative will focus on developing interoperable payment systems, expanding digital payment innovation, strengthening government-to-person and merchant payment solutions, promoting cross-border payment ecosystems, providing technical assistance, supporting regulatory reforms and encouraging knowledge sharing among African countries.
Digital Public Infrastructure refers to the foundational digital systems that enable citizens to securely access services through digital identity platforms, interoperable payment networks and trusted data exchange systems. Globally, countries such as India have used DPI to significantly expand financial inclusion, improve public service delivery and lower the cost of digital transactions.
For Africa, the initiative is expected to support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating seamless cross-border payments, lowering transaction costs and enabling businesses to trade more efficiently across national borders. It is also expected to provide young innovators and entrepreneurs with a digital foundation on which to build new financial technologies and digital services.
The partnership builds on Equity Group's broader digital transformation strategy and comes as African governments increasingly invest in digital public infrastructure to improve financial inclusion, modernise public services and accelerate economic growth.
Leveraging Equity's regional footprint alongside AfricaNenda's technical expertise could significantly expand access to formal financial services for millions of underserved individuals and small businesses across the continent.