Equity, AfricaNenda and Gates Foundation Partner to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure as Dr. James Mwangi Named Continental DPI Champion
Equity Group Holdings, AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa. The collaboration aims to expand financial inclusion, strengthen digital payment ecosystems and support Africa’s digital transformation through stronger public-private partnerships while modernizing African economies.
At the same time, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, has been appointed the Continental Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Champion in recognition of his leadership in advancing inclusive digital financial ecosystems and his commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking during the MOU signing, Dr. Robert Ochola, Chief Executive Officer at AfricaNenda, said the partnership builds on Equity Group’s proven leadership in expanding financial inclusion and will help accelerate the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa.
“Equity has transformed banking and financial inclusion for millions of Africans. 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,” he said.
He added: “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. We are delighted that Dr. James Mwangi has accepted the role of championing this initiative across the continent.”
The collaboration will combine AfricaNenda’s technical expertise, policy expertise, and ecosystem leadership with Equity Group’s extensive regional footprint, digital payments capabilities, and implementation experience to accelerate the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa.
Together, the partners will support the development of interoperable payment systems, digital payment innovation, government and merchant payment solutions, cross-border payment ecosystems, regulatory engagement, technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and policy advocacy.
Robert Karanja, Founder and Senior Advisor at DPI4Africa and Board Member of the Mojaloop Foundation, said accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa will require strong private-sector leadership working alongside governments to drive adoption, innovation and financial inclusion.
“Today, we are presenting a symbolic plaque bearing Dr. Mwangi’s name in recognition of his appointment as Africa’s inaugural Digital Public Infrastructure Champion. This honor reflects his leadership and commitment to advancing digital transformation across the continent. His leadership will bring together a coalition of willing partners to accelerate the adoption and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa,” he said.
In this role, Dr. Mwangi will champion interoperable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to accelerate financial inclusion, expand access to digital services, and unlock opportunities for millions of Africans. By lowering the cost of accessing trusted digital platforms, DPI will empower young innovators and entrepreneurs to build scalable digital solutions, access regional markets, and create jobs, driving Africa’s digital economy and inclusive growth. It will also enable seamless cross-border payments, t