Equity Group, AfricaNenda launch pan-African digital infrastructure drive to boost financial inclusion

July 7, 2026 in Business, Companies, Finance, Trade & Industry by Editor

Equity Group, AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation have launched a continent-wide Digital Public Infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding financial inclusion, enabling seamless cross-border payments and supporting Africa’s digital economy, with Rwanda becoming the first implementation market.

 

A new partnership between Equity Group, the AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation is set to accelerate the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, in a move expected to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen digital payments and support regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The initiative, unveiled in Nairobi on Tuesday, will begin in Rwanda before expanding to the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African markets. It aims to bring together governments, regulators and the private sector to build interoperable payment systems, trusted digital identity platforms and secure data exchange infrastructure that makes financial services more accessible and affordable.

The partnership comes as African governments intensify efforts to digitise public services and financial systems despite nearly 400 million people across the continent remaining excluded from formal financial services.

As part of the initiative, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi has been appointed Africa’s inaugural Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion. In the role, he will advocate for stronger collaboration between governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.

AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the partnership reflects the growing importance of private-sector participation in delivering digital public infrastructure at scale.

“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,” he said.

The partners will focus on expanding interoperable payment systems, strengthening merchant and government payment platforms, supporting cross-border payment ecosystems, providing technical assistance and engaging policymakers to speed up adoption across African economies.

Dr. Mwangi described digital public infrastructure as the foundation for the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

“Digital Public Infrastructure provides the foundation for inclusive digital financial services that reach every citizen. We will continue working with governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector because this infrastructure has the potential to transform economies, expand opportunity and improve lives across Africa,” he said.

The collaboration is also expected to advance implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by enabling seamless cross-border payments, trusted digital identity systems and secure exchange of information among participating countries. These capabilities are expected to lower transaction costs, improve business efficiency and unlock new commercial opportunities for enterprises operating across borders.

The Gates Foundation said its support is aimed at ensuring digital public infrastructure delivers tangible benefits for citizens by making digital services more inclusive and accessible rather than remaining solely a technology initiative.

Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa at the Gates Foundation, Nanjira Sambuli, said the success of digital public infrastructure should ultimately be measured by its ability to improve people’s daily lives and expand access to financial services.

AfricaNenda currently works with more than 30 central banks across Africa to strengthen inclusive instant payment systems and believes the partnership with Equity Group will help accelerate practical implementation models that can be replicated across the continent.

The announcement reinforces growing momentum behind public-private partnerships as African countries invest in interoperable digital infrastructure to drive financial inclusion, regional integration and long-term economic growth.