# James Mwangi > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/James_Mwangi > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/James_Mwangi.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mwangi > Source revision: 1344734747 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Kenyan banker}} {{About||the Kenyan long-distance runner|James Mwangi Macharia|other uses|Mwangi}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = James Mwangi | image = James Mwangi.jpg | caption = Mwangi in 2020 | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1962}} | birth_place = [Kangema](/source/Kangema), [Muranga County](/source/Muranga_County), Kenya | employer = [Equity Group Holdings Plc](/source/Equity_Group_Holdings_Limited) | known_for = Turning around Equity Bank from a loss making entity in 1993 and making it one of the largest banks in East and Central Africa with an asset base of USD 9  billion as at 2020{{cite web |title=James Mwangi: A Life Stranger Than Fiction |url=https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/uncategorised/james-mwangi-a-life-stranger-than-fiction/ |website=African Business Magazine |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=6 September 2012}} | alma_mater = [University of Nairobi](/source/University_of_Nairobi) | children = 3 | occupation = {{hlist|[Accountant](/source/Accountant)|[banker](/source/banker)|[entrepreneur](/source/entrepreneur)}} | years_active = 1991–present | partner = Jane Njuguna{{cite web |title=Ten least known Kenyan women billionaires |url=https://www.pd.co.ke/lifestyle/ten-least-known-kenyan-women-billionaires-38794/ |website=People Daily |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=8 June 2020}} | title = [Group managing director](/source/Managing_Director) and [group CEO](/source/CEO), [Equity Group Holdings](/source/Equity_Group_Holdings) }} '''James Mwangi''' (born 1962) is a Kenyan accountant, career banker, businessman, and entrepreneur. He is the current [group managing director](/source/Managing_director) and [group chief executive officer](/source/CEO) of [Equity Group Holdings Plc](/source/Equity_Group_Holdings_Limited), the banking conglomerate with one of the largest customer bases on the African continent, over 14 million as of December 2019.{{cite web|title=Success Story of Equity Bank CEO, James Mwangi |last=Kwama |date=4 December 2013 |location=Nairobi |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenyaat50/article/2000099368/success-story-of-equity-bank-ceo-james-mwangi?pageNo=1 | first=Kenneth| accessdate=21 October 2014|newspaper=[The Standard](/source/The_Standard_(Kenya))}}{{cite web|title=Equity Bank of Kenya: Our History | url=http://www.equitybank.co.ke/index.php/about/our-history|access-date=21 October 2014|publisher=Equity Bank of Kenya|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020195326/http://www.equitybank.co.ke/index.php/about/our-history|archive-date=20 October 2014}} Mwangi was included on ''The Financial Times''{{'}} 2009 list of the top 50 thought leaders of emerging markets and the top 20 most influential people in Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f3f3e7dc-06ad-11df-b426-00144feabdc0|title=50 emerging market business leaders |website=Financial Times|access-date=26 May 2019}} He was the founding chairman of the [Kenya Vision 2030](/source/Kenya_Vision_2030) Delivery Board from 2007 to 2019, charged with ensuring Kenya became a middle-income country with high living standards by 2030. He is a Presidential National Task Force member on the Kenya [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Kenya) Emergency Response Fund and chair of its health committee. Mwangi is also the current chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology.{{Cite news|url=https://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/interview/obg-talks-james-mwangi-chairman-kenya-vision-2030-delivery-board|title=OBG talks to James Mwangi, Chairman, Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board|date=19 November 2014|work=Oxford Business Group|access-date=23 November 2017}} In April 2025, Mwangi was awarded the [Freedom of the City of London](/source/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London) honors for his work in enhancing inclusive financial and economic growth and empowering underserved communities.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Dr James Mwangi receives Freedom of the City of London award for inclusivity, creating equitable communities |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/25735/news/featured/dr-james-mwangi-receives-freedom-of-the-city-of-london-award-for-inclusivity-creating-equitable-communities |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=The New Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nyaundi |first=Lewis |title=Equity boss receives Freedom of the City of London honours |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001516663/equity-boss-receives-freedom-of-the-city-of-london-honours |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=The Standard |language=en}} ==Early life and education== Mwangi was born in [Kangema](/source/Kangema), in [Kenya's Central Province](/source/Central_Province_(Kenya)), circa 1962. He and his six siblings were raised by their widowed mother, Grace Wairimu. He witnessed the struggles in his family and community at an early age to make a livelihood, which inspired him to better his circumstances. Mwangi credits his mother for instilling the virtues of discipline, hard work, giving back to society, and humility into him from childhood.{{cite web |title=James Mwangi: A Life Stranger Than Fiction |url=https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/uncategorised/james-mwangi-a-life-stranger-than-fiction/ |website=African Business Magazine |accessdate=4 October 2020 |date=6 September 2012}} He attended Nyagatugu Primary School in [Kangema](/source/Kangema) Village, going on to attend Ichagaki Secondary School on a government scholarship. He attended Kagumo High School for his A-level education, where he studied economics, [English literature](/source/English_literature), and [geography](/source/geography). He joined the [University of Nairobi](/source/University_of_Nairobi), graduating with a [Bachelor of Commerce](/source/Bachelor_of_Commerce) degree, after which he sat and passed the [Certified Public Accountant](/source/Certified_Public_Accountant) of Kenya (CPAK) examinations.{{cite web |url=http://www.kenyayetu.net/the-rise-and-rise-of-james-mwangi/ |title=The Education History of James Mwangi |date=24 July 2012 |first=Craig |last=Rix |website=KenyaYetu.net |accessdate=21 October 2014 |archive-date=3 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003173626/http://kenyayetu.net/the-rise-and-rise-of-james-mwangi/ |url-status=dead }} He is also a graduate of the advanced management programme at the [IESE Business School](/source/IESE_Business_School) in [Barcelona](/source/Barcelona), Spain.{{cite web|url=https://globalcenters.columbia.edu/content/dr-james-mwangi |title=Dr. James Mwangi |publisher=Columbia Global Centers |accessdate=18 August 2020}} Mwangi holds five honorary doctorate degrees, a [Doctor of Business Administration](/source/Doctor_of_Business_Administration) from [Kenya Methodist University](/source/Kenya_Methodist_University), [Doctor of Humane Letters](/source/Doctor_of_Humane_Letters) from [Kenyatta University](/source/Kenyatta_University), and Doctor of Entrepreneurship from the [Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology](/source/Jomo_Kenyatta_University_of_Agriculture_and_Technology).{{cite web|url=https://business.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php?q=node/6562&page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016213629/https://business.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php?q=node/6562&page=3 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |title=Dr. James Mwangi {{!}} School of Business |publisher=[University of Nairobi](/source/University_of_Nairobi) |accessdate=26 May 2019 |url-status=dead}} He also has a Doctor of Business Management (Honours Causa) from Meru University of Science and Technology{{cite web |title=Meru University of Science and Technology confers Equity Boss with his fifth Honorary Doctorate degree - Kenya Engineer |url=https://www.kenyaengineer.co.ke/meru-university-of-science-and-technology-confers-equity-boss-with-his-fifth-honorary-doctorate-degree/ |website=www.kenyaengineer.co.ke |date=September 2014 |accessdate=4 October 2020}}{{cite web |title=chancellor |url=https://www.must.ac.ke/chancellor/ |website=Meru University of Science and Technology |accessdate=4 October 2020}} and a Doctorate of Letters from [Africa Nazarene University](/source/Africa_Nazarene_University). ==Career== Mwangi began his career in banking as an auditor at [PricewaterhouseCoopers](/source/PricewaterhouseCoopers). He soon moved to [Ernst & Young](/source/Ernst_%26_Young), where he worked for three years before joining Trade Bank. In 1991, he left his job as the group's financial controller at Trade Bank{{cite web |last1=Chris |first1=Ogbechie (2009) |title=The Transformation of Equity Bank |url=https://equitygroupholdings.com/equity-bank_case-study_a-chris-ogbechie-lagos-business-school/ |publisher=Lagos Business School |accessdate=9 September 2020}} on invitation by the then-senior executives of Equity Building Society (EBS), the precursor to Equity Bank, to steer the financial institution from insolvency. Mwangi joined Equity Building Society as the Finance and Operations Director, a position he held until 2004 when he became the CEO.{{cite web |last1=John |first1=Ratichek |title=Equity Bank and the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) in Kenya |url=https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/fsd-circle/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/30095809/11-10-06_Equity_Bank_HSNP_case_study.pdf |publisher=FSD Kenya |accessdate=9 September 2020 |date=2011 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Together with the then managing director, John Mwangi, and the chairman, [Peter Munga](/source/Peter_Munga), they constituted the board. Mwangi converted his KSh.7 million/= deposit at the time with Equity Building Society to ordinary shares, making him one of the key shareholders. The company was losing [KSh.](/source/Kenyan_shilling)5 million/= (approx. [US$](/source/United_States_dollar)60,000 at the time) annually and, at that time, had accumulated total losses of KSh.33 million/= (approx. US$380,000 at the time). Equity had been declared insolvent at position 66 out of 66 by its regulator, the [Central Bank of Kenya](/source/Central_Bank_of_Kenya), in 1993.{{cite web |last1=Coetzee |first1=Gerhard |last2=Mnjama |first2=Andrew |last3=Kabbucho |first3=Kamau |title=Understanding the Re-birth of Equity Building Society in Kenya |url=http://www.microsave.net/files/pdf/Understanding_the_Re_birth_of_Equity_Building_Society_in_Kenya.pdf |publisher=Microsave.net |accessdate=9 September 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Omar |first1=Sigomba Ramadhan |title=Peaks and valleys of Equity's 35 years expedition |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001344343/peaks-and-valleys-of-equity-s-35-years-expedition |website=The Standard |accessdate=31 August 2020 |language=en}} Mwangi was appointed Director of Strategy and Finance and set about retraining staff focusing on customer care. He also encouraged them to use their networks to attract members to the society and use 25% of their salaries to buy Equity Building Society shares. In 1997, the society began to sell shares to customers and pay annual dividends.{{cite web|url=https://biznakenya.com/dr-james-mwangi-profile/ |title=The career profile of Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi |date=14 February 2016 |website=Bizna Kenya |accessdate=23 May 2019}} In 2006, Equity Bank listed on the [Nairobi Securities Exchange](/source/Nairobi_Stock_Exchange) (NSE). On 18 June 2009, the group's stock cross-listed on the [Uganda Securities Exchange](/source/Uganda_Securities_Exchange) and the Rwanda Stock Exchange in 2015.{{cite web |last1=Reporter |first1=Standard |title=Equity Group lists on Rwanda Stock Exchange |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000151564/equity-group-lists-on-rwanda-stock-exchange |website=The Standard |accessdate=14 November 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/685424 |title=Equity Bank Cross-Lists on USE |date=21 June 2009 |newspaper=[New Vision](/source/New_Vision_(newspaper)) |accessdate=22 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141021210134/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/685424 |archive-date=21 October 2014}} {{as of|December 2019}}, the group had subsidiaries in six countries and a commercial representative office in [Ethiopia](/source/Ethiopia).{{cite web|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2014/04/equity-in-20pc-profit-rise-to-sh3-8bn/ |title=Equity in 20pc Profit Rise To Sh3.8bn |date=17 April 2014 |first=Kennedy |last=Kangethe |work=[Capital Business](/source/98.4_Capital_FM) |accessdate=22 October 2014}} Equity Group Holdings is a large financial services organisation in East Africa in terms of customer base and has an asset base valued at over KSh.900 billion/= (approx. US$9 billion).{{cite web|url=https://equitygroupholdings.com/investor-relations/ |title=Investor Relations |publisher=[Equity Group Holdings](/source/Equity_Group_Holdings) |accessdate=19 August 2020}} In 2020, Equity Bank was granted approval to merge two subsidiaries (Equity Bank Congo (EBC) and Banque Commercial du Congo (BCDC)) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two subsidiaries formed a new bank by the name [Equity Banque Commercial du Congo (Equity BCDC)](/source/Equity_Banque_Commerciale_du_Congo) which made it the second largest bank in DRC.{{cite web |title=Equity gets approval to merge DRC subsidiaries into new bank branches |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/equity-gets-approval-to-merge-drc-subsidiaries-into-new-bank-branches-3247368 |website=The East African |date=6 January 2021 |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=en}} Mwangi is a guest lecturer at [Stanford University](/source/Stanford_University), [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University), the [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](/source/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology) (MIT), [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University), IESE Business School, and [Lagos Business School](/source/Lagos_Business_School). Mwangi has also served on boards and in advisory roles at the Global Advisory Council for [VISA Inc](/source/Visa_Inc.).,{{cite web |last1=Njugunah |first1=Margaret |title=Equity Group Chief Executive joins IFC Economic Advisory Board |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2018/03/equity-group-chief-executive-joins-ifc-economic-advisory-board/ |website=Capital Business |accessdate=4 October 2020 |date=12 March 2018}} the Global Advisory Council for [MasterCard](/source/MasterCard), the [Clinton Global Initiative](/source/Clinton_Global_Initiative), the [G8](/source/G8) New Alliance For Food Security And Nutrition, President Barack Obama’s Initiative for Global Development, the [G20](/source/G20) Advisory Board of Agriculture and Initiative for Global Development, and the Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the [World Economic Forum](/source/World_Economic_Forum).{{cite web |title=Equity Group CEO appointed to the Columbia Global Centers - The Exchange Equity Group CEO appointed to the Columbia Global Centers |url=https://theexchange.africa/banking/equity-group-ceo-appointed-to-the-columbia-global-centers/ |website=The Exchange |accessdate=4 October 2020 |date=28 January 2019}} He has also served on the UN Advisory Groups on Inclusive Finance and Global Sustainability. He also served as an external advisor on a high-level panel on inclusive finance to the [Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation](/source/Bill_and_Melinda_Gates_Foundation). Additionally, he is on the Economic Advisory Board to the president of IFC (International Finance Corporation), the Advisory Network to the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the Nairobi Advisory Board of Columbia Global Centres,{{cite web |title=Nairobi Advisory Board |url=https://globalcenters.columbia.edu/content/nairobi-advisory-board |accessdate=5 October 2020}} Yale University President’s Council on International Activities, the Inaugural Board of African Leadership Academy and has been chair of the steering committee of the [Young African Leaders Initiative](/source/Young_African_Leaders_Initiative) (YALI) Regional Leadership Center, East Africa. He is a member of [UNDP](/source/UNDP)’s (United Nations Development Program) African Influencers for Development (AI4Dev), private sector AfroChampions initiative, and a board member of [Sustainable Development Goals](/source/Sustainable_Development_Goals) Center for Africa (SDGC/A).{{cite web |title=SDG Center for Africa Governance |url=https://sdgcafrica.org/governance/ |accessdate=5 October 2020}} Mwangi served on the technical team that formulated [Kenya’s Vision 2030](/source/Kenya_Vision_2030) from 2003 to 2007 and became the Vision 2030 Delivery Board chair from 2007 to 2019. During this period, Kenya’s GDP rose tenfold from US$10 billion to US$100 billion.{{cite web |title=Annual GDP CBK |url=https://www.centralbank.go.ke/annual-gdp/|website=www.centralbank.go.ke |publisher=Central Bank of Kenya |accessdate=4 October 2020}} In September 2020, it was alleged that Mwangi was taken to court for [land grabbing](/source/land_grabbing) of property of a private company in [Muthaiga](/source/Muthaiga). According to the allegations, Mwangi used police to evict personnel of a private company Mount Pleasant and installed his security personnel.{{cite news |title=Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi Accused Of Grabbing Land In Muthaiga |url=https://www.kahawatungu.com/equity-bank-ceo-james-mwangi-accused-of-grabbing-land-in-muthaiga/ |work=KahawaTungu |date=14 September 2020}} ==Personal life== Mwangi is married and has three sons.{{cite web|url=https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/uncategorised/james-mwangi-a-life-stranger-than-fiction/ |title=James Mwangi: A Life Stranger Than Fiction |date=6 September 2012 |work=[African Business](/source/African_Business) |accessdate=18 August 2020}} Together with his wife they own shares in the stock of Equity Group Holdings and [Britam Holdings](/source/Britam_Holdings).{{cite web |url=http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/James-Mwangi-fortune-in-Equity-Sh12bn/-/539552/2492394/-/item/0/-/13o1dnbz/-/index.html |title=Mwangi family's fortune in Equity tops Sh12bn |date=20 October 2014 |first=Victor |last=Juma |newspaper=[Business Daily Africa](/source/Business_Daily_Africa) |accessdate=22 October 2014 |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023020042/http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/James-Mwangi-fortune-in-Equity-Sh12bn/-/539552/2492394/-/item/0/-/13o1dnbz/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} Mwangi is the executive chairman of [Equity Group Foundation](/source/Equity_Group_Foundation) (EGF), which he founded in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://africa.com/equity-banks-group-managing-director-ceo-dr-james-mwangi-talks-philanthropy-during-covid-19-at-africa-com-webinar/ |title=Equity Bank's Group Managing Director & CEO Dr. James Mwangi, talks philanthropy during Covid-19 at Africa.com Webinar |date=20 July 2020 |website=[Africa.com](/source/Africa.com) |accessdate=18 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.devex.com/organizations/equity-group-foundation-egf-48774 |title=Equity Group Foundation (EGF) |publisher=[Devex](/source/Devex) |accessdate=19 August 2020}} ===Wings to Fly=== In 2010, under Mwangi's leadership, Equity Bank launched the Wings to Fly initiative, which provides scholarships to needy students in Kenya. Since its inception, a total of 26,304 students have benefited from the program, with 633 having joined leading global learning institutions.{{cite web |url=https://nation.africa/Kenya/news/equity-bank-s-wings-to-fly-scholarship-targets-30-000-students-1152894 |title=Equity Bank's Wings to Fly scholarship targets 30,000 students |date=11 December 2015 |first=Ouma |last=Wanzala |work=[Daily Nation](/source/Daily_Nation) |accessdate=27 August 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His family’s notable contributions include US$4 million in donations to support the COVID-19 Response in Kenya, Rwanda, and DRC.{{cite web|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2020/04/james-mwangi-family-donate-sh300mn-to-fight-covid-19-in-kenya/ |title=James Mwangi, Family Donate Sh300mn To Fight COVID-19 In Kenya |date=30 April 2020 |first=Margaret |last=Njugunah |work=[Capital Business](/source/98.4_Capital_FM) |accessdate=18 August 2020}} US$1 million to set up a business incubation center at Meru University of Science and Technology,{{cite web |title=IIEC- Meru University of Science and Technology Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre |url=https://www.must.ac.ke/iiec/ |website=Meru University of Science and Technology |accessdate=7 October 2020}}{{cite web |title=Equity CEO James Mwangi sets record with Sh300m donation to Covid-19 fund |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/business/equity-ceo-james-mwangi-sets-record-with-sh300m-donation-to-covid-19-fund-20240/ |website=K24 TV |accessdate=7 October 2020 |date=30 April 2020}} US$500,000 to his local village school, Nyagatugu Secondary School, and US$300,000 each to both the African Leadership Academy, South Africa and Church House in Uganda. ==Awards and honors== thumb|right|Mwangi pictured in 2007 ; Global * [Freedom of the City of London](/source/Freedom_of_the_City_of_London) Honoree 2025{{Cite web |last=week |first=Stay up to date on the editors' picks of the |date=2025-04-16 |title=London honours Equity's Mwangi for financial inclusion |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/london-honours-equity-s-mwangi-for-financial-inclusion-5005838 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Business Daily |language=en}} * Winner 2020 [Oslo Business for Peace Award](/source/Business_for_Peace_Foundation).{{cite web |title=Equity's James Mwangi wins 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/money-careers/article/2001385840/equity-s-james-mwangi-wins-2020-oslo-business-for-peace-award |website=The Standard |accessdate=10 September 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Equity's Mwangi feted for financial inclusion effort |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/companies/Mwangi-feted-for-financial-inclusion-effort/4003102-5621632-n4n7mkz/index.html |website=Business Daily |accessdate=10 September 2020}} * Bloomberg 50, 2019{{cite web |last1=Mutai |first1=Anthony |title=Equity Group's Dr. James Mwangi Honored in the 2019 Bloomberg 50 |url=https://www.hortinews.co.ke/2019/12/10/equity-groups-dr-james-mwangi-honored-in-the-2019-bloomberg-50/ |website=Horticultural News |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814055256/https://www.hortinews.co.ke/2019/12/10/equity-groups-dr-james-mwangi-honored-in-the-2019-bloomberg-50/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=James Mwangi of Equity honored in the 2019 Bloomberg 50 |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2019/12/james-mwangi-of-equity-honored-in-the-2019-bloomberg-50/ |website=Capital Business |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=10 December 2019}} * [Ernst and Young's World Entrepreneur of the Year](/source/Ernst_%26_Young_Entrepreneur_of_the_Year_Award), 2012{{cite web |title=James Mwangi |url=https://www.ey.com/en_us/weoy/past-winners/james-mwangi |website=www.ey.com |publisher=Ernst & Young Global Limited |accessdate=31 August 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125230827/https://www.ey.com/en_us/weoy/past-winners/james-mwangi |url-status=dead }} * [International Planned Parenthood Federation](/source/International_Planned_Parenthood_Federation) (IPPF) Award for Philanthropy, 2012 * Financial Times’ Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and the 20 Most Influential People in Africa, 2011 * African Person of the Year Runner-up - Commonwealth Business Council, 2009 * The G8 Global Vision Award, 2007 ; Regional * Think Business Banking Awards- CEO of the Year: 2019 and 2020, * African CEO of the Year- African Business Leadership Awards 2020 * Banker Africa (East Africa), Banker of the Year: 2017, 2018 * African Business Leader of the Year - The Africa Investor Awards, 2013 * Innovation Leader of the Year- The Africa Investor Awards, 2012 * African Leader of the Year- African Leadership Network 2012 * All Africa Business Leader Award- ABN & CNBC Africa 2012 * ''[Forbes](/source/Forbes) Africa'' Person of the Year: 2012{{cite web|url=https://businesstoday.co.ke/james-mwangi-equity-bank-ceo-is-forbes-africa-person-of-the-year-for-2012/ |title=James Mwangi, Equity Bank CEO, is Forbes Africa Person of the Year for 2012 |date=14 April 2016 |first=Luke |last=Mulunda |work=Business Today |accessdate=23 May 2019}} * Ernst & Young Africa Entrepreneur of the Year award Master Category 2011 * African Banker Awards, African Banker of the Year: 2010, 2011, 2018{{cite web|url=https://africanbankerawards.com/ |title=African Banker Awards |publisher=African Banker Awards |accessdate=18 August 2020 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818121410/https://africanbankerawards.com/ |archivedate=18 August 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Report |first=Agency |date=2018-05-22 |title=East African banks dominate 2018 African Banker Awards |url=https://punchng.com/east-african-banks-dominate-2018-african-banker-awards/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |newspaper=[The Punch](/source/The_Punch)|language=en-US}} * CEO of the Year - The Africa Investor Awards, 2009{{cite web |title=Best of African Capital Markets: 2009 Africa investor Index Series Awards Winners {{!}} African Capital Markets News |url=http://www.africancapitalmarketsnews.com/95/best-of-african-capital-markets-2009-africa-investor-index-series-awards-winners/ |accessdate=31 August 2020}} and 2015{{cite web |title=Africa: Dr. James Mwangi Scoops CEO of the Year Award At the Africa Investor Summit |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201510060660.html |accessdate=31 August 2020}} * Africa Investor Awards, CEO of the Year: 2009,{{cite web |last1=Ndonga |first1=Elsie |title=Equity CEO Dr. James Mwangi Wins The Banker of the Year in the African Banker Awards. Check Out His Other Achievements |url=https://www.potentash.com/2018/05/24/equity-james-mwangi-africa-banker-awards/ |website=Potentash |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=24 May 2018}} 2015 ; National honours * 60px|link=Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya Chief of the [Order of the Burning Spear](/source/Orders%2C_decorations%2C_and_medals_of_Kenya){{cite web |title=THE KENYA GAZETTE Published by Authority of the Republic of Kenya |url=https://www.theelephant.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Kenya-Gazette-Vol.-CXV-No.-120-Notice-No.-15782.pdf |publisher=Government of Kenya |accessdate=31 August 2020}} * 60px|link=Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya Moran of the [Order of the Burning Spear](/source/Orders%2C_decorations%2C_and_medals_of_Kenya){{cite web |title=Award of orders, decorations and medals on Jamhuri Day, 12th December 2006 |url=https://gazettes.africa/archive/ke/2006/ke-government-gazette-dated-2006-12-12-no-86.pdf |publisher=The Kenya Gazette |accessdate=10 September 2020}} * [Head of State's Commendation](/source/Orders%2C_decorations%2C_and_medals_of_Kenya) (Kenya) * Uzalendo (patriotism) Award - a commendation by the president of Kenya for contribution to the country's COVID-19 response.{{cite web |last1=Kihiu |first1=Njoki |title=Health DG Amoth among 68 Kenyans conferred Presidential Order of Service Award " Capital News |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2020/06/health-dg-amoth-among-68-kenyans-conferred-presidential-order-of-service-award/ |website=Capital News |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=1 June 2020}} {{small|Source: Equity Group Holdings{{cite web|url=https://equitygroupholdings.com/about-equity/ |title=About Equity |publisher=[Equity Group Holdings](/source/Equity_Group_Holdings) |accessdate=18 August 2020 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818120520/https://equitygroupholdings.com/about-equity/ |archivedate=18 August 2020}}}} ==See also== * [List of African millionaires](/source/List_of_African_millionaires) * [List of wealthiest people in Kenya](/source/List_of_wealthiest_people_in_Kenya) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150902005559/http://www.equitybank.co.ke/ Webpage of Equity Bank Group] {{Equity Group Holdings Limited|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mwangi, James}} Category:Living people Category:1965 births Category:Kikuyu people Category:Kenyan accountants Category:Kenyan bankers Category:University of Nairobi alumni Category:Bank presidents and chief executive officers Category:Kenyan chief executives Category:Kenyan philanthropists Category:Chiefs of the Order of the Burning Spear Category:Morans of the Order of the Burning Spear Category:Alumni of Kagumo High School --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James Mwangi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mwangi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mwangi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.