By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
AfricaNenda Foundation, the
Gates Foundation and Equity Group Holdings have entered into a strategic
partnership to accelerate the development and implementation of Digital Public
Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, with the aim of expanding financial inclusion,
strengthening digital payment ecosystems and advancing the continent’s digital
transformation.
The partnership, announced
in Nairobi, will combine AfricaNenda’s technical expertise and ecosystem
leadership with Equity Group’s regional presence and digital payments
capabilities to promote practical implementation of interoperable digital
infrastructure across African markets.
As part of the initiative,
Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. James Mwangi,
has been appointed Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion in
recognition of his role in advancing inclusive digital financial ecosystems across
the continent.
Speaking during the signing
ceremony, AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the
collaboration builds on Equity Group’s record in promoting financial inclusion
and is intended to accelerate the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure in
between 20 and 30 African countries.
He noted that while digital
financial services have expanded significantly, nearly 400 million Africans
remain outside the formal financial system, underscoring the need for stronger
public-private partnerships to move digital infrastructure initiatives from
policy to implementation.
Under the agreement, the
partners will support the development of interoperable payment systems, digital
payment innovation, cross-border payment ecosystems, government and merchant
payment solutions, regulatory engagement, technical assistance, policy advocacy
and knowledge sharing.
The initiative also seeks to
strengthen the digital foundations required to support the implementation of
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through trusted digital
identities, secure data exchange and seamless cross-border payments.
Robert Karanja, Founder and
Senior Advisor at DPI4Africa and Board Member of the Mojaloop Foundation,
described Dr. Mwangi’s appointment as a recognition of his leadership in
digital transformation and said his new role would help mobilize governments, regulators,
development partners and the private sector to accelerate DPI adoption across
Africa.
Accepting the appointment,
Dr. Mwangi said Digital Public Infrastructure represents the foundation for the
next phase of Africa’s economic transformation by enabling inclusive digital
financial services and expanding access to trusted digital platforms.
He emphasized that the
initiative is intended to complement, rather than replace, government-led
digital infrastructure efforts by demonstrating how private sector
collaboration can accelerate the deployment of digital identity systems,
interoperable payments and other essential digital services.
The Gates Foundation said it
is supporting the partnership because the ultimate measure of Digital Public
Infrastructure lies in its ability to improve people's lives through greater
financial inclusion and broader access to digital services.
The partnership further
strengthens collaboration between Equity Group, AfricaNenda, governments and
regulators across the continent, with a focus on demonstrating how Digital
Public Infrastructure can drive inclusive economic growth, expand financial access
and support Africa’s digital economy.
