Equity Group, AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the rollout of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, with the initiative expected to expand financial inclusion, strengthen digital payment systems and support the continent’s digital transformation.
The partnership, unveiled in Nairobi on Monday, July 6 will bring together AfricaNenda’s technical expertise and policy leadership with Equity Group’s regional banking network and digital payments capabilities to accelerate the adoption of interoperable digital infrastructure across Africa.
The agreement also saw Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi appointed Africa’s inaugural Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion, a role that will see him lead advocacy efforts and foster collaboration among governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the partnership is designed to address the persistent challenge of financial exclusion despite the continent’s progress in mobile money.
“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.
Ochola said collaboration with the private sector would be critical to ensuring Digital Public Infrastructure moves beyond policy discussions into practical implementation.
“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,” he added.
Under the partnership, the organisations will support interoperable payment systems, digital payment innovation, government and merchant payment solutions, cross-border payment ecosystems, regulatory engagement, technical assistance, knowledge sharing and policy advocacy.
Dr. Mwangi said the partnership aligns with Equity Group’s mission of driving socio-economic transformation across Africa through inclusive financial services.
“Digital Public Infrastructure provides the foundation for the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation by enabling inclusive digital financial services that reach every citizen. With humility, I accept this appointment to champion this agenda across the continent,” he said.
He added that the initiative is intended to complement, rather than replace, government-owned infrastructure.
“We are not asking governments to surrender ownership of public infrastructure. Instead, we are demonstrating how the private sector can partner with governments to accelerate the implementation of critical digital infrastructure such as digital identity and interoperable digital payments,” said Mwangi.
Robert Karanja, Founder and Senior Advisor at DPI4Africa and a board member of the Mojaloop Foundation, said the appointment of Dr. Mwangi reflects the growing importance of private-sector leadership in advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
“His leadership will bring together a coalition of willing partners to accelerate the adoption and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa,” Karanja said.
The Gates Foundation said it is supporting the initiative to ensure digital infrastructure delivers measurable benefits for citizens.
“At the Gates Foundation, we believe building Digital Public Infrastructure is only a first step. The real measure of success is whether people use it to improve their lives. That is why we are proud to support AfricaNenda’s partnership with Equity,” said Nanjira Sambuli, the Foundation’s Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa.
AfricaNenda, which works with more than 30 central banks across the continent, said the partnership is expected to accelerate the practical implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure through stronger public-private collaboration while strengthening cross-border payments and financial inclusion across Africa.
