World Bank Joins MADE Alliance to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation

In a landmark step to boost digital inclusion across the African continent, the World Bank Group has officially joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as co-chair, joining forces with the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard. This trilateral leadership aims to expand digital access to 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034, marking one of the most ambitious efforts to bridge the continent’s digital divide.

A Vision for Inclusive Digital Economies

The MADE Alliance: Africa, launched in May 2024, is designed to provide secure, affordable, and high-quality digital access to underserved communities, with a strong focus on interoperability—ensuring various digital services function seamlessly across platforms. This initiative brings together financial institutions, tech giants, and development organizations to create a unified push towards equitable digital transformation.

Sangbu Kim, World Bank Vice President for Digital, stated:

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa. Joining the MADE Alliance helps us accelerate our efforts to improve livelihoods, empower communities, and drive economic growth across the continent.”

As part of its contribution, the World Bank will leverage its data-driven insights, policy expertise, and experience in sustainable digital development, offering valuable technical guidance and financing frameworks.

Targeting Agriculture as a Digital Entry Point

A standout focus of the Alliance is the agriculture sector, which remains the backbone of many African economies. By targeting smallholder farmers, MADE aims to introduce digital tools that increase productivity, market access, and financial inclusion.

“The MADE Alliance brings us closer to our priorities of feeding Africa and improving quality of life,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank. “It connects farmers to markets, financing, and modern agricultural practices.”

The AfDB has already committed $300 million to support the first five years of MADE programming.

Digital Agriculture Roadmaps, developed by the World Bank, will serve as tailored country-level action plans to scale the adoption of technology in farming practices, especially in countries where agricultural reform is central to economic development.

Early Success Stories Across Africa

Since its launch, MADE Alliance programs have begun transforming local communities:

• Tanzania: Digital payment tools are being provided to 50,000 sunflower farmers, enabling transparent transactions and faster payments.

• Kenya: High-speed internet access and digital literacy training have reached 13 farmers’ cooperatives, impacting over 10,000 farmers and their families.

• The Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, with AfDB funding, is building financial readiness for 250,000 farmers to improve access to loans and insurance.

These early projects exemplify the Alliance’s strategic model—bringing together financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, and agriculture modernization.

Expanding the Alliance

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) became a member of the Alliance in April 2025, further strengthening global support. Other prominent MADE Alliance members include:

• Equity Bank Group

• Microsoft

• Heifer International

• Sustainable Agriculture Foundation

• Unconnected.org

• Yara

• Shell Foundation

• Tanzania’s CRDB Bank

• Syngenta Foundation (Kenya and Nigeria)

Tara Nathan, Executive Vice President of Community Pass at Mastercard and a founding member of the Alliance, highlighted the strategic importance of these partnerships:

“The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture. With their support, we can deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our mission to bring everyone into the digital economy.”

Looking Ahead: Empowering Africa's Digital Future

The MADE Alliance: Africa represents a model of multilateral cooperation—government, private sector, and development institutions converging to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

Over the next decade, the focus will expand to include financial services, education, healthcare, and e-governance, building a robust and inclusive digital economy that can weather the challenges of the 21st century.

As Africa continues its rapid demographic and economic transformation, the MADE Alliance—with the World Bank now on board—has the potential to unlock massive economic and social returns, reshaping how Africa connects, trades, and thrives.