Lagos: The World Bank Group has joined forces with the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard as co-chairs of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, an initiative aimed at providing digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across the continent by 2034.
According to African Press Organization, the MADE Alliance: Africa aligns with the collective efforts of these three major institutions to accelerate digitalization by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity. The initiative also focuses on ensuring that different digital services work together seamlessly to benefit users. The World Bank Group will contribute its expertise, data-driven insights, and experience in supporting sustainable digital transformation to this initiative.
The World Bank Group is committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa. Joining the MADE Alliance will further efforts to improve livelihoods, empower communities, and drive economic growth across the continent, said Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank. By leveraging their digital expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, the World Bank aims to help scale a lasting, transformational impact.
Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass at Mastercard, emphasized the importance of complementary partnerships within the MADE Alliance: Africa. The alliance aims to execute and implement programs targeting the same regions and communities, thus amplifying their impact. Nathan expressed honor at the World Bank joining the alliance, bringing expertise in digital transformation and agriculture to efficiently deploy resources and accelerate efforts to include everyone in the digital economy.
Since its launch in May 2024, the MADE Alliance: Africa has already initiated significant projects across the continent. In Tanzania, the alliance supports 50,000 sunflower farmers with payment tools. Meanwhile, in Kenya, members have deployed affordable high-speed internet and digital skills training for 13 farmers’ cooperatives, impacting approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities. The Kenya National Farmers Federation is receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to enhance the financial capacity of 250,000 farmers.
The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development joined the alliance as a member in April 2025. Other members include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers Federation, Shell Foundation, Tanzania’s CRDB Bank, and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.