Dr. James Mwangi, Executive Chairman of Equity Group Foundation, has been awarded the prestigious UNHCR Visionary Award in recognition of his groundbreaking efforts to extend financial services to forcibly displaced populations across Africa.
The award was presented during the Africa Forum on Displacement 2025, held in Nairobi, in acknowledgment of Dr. Mwangi’s leadership in redefining access to banking and economic empowerment for refugees and their host communities.
Organisers hailed him as a transformative figure who has “reimagined financial systems to empower the underserved,” providing scalable and sustainable banking solutions where they were most needed.
Presenting the award, Nancy Aburi, UNHCR’s Chief of Private Sector Partnerships Africa, praised Dr. Mwangi’s inclusive leadership:
“There are leaders who serve markets and those who expand them. Dr. James Mwangi has done both, and more. Where most saw challenges, he saw opportunity. Equity Bank became the first commercial bank in Africa to step boldly into the displacement space.”
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Mwangi humbly dedicated the award to the wider Equity ecosystem, partners, and displaced communities themselves:
“This award is not for me. It is for Equity Group Foundation, Equity Bank, and the millions of refugees and partners working together to give displaced persons dignity, opportunity, and the chance to transform their lives. You don’t do good to be appreciated. You do good because it’s the right thing to do.”
The UNHCR Visionary Award honours individuals whose work exemplifies courage, empathy, and innovation in solving complex humanitarian issues. Dr. Mwangi’s recognition reflects his lifelong commitment to equitable development — informed by both his personal journey and professional mission.
Under his stewardship, Equity has pioneered financial inclusion initiatives that provide working capital, promote small enterprises, and support long-term livelihoods for displaced populations. These interventions have significantly improved quality of life in refugee-hosting regions across Africa.
The award was bestowed at the Solutions Gala Dinner, hosted by the Africa Forum on Displacement’s co-convenors: UNHCR, the Amahoro Coalition, and Inkomoko — all key players committed to sustainable solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless communities on the continent.
Dr. Mwangi’s achievement marks a defining moment in the role of the private sector in humanitarian response, showcasing how visionary leadership can drive meaningful, lasting change for those most in need.
