Equity boss receives Freedom of the City of London Award
While receiving the honour, Mwangi described the award as a sign of global recognition for Africa's progress.“This honour reaffirms that purposeful leadership can transform lives, unlock potential, and restore dignity to communities,” he said
Equity Group Holdings CEO James Mwangi has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London Award in recognition of his contributions to financial inclusion and economic development across Africa.
The award, which dates back to the 12th century, is one of the oldest civic traditions and is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.
Mwangi joins a distinguished list of global leaders and visionaries who have received the award, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Dwight D Eisenhower, and Benjamin Franklin.
The ceremony, held in London during a dinner hosted in his honour, was attended by notable guests including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investments Lee Kinyanjui, Ambassador Catherine Wahome, Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK, and Lord Jonathan Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
While receiving the honour, Mwangi described the award as a sign of global recognition for Africa's progress.
"This honour reaffirms that purposeful leadership can transform lives, unlock potential, and restore dignity to communities," he said.
He added that the recognition reflects a wider shift: "Africa's time is now."
The Freedom of the City of London Award has its roots in the medieval period when it gave individuals the right to trade in the city and symbolised civic trust.
Today, the award remains a ceremonial tradition that acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the public good.
Past recipients of the award include influential leaders and innovators such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Otto von Habsburg, Bill Gates, Tim Berners-Lee, and Sanjiv Chadha.
It is presented by the City of London Corporation, continuing a legacy of honouring individuals whose work has had a meaningful impact across different fields.
Mwangi’s leadership at Equity Group has played a major role in transforming the banking landscape in Africa, focusing on expanding access to financial services and supporting community development.
His work has earned him a position among Africa’s most respected business figures.
In addition to leading Equity Group, Mwangi holds key leadership roles at the global level.
He chairs the East and Central Africa Hub of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and serves on the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations.
He is also part of the World Bank Group’s High-level Advisory Council on Jobs, where he contributes to efforts to address unemployment and reduce social inequality worldwide.