Equity CEO wins coveted Oslo Business for Peace Award

Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr. James Mwangi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc and Executive Chairman Equity Group Foundation was on September 9 honored with the prestigious 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award.

“Dr. James Mwangi receives the Award for his business-worthy values in championing financial inclusion for all in East and Central Africa. Dr. Mwangi helped achieve a social revolution by bringing banking services to people who previously had limited access to them, bolstering Kenya’s GDP,” said Per Saxegaard, founder of the Oslo Business for Peace Award which is also described as the ‘Nobel Prize for Business.’

Per Saxegaard described Dr. Mwangi as an exceptional entrepreneur, humanitarian and shining example of how business leaders can accelerate change and help solve the world’s problem.

The Award is conferred annually to exceptional individuals who exemplify their outstanding `business worthy’ initiatives ethically by creating economic and societal value. It is the highest global distinction given to a business leader to celebrate their efforts at promoting peace and prosperity for the greater good of society through their everyday business activities.

“They (award winners) have made substantial contributions towards reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 8 – helping to achieve sustained, sustainable and inclusive growth and decent work for all,” he added.

The selection process was done by an independent Award Committee of Nobel Laureates in Peace and Economics, and the award founded to provide those nominated with a platform to share their business wisdom with the world and to help other leaders to understand how ethical and responsible business can contribute to building trust, stability and peace.

On receiving the award Dr Mwangi said, “I dedicate this award to our staff and to the millions of our customers who have continuously inspired us by trusting and believing in our common purpose and dream, that together we can solve our problems by seeking innovative solutions anchored on shared value and prosperity.”

He continued “I share this award with our micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSME customers) who wake up every day to create wealth and opportunities for our society. The award belongs to our youth who embrace the power of opportunity extended by our Wings to Fly and Equity Leaders Programmes to fulfil the promise of a better future for themselves, their families, and our communities.”

” It’s my hope that this award will inspire the world to seize the COVID-19 moment as a call to build a more resilient global economy by putting purpose first and seeking business worthiness by being ethical and people-centered for a more equitable and sustainable world.”

John W.H Denton, The Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hailed Mwangi for winning the award.

Dr. Mwangi was chosen alongside two other global leaders, Joji Felicitas Pantoja, Co-founder of Coffee for Peace in the Philippines, and Marc Benioff in the US, Chair and CEO of Salesforce.

Previous winners for the award include Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, Marilyn Carlson Nelson of Carlson Companies and Elon Musk Founder, CEO of Tesla and lead designer of SpaceX .

Dr. Mwangi is a celebrated African entrepreneur who was named among the 2019 Bloomberg 50 most inspiring people in the world who defined 2019 in business, entertainment, finance, politics, science and technology. In 2012 he was awarded as the 2012 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year and the Financial Times named him as one of the top 50 thought leaders in emerging markets and among the top 20 most influential people in Africa in 2011. In 2007, the Equity Business model won him the

Equity Group Holdings Plc is a pan- African financial services holding company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. The Group has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, DRC, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. Equity Group has an asset base of USD 9 billion, with over 14 million customers, the Group is one of the biggest banks by customer base in the region.