World Bank Group Joins African Development Bank Group and Mastercard as Co-Chair of Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa

Strategic Insights -

The African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group, and Mastercard have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate digitalization across Africa by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity. The Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa aims to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across the continent by 2034.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Bank Group has joined the MADE Alliance: Africa as co-chair, alongside the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, to accelerate digital access and economic growth across Africa.
  • The alliance aims to provide digital services to 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034, with a focus on the agriculture sector where digital technologies can serve as powerful catalysts for development.
  • Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, has committed $300 million to the first five years of MADE Alliance: Africa's programming.
  • The alliance has already made significant progress since its May 2024 launch, with projects underway across the continent, including training farmers' cooperatives in Kenya and supporting payment tools for sunflower farmers in Tanzania.
  • The alliance has also welcomed new members, including the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development, which joined as a member in April 2025.
  • Other members of the alliance 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.

Statistics:

  • The MADE Alliance: Africa aims to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034. (Source: African Development Bank Group)
  • $300 million has been committed by the African Development Bank Group to the first five years of MADE Alliance: Africa's programming. (Source: African Development Bank Group)
  • 50,000 sunflower farmers in Tanzania are being supported by the alliance with payment tools. (Source: African Development Bank Group)
  • 10,000 farmers and their communities in Kenya are being reached through affordable high-speed internet digital skills training. (Source: African Development Bank Group)
  • The African Development Bank Group has committed to providing digital services to 250,000 farmers in Kenya to improve their bankability to financial institutions. (Source: African Development Bank Group)

Sources:

  • African Development Bank Group (AFDB)
  • World Bank Group (WBG)
  • Mastercard
  • United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Equity Bank Group
  • Microsoft
  • Heifer International
  • Sustainable Agriculture Foundation
  • Unconnected.org
  • Yara
  • Kenya National Farmers' Federation
  • Shell Foundation
  • Tanzania's CRDB Bank
  • Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria