Equity Group Holdings, AfricaNenda Foundation, and the Gates Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, in a move aimed at deepening financial inclusion, strengthening digital payment ecosystems, and supporting the continent’s digital transformation.
The collaboration brings together AfricaNenda’s expertise in digital payment systems and policy development with Equity Group’s extensive regional banking network and digital implementation capabilities. Together, the partners plan to expand interoperable payment systems, improve cross-border payment infrastructure, promote digital identity solutions, and strengthen trusted data exchange across African markets.
A key objective of the initiative is to address the financial exclusion of nearly 400 million Africans who remain outside the formal financial system. By combining public-sector collaboration with private-sector execution, the partnership aims to build scalable Digital Public Infrastructure models that can be replicated across 20 to 30 African countries.
As part of the agreement, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, has been appointed Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion. In this role, he will work with governments, regulators, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders to advance the adoption of interoperable digital systems that support inclusive economic growth and regional integration.
The partnership is also expected to enhance implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by making cross-border transactions faster, more secure, and more efficient. Beyond payments, the initiative will encourage innovation in digital identity, government payment systems, and regulatory frameworks that enable seamless digital services across the continent.
For the Gates Foundation, the collaboration reflects its broader commitment to ensuring Digital Public Infrastructure delivers practical benefits by expanding financial inclusion and improving livelihoods. Meanwhile, AfricaNenda believes stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector will accelerate Africa’s transition toward a more connected and inclusive digital economy.
The agreement reinforces the growing recognition that Digital Public Infrastructure is becoming a critical foundation for Africa’s future economy, enabling governments, businesses, and citizens to access faster, safer, and more inclusive digital services.
