Nairobi, Kenya – 8th October 2026

Equity Group Holdings CEO and Group Managing Director, Dr. James Mwangi, has been appointed to the prestigious South-North Commission on Development, joining 19 other global leaders including World Bank President Ajay Banga, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege.

The Commission, launched by the German government, is tasked with rethinking how the Global South and North collaborate to shape the next era of international cooperation. It is co-chaired by Olaf Scholz, former Chancellor of Germany, and Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica.

Dr, James Mwangi, The Equity Group CEO.

A Voice for Africa’s Growth

Dr. Mwangi is one of only two business leaders on the Commission and the sole representative from Africa. Commenting on his appointment, he emphasized:

“Africa should no longer be seen through the lens of aid. It is a source of growth, talent, innovation and investment. I will bring what Equity has learned about mobilising capital, backing entrepreneurs, and making financial inclusion a platform for jobs and shared prosperity.”

The Commission builds on the legacy of the Brandt Commission of 1977 and will present interim findings in 2027, with a final report expected in 2028 to inform the global development agenda beyond the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. James Mwangi addressing commissioners in Nairobi

Equity’s Role in Africa’s Development

Alongside his service, Dr. Mwangi reaffirmed Equity’s commitment to transformative initiatives, including:

• Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP): A USD 6 billion plan to reach 100 million customers and 5 million businesses by 2030.
• Private-sector financing for development: Innovative funding models to crowd in domestic savings and private capital.
• Accra Reset: Supporting sovereign capacity and fairer partnerships across the Global South.
• Climate, agriculture, youth, and jobs: Over 30% of Equity’s lending goes to agriculture, with a target of 30% in climate-aligned sectors by 2030.

Equity has already impacted millions, serving 23.3 million customers across six African countries, with 98% of transactions happening outside branches through digital channels.

About Dr. James Mwangi

Dr. Mwangi is a globally recognized business leader with over 35 years of experience in financial inclusion and economic transformation. His leadership has earned him multiple honors, including the Oslo Business for Peace Award, Forbes Africa Person of the Year, and recently, the Freedom of the City of London for his commitment to equitable economic development.

Congratulations on your appointment Dr. James Mwangi

Story by Charles Oduor, Digital Media Practitioner/Editor