Dr. James Mwangi Honoured in the 2019 Bloomberg 50

Bloomberg Businessweek has honoured Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to the 2019 Bloomberg 50. This is an honorary list of fifty innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who have impacted the global business landscape in measurable ways. Dr. Mwangi was honoured alongside environmental activist Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, comedian Jon Stewart, singer Rihanna, CNN President and Warner Media Chairman Jeff Zucker, founder of Fairfight Stacey Abrams and Gymnast Simone Biles, among others. 

“I am honoured to be part of this incredible group of people, who are changing the world in significant ways and driving their important messages home, with commitment and passion,” said Dr. Mwangi.  “Our vision is to be the champion of socio-economic prosperity of the people of Africa by providing the capacity, tools and technologies to do so. At Equity Group,  we belief in doing well by doing good, and that every person on our African continent should have access to financial solutions that give  them the capability to transform their lives, have dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation.”  He added:  “The Group places equity and inclusion as well as social good as an essential core philosophy and leverages our corporate resources to deliver value propositions to our communities.”  Equity Group’s innovative and competitive products are tailored towards empowering its   consumers, businesses and communities whilst also delivering significant value to its stakeholders. 

Thought leadership

The Bloomberg 50 represents the most influential thought leaders in business who merit recognition because of their achievements. It highlights inspirational innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who are changing the game in quantifiable ways – from finance to fashion, entertainment to manufacturing, biotech as well as philanthropy. Each year, The Bloomberg 50 are celebrated in a special issue of Bloomberg Businessweek across all platforms. Bloomberg Businessweek is a weekly publication available in over 150 countries across the world. The publication focuses heavily on research and in providing a detailed analysis of trends in global economics, companies and industries, politics and policy, technology, markets and finance, innovation and design as well as   lifestyle. 

Dr. Mwangi is being lauded for his contribution in steering Equity Bank to have a presence in the greater Central and Southern Africa region. This is through the bold move of acquiring stakes in DRC, Mozambique and Zambia’s banking sector through transactions with the Banque Commercial du Congo (BCDC) and Atlas Mara Ltd respectively. The bank has   also opened a representative office in Ethiopia.  It has therefore become   one of the biggest banks with regard to customer penetration in Eastern and Central Africa. 

In addition, Dr. Mwangi is the founder of Equity Group Foundation, Equity Group’s not for profit implementing social arm set up with the aim of championing the transformation of lives and livelihoods through the development and implementation of innovative programmes that leverage existing infrastructure and link partners to the bottom of the pyramid. Since its inception, the Foundation has significantly enhanced the coordination of corporate social responsibility interventions for Equity Group Holdings Plc.

Dr. Mwangi, a celebrated African entrepreneur has over the years been recognized locally and globally for his contribution to the socioeconomic transformation of the people of Africa.