World Bank backs MADE Alliance to boost Africa’s digital access

By Vriti Gothi

In a move that underscores its commitment to inclusive digital development, the World Bank Group has joined the Mobilising Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as a co-chair, alongside the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, to extend digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034.

This expanded leadership coalition positions MADE Alliance: Africa as a transformative force in the continent’s digital ecosystem. The alliance brings together public and private sector stakeholders to close connectivity gaps, foster interoperable digital services, and scale inclusive innovation. With its global experience in data-driven policymaking and sustainable digital development, the World Bank Group will help drive the Alliance’s mission to deliver secure, affordable, and high-quality broadband and data infrastructure.

At the core of the Alliance’s early-stage efforts is a focus on agriculture, a vital sector for both economic resilience and food security across Africa. World Bank-supported Digital Agriculture Roadmaps, actionable national strategies for digital transformation, will guide MADE’s implementation in key regions. This approach ensures tailored support for smallholder farmers while enabling interoperable platforms for data sharing, financing, and market access.

Mastercard, a founding co-chair of the Alliance, brings deep expertise in digital infrastructure and financial inclusion. The company’s Community Pass platform, already active across various underserved markets, complements the Alliance’s ambition of interoperable and scalable digital access.

Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank, said, “The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa, and joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate efforts to improve livelihoods, empower communities and drive economic growth across the continent. 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, Mastercard, said, “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 honoured they have joined the Alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

The Alliance continues to grow its network of collaborators. The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) joined as a member in April 2025. Other partners include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Shell Foundation, CRDB Bank (Tanzania), and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.

As a future-oriented platform with an emphasis on shared values and inclusive access, MADE Alliance: Africa is poised to play a critical role in realising the continent’s digital and economic potential fostering opportunity from the ground up, one connection at a time.