Cape Town: The World Bank Group has officially joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, aligning with current co-chairs, the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across the continent by 2034.
According to African Press Organization, the MADE Alliance: Africa is a collaborative effort among the three major institutions to fast-track digitalization by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity. The initiative also focuses on ensuring seamless integration of various digital services to benefit users effectively. The World Bank Group will contribute its expertise, data-driven insights, and experience in supporting sustainable digital transformation to this initiative.
Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank, emphasized the organization’s commitment to broadening inclusive digital access across Africa. By joining the MADE Alliance, the World Bank aims to enhance efforts to uplift livelihoods, empower communities, and stimulate economic growth across the continent. Kim stated, “By bringing together our digital expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.”
Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass at Mastercard, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “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.”
Since its inception in May 2024, the MADE Alliance: Africa has initiated several impactful projects across the continent. In Tanzania, the alliance is aiding 50,000 sunflower farmers with payment tools. In Kenya, alliance members have facilitated 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 also receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to enhance the bankability of 250,000 farmers in Kenya.
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.