Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

London, United Kingdom — Equity Group Holdings Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of London award.

This has placed Mwangi among a distinguished list of global icons, including Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, and U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and George H.W. Bush.

Mwangi has also joined a rare circle of visionary leaders and innovators who have previously received the Freedom of the City award, including Desmond Tutu, Lee Kuan Yew, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and Sanjiv Chadha.

The award is one of the oldest and most revered civic honours in the world and it recognises Mwangi's transformative leadership in advancing financial inclusivity, equitable economic development, and empowering underserved communities across Africa.

It also acknowledges his role in championing purposeful, impact-driven business across the continent.

While receiving the award, Mwangi said,

“This honour reaffirms that purposeful leadership has the power to transform lives, unlock potential, and restore dignity to communities. It is also a global recognition that Africa’s time is now, and our stories, innovations, and people matter on the world stage.

A celebratory dinner was held in his honour in London, attended by top dignitaries including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investments Lee Kinyanjui, High Commissioner to the UK Ambassador Catherine Wahome, and Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

In addition to his role at Equity Group, Mwangi is the Chairman of the East and Central Africa Hub of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), a member of the Council on Foreign Relations Global Board of Advisors, and sits on the World Bank Group’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs.

The Freedom of the City of London dates back to the 12th century and was historically a vital status for conducting trade within the City of London.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Mwangi was appointed to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Global Board of Advisors, joining a select group of global leaders, academics, and executives from 25 countries.

CFR, a prominent American think tank focused on U.S. foreign policy and international relations, facilitates dialogue between U.S. leaders and their global counterparts.

Mwangi expressed his commitment to using the platform to advance Africa’s economic agenda and share the continent’s contributions on the world stage.

This appointment adds to Mwangi’s growing international influence, following his 2024 invitation to the World Bank’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs.

Source: TUKO.co.ke