Equity Group Holdings has been named the winner of the CIO100 Award 2025 in the PlusOne Banking Sector Category, recognising the institution’s leadership in digital banking and enterprise technology.
The announcement was made during the CIO100 Symposium and Awards in Naivasha, where 100 of Africa’s most technologically progressive organisations were honoured for excellence in digital transformation.
This year’s conference, themed “Innovation at Scale: Driving Business Growth Through IT Leadership,” highlighted Africa’s growing adoption of emerging technologies, including edge computing, artificial intelligence, advanced cybersecurity systems, and data-driven operations.
Equity was ranked the top banking institution in Africa, recognised for initiatives in technology infrastructure modernisation, digital banking enablement, data governance, and the integration of AI into its operations.
Equity Group CEO James Mwangi said the recognition reflects the institution’s long-term investment in digital transformation aligned with its mission of socioeconomic empowerment.
“This award is a testament to purpose-driven leadership and the synergy between vision, innovation, and execution. At Equity, we are not just leveraging technology to improve banking; we are reimagining what is possible for Africa,” he said.
He added that the bank’s digital-first strategy aims to expand access to financial services.
“For our customers, this is a promise that we will continue to innovate to create opportunities and deliver solutions that empower their lives and businesses. For our staff, this celebrates your ingenuity, resilience, and commitment to our mission.”
Equity Group Chief Information Officer Michael Kwofie also welcomed the recognition, crediting teams across the Group’s markets for driving innovation.
“It is an honour to receive this award in recognition of the work Equity is doing. We are grateful and look forward to achieving even more in the coming years,” he said.
Now in its 17th year, the CIO100 Awards received more than 1,200 submissions from across Africa, including government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and start-ups, making 2025 one of the program’s most competitive cycles.
Equity’s win aligns with broader industry patterns captured in the CIO100 MegaTrends Report, which cited cloud adoption, AI integration, IoT expansion, and cybersecurity modernisation as top strategic priorities for the continent’s digital landscape.
In recent years, Equity has invested in digital infrastructure, regional data architecture, fraud-prevention systems, and real-time transaction monitoring.
These initiatives have enabled more than 22 million customers to access services through mobile, online, and agency channels rather than relying solely on branch networks.
The Group’s digital transformation approach—blending financial technology, alternative distribution channels, and ecosystem partnerships—has positioned the bank as a reference point for scalable, technology-driven banking in Africa.
