World Bank Partners with Mastercard and AfDB to Drive Digital Inclusion Across Africa

Drop files to upload

World Bank Collaborates with Mastercard and African Development Bank to Propel Africa’s Digital Revolution

The World Bank Group has officially joined forces with Mastercard and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to co-lead the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa. This ambitious partnership is focused on delivering digital connectivity and essential services to 100 million individuals and businesses across the African continent by the year 2034.

The MADE Alliance: Africa is a strategic coalition aimed at accelerating the digital transformation in Africa by ensuring widespread access to secure, affordable, and high-quality broadband and data services. It also emphasizes the seamless integration of digital solutions to maximize benefits for users across various sectors. Leveraging its global expertise and data-driven insights, the World Bank Group is poised to play a vital role in driving sustainable digital development throughout the continent.

“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.” Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital, World Bank Group

Focusing on Agriculture: A Key Sector for Digital Growth

Agriculture remains one of Africa’s most critical sectors, and the MADE Alliance is dedicating significant resources to unlocking its digital potential. Through World Bank-supported Digital Agriculture Roadmaps, tailored action plans have been developed for various countries, enabling farmers to access digital tools that enhance productivity and market reach.

“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.”— Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, African Development Bank

Synergizing Efforts for Greater Impact

According to Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass at Mastercard, the collaboration allows each organization to harness their strengths and focus on shared goals to maximize outcomes. “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,” she explained.

On-the-Ground Progress and Expanding Membership

Since its inception in May 2024, the MADE Alliance has rolled out various impactful initiatives across Africa:

• In Tanzania, digital payment systems have been introduced to empower 50,000 sunflower farmers with easier access to financial tools.
• In Kenya, affordable high-speed internet and digital skills training have benefited 13 farmers’ cooperatives, positively impacting around 10,000 farmers and their surrounding communities.
• The African Development Bank is funding capacity-building programs for 250,000 Kenyan farmers, enhancing their eligibility for financial services and boosting economic resilience.

The alliance’s reach continues to expand. In April 2025, the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) became a member, joining a growing roster of influential organizations such as Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, Tanzania’s CRDB Bank, and the Syngenta Foundation operating in Kenya and Nigeria.

Conclusion: Charting a Digital Future for Africa

The collaboration between the World Bank Group, Mastercard, and the African Development Bank through the MADE Alliance: Africa represents a significant leap forward in bridging the digital divide on the continent. By uniting public and private sector strengths and focusing on critical sectors like agriculture, this partnership is set to unlock unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, social empowerment, and sustainable development.

As digital technologies become increasingly integral to everyday life and business, ensuring that millions of Africans gain affordable and reliable access to these resources is crucial. The MADE Alliance’s holistic approach—combining connectivity expansion, digital skills training, and inclusive financial services—holds the promise to transform livelihoods, build resilient communities, and stimulate long-term prosperity.

Looking ahead, the success of this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other regions facing similar digital inclusion challenges, highlighting the power of collaboration in creating equitable and sustainable digital economies worldwide.

For more information on digital transformation initiatives in Africa, visit the World Bank Digital Development page or explore the African Development Bank’s initiatives.

For more detailed insights on the World Bank’s role in Africa’s digital economy, visit our in-depth coverage here.