Nicosia: The World Bank Group has become a co-chair of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, joining forces with the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard. This initiative aims to expand digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across the African continent by 2034.

According to World Bank, the MADE Alliance aligns with their mission to accelerate digitalization by increasing access to secure, affordable, and high-quality broadband and data connectivity. The World Bank Group will contribute its expertise, data-driven insights, and experience in supporting sustainable digital transformations to the alliance.

Currently, the MADE Alliance focuses on opportunities within the agriculture sector, leveraging digital technologies as catalysts for development. World Bank-supported Digital Agriculture Roadmaps are instrumental in creating tailored country action plans to impact more farmers through the MADE Alliance.

Tara Nathan, the Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass at Mastercard, stated that the alliance brings together complementary partners to implement programs targeting the same regions and communities, thereby amplifying their impact. The World Bank’s expertise in digital transformation and agriculture is seen as a significant addition to the alliance’s efforts to integrate more individuals into the digital economy.

Since its launch in May 2024, the MADE Alliance has initiated several projects. In Tanzania, the alliance supports the provision of payment tools to 50,000 sunflower farmers. In Kenya, affordable high-speed internet and digital skills training have been deployed for 13 farmers’ cooperatives, reaching approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities. The Kenya National Farmers Federation is also receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to enhance the bankability of 250,000 farmers.

In April 2025, the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development joined the alliance as a member. Other partners include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers Federation, Shell Foundation, CRDB Bank, and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.