Equity Group Holdings, AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation have partnered to accelerate the development and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, with Rwanda set to become the first country to roll out the initiative.

Announced on July 7, the partnership seeks to expand financial inclusion, strengthen digital payment ecosystems and support Africa’s digital transformation through increased public-private collaboration, according to signatories.

Under the initiative, Rwanda will pioneer the continental rollout of the DPI partnership under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, with DR Congo expected to follow before expansion to other African markets.

At the same time, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, has been appointed the Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion, a role aimed at advancing interoperable digital systems, expanding access to digital services and promoting financial inclusion across Africa.

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Speaking during the MoU signing, AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the partnership builds on Equity Group’s experience in expanding financial inclusion and will support the practical adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure across the continent.

"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.

He added: "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.”

The partnership will combine AfricaNenda’s technical and policy expertise with Equity Group’s extensive regional footprint, digital payments capabilities and implementation experience to accelerate DPI adoption.

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The partners will focus on areas including interoperable payment systems, digital payment innovation, government and merchant payment solutions, cross-border payment ecosystems, regulatory engagement, technical assistance, knowledge sharing and policy advocacy.

How Mwangi&039;s new role could expand digital access, innovation and financial inclusion

Robert Karanja, Founder and Senior Advisor at DPI4Africa and Board Member of the Mojaloop Foundation, said accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa requires strong private-sector leadership working alongside governments to drive adoption, innovation and financial inclusion.

"Today, we are presenting a symbolic plaque bearing Dr. Mwangi's name in recognition of his appointment as Africa's inaugural Digital Public Infrastructure Champion,” he said.

"This honour reflects his leadership and commitment to advancing digital transformation across the continent. His leadership will bring together a coalition of willing partners to accelerate the adoption and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure across Africa.”

In his new role, Dr. Mwangi will champion interoperable Digital Public Infrastructure to expand access to digital services and unlock opportunities for millions of Africans.

The initiative is expected to lower the cost of accessing trusted digital platforms, enabling innovators and entrepreneurs to develop scalable digital solutions, access regional markets and create jobs.

It will also support seamless cross-border payments, trusted digital identities and secure data exchange, contributing to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deeper regional economic integration.

Speaking after the presentation and signing of the MoU, Dr. Mwangi said the partnership aligns with Equity Group’s mission of transforming lives and supporting Africa’s socio-economic development.

"Championing Africa's economic transformation has always been our purpose. Digital Public Infrastructure provides the foundation for the next phase of that transformation by enabling inclusive digital financial services that reach every citizen. With humility, I accept this appointment to be the champion of Continental Digital Public Infrastructure,” said Dr. Mwangi.

"I will continue working with governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector to accelerate this agenda because I firmly believe Digital Public Infrastructure has the power to transform economies, expand opportunity and improve lives across Africa.”

He added: "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.”

"Just as physical infrastructure transformed economies in the past, Digital Public Infrastructure will modernise and transform Africa's future. Infrastructure alone is not enough; its value comes from the solutions innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses built on top of it.”

Gates Foundation supports DPI initiative

Nanjira Sambuli, Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa (Inclusive Financial Systems & Digital Public Infrastructure) at the Gates Foundation, said the organisation supports the partnership because DPI must translate into practical benefits for communities.

"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, an institution that has consistently championed financial inclusion and socio-economic transformation across Africa,” she said.

Addressing Africa’s financial inclusion gap

Despite progress in mobile money adoption, hundreds of millions of Africans remain excluded from formal financial services, highlighting the need for interoperable digital infrastructure that enables wider participation in the digital economy.

AfricaNenda works with more than 30 central banks across Africa and says the partnership with Equity Group will help accelerate the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure through stronger public-private collaboration.

The collaboration also strengthens Equity Group’s engagement with the Gates Foundation ecosystem while positioning the financial services group as a private-sector implementation partner for DPI across Africa.

Through the partnership, AfricaNenda and Equity Group will work with governments, regulators and other stakeholders to demonstrate how Digital Public Infrastructure can expand financial inclusion, strengthen cross-border payments and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.