Nairobi — Equity Group has partnered with AfricaNenda Foundation and the Gates Foundation to accelerate the rollout of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across Africa, in a move aimed at expanding financial inclusion and strengthening cross-border digital payments.

The three organisations said the partnership will support the development of interoperable payment systems, government and merchant payment solutions, regulatory engagement and policy advocacy to speed up digital transformation across the continent.

AfricaNenda estimates that nearly 400 million Africans remain excluded from formal financial services.

As part of the initiative, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Mwangi was appointed Africa's first Continental Digital Public Infrastructure Champion.

He said the initiative would help make digital financial services more accessible by fostering collaboration between governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector.

AfricaNenda said the partnership aims to develop practical digital infrastructure models that can be scaled across 20 to 30 African markets. The Gates Foundation added that its support is intended to ensure digital infrastructure translates into improved financial inclusion and wider access to essential services across the continent.