Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi has called for stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and technology companies to help unlock Africa’s digital economy and boost trade across the continent.
Speaking during a high-level Tech Breakfast hosted by Equity Group on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum 2026, Dr James Mwangi said Africa’s economic future will depend on how effectively the continent combines technology and finance to create opportunities for businesses and young entrepreneurs.
“We need an intersection of technology and money,” Dr Mwangi said.
“We want to enable trade across the continent and create platforms that empower businesses and entrepreneurs to scale.”
James Mwangi Pushes for Technology-Driven Trade Across Africa
The breakfast forum, themed “From Fintech to Futuretech: Scaling Africa’s Digital Economy,” brought together leaders from government, banking, technology, and innovation sectors to discuss Africa’s digital transformation and the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth.
Dr Mwangi said Africa must invest more in innovation and digital systems that can expand financial inclusion and support enterprise growth, particularly among young people.
“We want the youth to leverage technology to develop their enterprises and participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” he said.
He added that Africa’s transformation would require institutions willing to build shared infrastructure and embrace stronger partnerships across sectors.
“The Africa CEO Forum has been about scaling, and this is an invitation for all of us to scale together, partnering to build public infrastructure that serves the entire continent,” James Mwangi said.
The discussions also explored the role of emerging technologies such as blockchain, digital assets, and decentralised infrastructure in improving transparency, efficiency, and access to financial services across African markets.
Rwanda’s ICT and Innovation Minister Paula Ingabire said African countries must take greater ownership of their digital transformation by building systems that create value for local economies and citizens.
She noted that digital infrastructure, including cross-border banking systems, digital identity frameworks, and data governance systems, will play a key role in shaping Africa’s future economy.
“We need to start setting the pace on how technology empowers us and builds value for our people,” she said.
“Every generation of technology has promised inclusion. We now need to embrace these technologies intentionally and work together to build systems that truly expand opportunity.”
The forum comes at a time when African governments and businesses are increasingly pushing for stronger regional integration, digital connectivity, and technology-driven trade to support economic growth across the continent.
READ ALSO: Equity Bank Expands Fanikisha banking Programme to Support Women-Led Businesses
