Equity Group, the AfricaNenda Foundation, and the Gates Foundation have launched a partnership to accelerate the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, beginning with Rwanda before expanding to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other markets, in a push to broaden financial inclusion and strengthen cross-border digital payments.
The initiative will bring together governments, regulators, and the private sector to develop interoperable digital payment systems, trusted digital identity platforms, and secure data exchange infrastructure aimed at making financial services more accessible across the continent.
As part of the partnership, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi was appointed Africa’s inaugural Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion, a role that will see him advocate for stronger collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector in advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
The partners said the initiative comes as Africa continues to expand mobile money adoption, but nearly 400 million people remain excluded from formal financial services. The programme will focus on developing interoperable payment systems, strengthening merchant and government payment solutions, supporting cross-border payment ecosystems, providing technical assistance, and engaging policymakers to accelerate adoption of digital public infrastructure.
Dr. Robert Ochola, Chief Executive Officer of AfricaNenda Foundation, said the partnership builds on Equity Group’s experience in advancing financial inclusion and highlights the role of the private sector in implementing digital public infrastructure.
“Digital Public Infrastructure cannot succeed without private-sector participation,” Ochola said. “Equity brings the execution capability, market reach and innovation needed to move this agenda from policy to implementation.”
Dr. James Mwangi said digital public infrastructure provides 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,” Mwangi said. “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.”
The partners said the initiative will also support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enabling seamless cross-border payments, trusted digital identity systems, and secure information exchange between participating countries. The systems are expected to reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities for businesses operating across African markets.
Nanjira Sambuli, Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa at the Gates Foundation, said the foundation’s support is intended to ensure digital public infrastructure delivers practical benefits for citizens.
“The true value of Digital Public Infrastructure lies in expanding financial inclusion and improving people’s daily lives through accessible digital services,” Sambuli said.
AfricaNenda said it currently works with more than 30 central banks across Africa to strengthen inclusive instant payment systems and expects the collaboration with Equity Group to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure models that can be replicated across multiple African markets.
The partnership reflects growing efforts to deepen public-private collaboration in Africa’s digital economy, where interoperable payment systems and trusted digital identity are increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure for financial inclusion, regional integration, and economic growth.
