Equity Group Holdings Chief Executive Officer Dr James Mwangi./HANDOUT
Equity Group Holdings Chief Executive Officer Dr James Mwangi has been appointed to the South-North Commission on Development, joining a group of global leaders tasked with shaping a new framework for cooperation between the Global South and North.
The independent commission, established by the German government, was unveiled in Berlin on October 5 by its co-chairs, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla.
Dr Mwangi is one of two business leaders appointed to the commission and the only African representative from the private sector. He joins World Bank President Ajay Banga, World Trade Organization Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Denis Mukwege, among other former government leaders, academics and civil society representatives.
A majority of the commissioners are from the Global South, reflecting the commission's focus on reshaping international development partnerships.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Mwangi said the commission had an opportunity to move beyond the traditional aid-based relationship between the Global North and South.
"Africa should no longer be seen through the lens of aid. It is a source of growth, talent, innovation and investment. I am honoured to join the Co-Chairs and my fellow Commissioners. I will bring what Equity has learned about mobilising domestic and global capital, backing entrepreneurs and small businesses, and making financial and economic inclusion a platform for jobs and shared prosperity," Dr Mwangi said.
He said he would draw on Equity's experience in mobilising domestic and international capital, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and expanding financial and economic inclusion.
The commission builds on the legacy of the North-South Commission chaired by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt, which was established in 1977 to examine ways of improving cooperation between developed and developing countries.
The new commission will hold its first meeting in Bangkok on October 16 and 17, alongside the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings. It is expected to publish interim findings in 2027, 50 years after the Brandt Commission began its work, before issuing a final report at the end of 2028.
Its recommendations are expected to contribute to discussions on the global development agenda beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Mwangi brings more than three decades of experience in financial services and development to the commission. Under his leadership, Equity has expanded its operations across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, serving more than 23 million customers.
Dr Mwangi will serve on the commission in his personal capacity.
His appointment comes as Equity continues to position private-sector financing and financial inclusion as tools for development in Africa.
Among its initiatives is the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, a $6 billion programme that aims to reach 100 million customers and five million borrowing businesses by 2030, while connecting businesses and producers to regional and global value chains.
The South-North Commission brings together leaders from international institutions, government, business, academia and civil society, including former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Touré, former Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya and former Brazilian Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira.
Mexico-based business leader Altagracia Gómez Sierra is the other business representative on the commission.
