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.
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.
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, trusted digital identities, and secure data exchange, supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deepening regional economic integration.
Speaking after the presentation and signing of the MoU, Dr. Mwangi said the partnership aligns naturally with Equity Group’s long-standing mission of transforming lives and promoting Africa’s socio-economic development.
Dr. Mwangi’s appointment aligns with Equity Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), reinforcing his leadership in advancing digital innovation, value addition across sectors such as agriculture and extractives, and inclusive economic transformation through trade and investment, manufacturing, technology and logistics, and social and environmental development.
The appointment also follows the successful conclusion of the Africa Forward Summit, where Dr. Mwangi co-chaired the Business Forum and championed value addition, regional trade, and market access for African products. The summit catalyzed strategic partnerships that have since opened premium international markets for Kenyan specialty teas, culminating in the successful launch of Kenyan Purple Tea in Paris and reinforcing Kenya’s transition from exporting raw commodities to branded, high-value products. These achievements reflect Dr. Mwangi’s leadership in advancing agricultural transformation and value addition across strategic sectors, including tea, coffee, rice, leather, and other agricultural value chains, creating sustainable livelihoods while strengthening Africa’s long-term economic resilience.
Nanjira Sambuli, Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa (Inclusive Financial Systems & Digital Public Infrastructure) at the Gates Foundation, said the foundation is supporting the partnership because digital public infrastructure must translate into real-world impact by expanding financial inclusion and improving people’s lives.
Despite significant progress in mobile money, hundreds of millions of Africans remain excluded from formal financial services, underscoring the need for interoperable digital infrastructure that enables broader participation in the digital economy.
AfricaNenda currently works with more than 30 central banks across Africa and believes that the partnership with Equity Group will accelerate the practical implementation of digital public infrastructure through stronger public-private collaboration.
The collaboration further strengthens Equity Group’s engagement with the Gates Foundation ecosystem while positioning the group as a leading private-sector implementation partner for digital public infrastructure in Africa.
Through the partnership, AfricaNenda and Equity Group will collaborate with governments, regulators, and ecosystem stakeholders to demonstrate how DPI can expand financial inclusion, strengthen cross-border payments, and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
