Advertisement Equity Group, AfricaNenda Partner to Accelerate Africas Digital Public InfrastructureDr. James Mwangi named Continental DPI Champion as new partnership targets financial inclusion and digital transformation across Africa.Equity Group Holdings has partnered with AfricaNenda Foundation, with support from the Gates Foundation, to accelerate Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa.The partnership aims to expand financial inclusion. It also seeks to strengthen digital payment systems and accelerate the continents digital transformation.At the same time, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi has been appointed Continental Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Champion. He will lead advocacy and collaboration to advance Africas digital infrastructure agenda.Partnership Focuses on Financial InclusionSpeaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), AfricaNenda Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Ochola said the partnership builds on Equity Groups record of expanding financial inclusion.He noted that nearly 400 million Africans still lack access to formal financial services.Through this partnership, we want to build practical Digital Public Infrastructure models and scale them across 20 to 30 African markets, said Ochola.He added that private-sector participation will determine the success of Digital Public Infrastructure across the continent.Equity brings the execution capability, market reach and innovation needed to move this agenda from policy to implementation, he said.Supporting Africas Digital EconomyThe partners will combine AfricaNendas technical and policy expertise with Equity Groups regional footprint and digital payments experience.Together, they will develop interoperable payment systems and digital payment solutions. They will also support government payment platforms, merchant payments and cross-border payment ecosystems.In addition, the partners will provide technical assistance, strengthen regulatory engagement and promote policy advocacy across African markets.Robert Karanja, Founder and Senior Advisor at DPI4Africa and Board Member of the Mojaloop Foundation, said Africa needs stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector.According to Karanja, Dr. Mwangis appointment will help bring together institutions committed to accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure across the continent.Equity Group, AfricaNenda Partner to Accelerate Africas Digital Public InfrastructureDr. Mwangi Takes Continental RoleAs Continental DPI Champion, Dr. Mwangi will advocate for interoperable digital infrastructure that expands financial inclusion and improves access to digital services.He will also promote trusted digital identities, secure data exchange and seamless cross-border payments. These systems are expected to support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).Furthermore, the initiative aims to lower the cost of accessing trusted digital platforms. It also seeks to help entrepreneurs develop digital solutions, reach regional markets and create jobs.Speaking after accepting the appointment, Dr. Mwangi described Digital Public Infrastructure as the foundation of Africas next stage of economic transformation.Championing Africas 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, he said.He added that governments would continue to own public infrastructure. Meanwhile, the private sector would accelerate implementation through innovation and investment.Gates Foundation Backs the InitiativeNanjira Sambuli, Senior Advocacy Officer for Africa on Inclusive Financial Systems and Digital Public Infrastructure at the Gates Foundation, said digital infrastructure should ultimately improve peoples lives.Building Digital Public Infrastructure is only the first step. The real measure of success is whether people use it to improve their lives, she said.She added that the Foundation supports the partnership because Equity Group has consistently championed financial inclusion across Africa.Advancing Africas Digital FutureDespite rapid growth in mobile money, hundreds of millions of Africans remain outside the formal financial system.Therefore, interoperable digital infrastructure remains critical to expanding access to financial services.AfricaNenda currently works with more than 30 central banks across the continent. Consequently, the organisation believes the partnership with Equity Group will accelerate practical implementation through stronger public-private collaboration.Ultimately, the partners aim to demonstrate how Digital Public Infrastructure can strengthen cross-border payments, expand financial inclusion and drive Africas digital transformation.The post Equity Group, AfricaNenda Partner to Accelerate Africas Digital Public Infrastructure appeared first on Africa Business News.