The World Bank Group has joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as co-chair, aligning with the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard to accelerate digital access for 100 million individuals and businesses across the continent by 2034.
The initiative seeks to broaden access to secure, affordable, and high-quality broadband, improve data connectivity, and ensure interoperability of digital services. The World Bank’s involvement brings additional technical expertise, data-driven insight, and long-standing experience in delivering sustainable digital transformation in developing economies.
Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital, World Bank, said, “The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa, and joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate efforts to improve livelihoods, empower communities and drive economic growth across the continent. By bringing together our digital expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.”
Since its launch in May 2024, the MADE Alliance has focused on unlocking digital potential in agriculture, an area seen as critical to Africa’s development. Country-specific Digital Agriculture Roadmaps supported by the World Bank are helping guide efforts in the sector.
“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes.” SaidDr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, AfDB
“The MADE Alliance: Africa brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact. The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy,” noted,Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass, Mastercard
The alliance is already active in several countries. In Tanzania, 50,000 sunflower farmers are receiving digital payment tools, while in Kenya, approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities are benefiting from high-speed internet and digital skills training. The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, backed by funding from the African Development Bank, is building the financial capacity of 250,000 farmers.
Since April 2025, the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has also joined the initiative. Other members of the alliance include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Shell Foundation, Tanzania’s CRDB Bank, and the Syngenta Foundation in both Kenya and Nigeria.
