The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Visa have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at expanding digital access across Africa through a multi-pronged initiative that focuses on affordability, digital identity, and cybersecurity.
The agreement was formalized during the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, marking a coordinated effort to close the continent’s digital divide and reinforce its digital infrastructure.
The collaboration prioritizes three core pillars: increasing the affordability and availability of digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and point-of-sale (POS) terminals; enabling broader access to secure, scalable digital identity solutions; and strengthening cybersecurity within Africa’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.
Central to the partnership is the development of an affordable device mechanism designed to address the gap between internet connectivity and digital usage. While mobile coverage has expanded significantly across Africa, high device costs remain a major barrier to full participation in the digital economy. The initiative aims to reduce that barrier and bring digital solutions closer to underserved communities.
“We are thrilled to partner with the African Development Bank to drive digital transformation across Africa. This collaboration aligns with our mission to enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive by connecting them digitally. Through these initiatives, we will further our efforts in bridging the digital divide, enhancing financial inclusion, and building a secure digital ecosystem for all Africans,” said Ismahill Diaby, Vice President and Head of Western and Central Francophone & Lusophone Africa at Visa.
The agreement also tackles one of the region’s foundational gaps, identity verification. By expanding access to secure digital identity platforms, the partnership aims to unlock access to financial services, healthcare, government benefits, and educational tools for millions of unbanked and undocumented individuals. Coupled with the promotion of digital payments, the initiative is positioned to accelerate economic participation and formalization.
The third major focus is cybersecurity, a growing concern amid the rapid digitization of Africa’s economies. The partnership will leverage Visa’s expertise in digital security to strengthen the resilience of African financial infrastructure, ensuring that increased digital activity is matched by robust protection frameworks.
“Africa’s digital future hinges on inclusive access to affordable devices and secure digital identities. By empowering citizens with the tools and credentials they need, we unlock opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and financial inclusion for millions across the continent,” said Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization at the African Development Bank.
By aligning AfDB’s regional development mandate with Visa’s global technical capabilities, the partnership sets a foundation for long-term digital transformation across the continent. It signals a shift toward more inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital ecosystems, backed by institutions with both the capital and expertise to drive scale.
The agreement arrives at a time when digital infrastructure is increasingly seen as critical to Africa’s development trajectory.
