Naivasha, Kenya 3^rd December 2025… Equity Group Holdings Plc has been named the winner of the CIO100 Award 2025 in the PlusOne Awards Banking Sector Category, in recognition of its excellence in technology leadership and digital transformation, among the top 100 organizations in Africa that have achieved outstanding accomplishments toward critical business goals.

The award was presented during the CIO100 Symposium and Awards. This year’s symposium, themed “Innovation at Scale: Driving Business Growth Through IT Leadership,” honored 100 organizations from across Africa and celebrated their achievements in leadership, innovation, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as generative AI and edge computing.

Equity’s recognition under the PlusOne Awards Banking Sector Category underscores the Group’s strategic commitment to leveraging technology to drive business value, enhance operational resilience, and promote inclusive financial services across the continent.

Now in its 17th year, the CIO100 Awards recognize technology leaders and organizations driving digital transformation across Africa. A record 1,200 applications were submitted this year from enterprises, government agencies, NGOs, and start-ups across East, West, South Africa, and Mauritius, making competition for the 100 award slots particularly fierce.

Speaking after receiving the award, Michael Kwofie, Equity Group Chief Information Officer, said: “It is such an honor to receive this award in recognition of the work Equity is doing as well as the team in Equity. We are grateful for this recognition and look forward to achieving even more in the coming years.”

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Equity Group Holdings, expressed that: “This Award is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and the extraordinary 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. For our customers, this is a promise that we will continue to innovate to expand access, create opportunities, and deliver solutions that empower their lives and businesses. For our staff, this is a celebration of your ingenuity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Together, we are building a legacy of transformation that will define the future of banking in Africa.”

Equity has made significant investments in technology infrastructure, digital platforms, and innovation labs to support its long-term growth and inclusive mission. It has rolled out key digital integrations across markets, strengthened fraud controls, and advanced AI and data governance frameworks with the goal of  future-proofing the Group’s operations and to enhance service uptime and stability across all markets thereby strengthening brand trust and customer confidence and positioning the Group to capture emerging opportunities in digital finance, data innovation and ecommerce. The Group’s efforts align with broader macro trends identified in the CIO100 MegaTrends Report, particularly in cloud computing, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, IoT, and edge computing.

Through its integrated digital ecosystem, including its mobile and online banking platforms, Equity continues to expand its reach into underbanked and underserved communities, advancing its purpose of transforming lives, giving dignity, and expanding opportunities.

L-R: Michael Kwofie, Equity Group Chief Information Officer (4th from left), after it was handed to him by the CIO100 representative (3rd from left). Alongside are members of the Equity Group Technology Governance and ICT team.