University confers Equity Boss with Honorary Doctorate degree

Dr James Mwangi being conferred degree of Doctor of Business

 Management  by Prof Justin Irina, EBS - Chair University Council MUST

Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has awarded Equity Bank Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi with an honorary doctorate degree in Business Management in recognition of his efforts to accelerate financial inclusivity in the East Africa region.In its award citation, the university senate noted that Dr. Mwangi had played a key role in poverty alleviation programmes by providing financial access solutions for millions of East Africa citizens.

Speaking during the award ceremony, MUST University Council Chairman, Prof. Justin Irina, described Dr. Mwangi, as a talented entrepreneur and academic contributor. Dr Mwangi is also the Chairman of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and a visiting lecturer at Ivy League universities such as Stanford, Columbia, MIT and Harvard where the Equity Bank business model is an academic case study.

“In recognition of the use of his talents as an entrepreneurial organizer and mover of human and material resources for the benefit of the country, the continent and the world, Meru University of Science and Technology confers the degree of Doctor of Business Management (Honoris Causa) upon Dr. James Njuguna Mwangi,” Prof Irina affirmed.

In awarding the honorary degree, the university further noted that Dr. Mwangi had played a key role in the rollout of a revolutionary and inclusive financial business model anchored on affordability, flexibility and accessibility of financial services, making the bank grow its customer base to over 9 million customers, with over Kshs 223 billion in deposits, more than Kshs 200 billion in loans and an asset base in excess of Kshs 305 billion.

While accepting the academic honour, Dr. Mwangi attributed his success to his wife and family, Equity Bank board, customers and staff for their commitment and support in building a successful business that has become a beacon of hope for many families in this region. “The journey of financial liberation has been grueling and is far from won. Through the Equity 3.0 strategy, we are now embarking on another journey where Equity will no longer be somewhere to go, but something to do- a lifestyle.” said Dr Mwangi.

Dr James Mwangi  congratulated by  Deputy VC

Prof Japhet K Magambo  MUST after being conferred

 degree of Doctor of Business Management 

“As the Chancellor of this University, I promise that I will do my best to make my contribution in making this university a competitive center of excellence in science and technology.” He concluded.

Dr. James Mwangi has previously been awarded various honors that include:-

•           Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame and the World Entrepreneurship Academy in 2012
•            Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year award  in 2012  
•           He was among top 50 thought leaders of emerging markets by Financial Times in 2009
•           Top 20 influential people in Africa 
•           The Africa Investor Awards named him Africa CEO of the Year in 2009 and Innovation Leader of the Year 2012
•           The African Banker named him African Banker of the year in 2010 and 2011.
•      He is the inaugural winner of the African Leader of the Year by the African Leadership Network. He is also the Forbes Person of the Year 2012.
•      The African Person of the Year Runners up in 2009 by the Commonwealth Business Council while in the same year

Dr. James Mwangi serves in various advisory services that include:-

•           Global Advisory Council of VISA Inc, the Clinton Global Initiative, the G8 New Alliance for Food Security & Nutrition
•     The Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum.
•   The UN Advisory Groups on Inclusive Finance as well as on Global Sustainability.
•   He also served as an external advisor on inclusive finance to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
•       He is a member of the G20 Advisory Board on Agriculture and serves as a member of the World Economic Council.
•         He is a guest lecturer in Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, IESE and Lagos business school where the Equity Bank business model is a case study. 

 Equity Bank was the first bank to introduce EMV compliant ATM cards and played lead role in championing agency banking in Kenya that continues to demystify banking by taking financial services to the door steps of citizens in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania today. This efforts saw it earn recognition as  Africa’s Most Innovative Bank by the African Banker awards for championing delivery channels that have taken financial services to the last mile.