en.Wedoany.com Reported - The AfricaNenda Foundation has established a strategic partnership with Equity Group Holdings to accelerate the deployment of digital public infrastructure across the African continent. Supported by the Gates Foundation, this initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion, modernize payment systems, and drive the digital transformation of Africa's economy.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is regarded as the lifeline of the digital economy, enabling countries and private actors to build interconnected, reliable, and secure services that reach more citizens. The AfricaNenda Foundation is an organization focused on accelerating the development of inclusive instant payment systems in Africa, while Equity Group Holdings is a Kenyan banking group operating across multiple countries in East and Central Africa. The partnership, announced on July 6, aims to combine AfricaNenda's technical and regulatory expertise with Equity Group's experience in digital financial services to accelerate the deployment of interoperable platforms. Key areas of focus include supporting digital payment systems, solutions for government agencies and merchants, and mechanisms to facilitate cross-border payments.
The Gates Foundation will leverage its commitment to inclusive financial systems and digital public infrastructure to support this partnership, with the goal of ensuring these infrastructures deliver tangible benefits to people, particularly by improving access to financial services and basic digital services. The partners will also strengthen collaboration with governments, central banks, and regulators by sharing expertise, providing technical assistance, and advocating for policies conducive to the adoption of digital public infrastructure.
According to AfricaNenda, despite progress in mobile payments, nearly 400 million people in Africa still lack access to formal financial services. The organization believes that open and interoperable digital infrastructure is a key lever for expanding financial service coverage, reducing transaction costs, and stimulating innovation. The partnership aims to develop models that can be replicated in 20 to 30 African countries. Currently, AfricaNenda has collaborated with over 30 central banks to support the development of interoperable payment infrastructure across the continent.
The partners believe that digital public infrastructure—particularly digital identity systems, interoperable payment platforms, and secure data exchange mechanisms—should facilitate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by simplifying cross-border payments and strengthening regional economic integration.
