James Kabuthi

Background

About James Kabuthi

I lead the Cards business across Equity Group, guiding the strategy, product innovation, and performance agenda for credit, debit, and prepaid products across six African markets. From the early days of introducing internet banking in Kenya — when digital adoption faced strong resistance — to shaping regional payments ecosystems today, my career has been about building the rails that connect people, businesses, and opportunity. Before joining Equity, I worked with Visa, Ecobank, and Standard Chartered, helping banks and fintechs across Africa reimagine how customers pay and get paid. Along the way, I’ve led teams that launched new products, commercialized digital channels, and used data-driven insights to deepen inclusion and engagement. My focus remains constant: simplifying payments, unlocking value through innovation, and scaling solutions that work for Africa — at global standards.