The African Development Bank Group and MasterCard are spearheading a transformative new initiative, the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa, which aims to give 100 million Africans and companies digital access to essential services over the next decade. This ambitious partnership seeks to harness the power of digitalization to unlock economic growth and drive inclusive development across the continent, ensuring that Africa’s communities can participate fully in the digital economy.
As part of its $300 million commitment to the Alliance’s first five years of programming, the African Development Bank will focus on bringing 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria into the digital economy. This will be facilitated through MasterCard’s Community Pass, a program that provides farmers with digital credentials, enabling them to access a network of agricultural agents and digital services that are crucial for their growth. The initiative’s early phase targets these key agricultural markets, setting the foundation for broader digital transformation across the continent.
The MADE Alliance Africa is a multi-stakeholder effort involving prominent organizations such as Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, the Shell Foundation, and CRDB Bank. Additionally, it receives financial backing from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), further strengthening its ability to reach millions of smallholder farmers and underserved populations across Africa.
Speaking on World Food Day, Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, highlighted the immense potential for agriculture to drive development in Africa. With 65% of the planet’s remaining uncultivated, arable land located on the continent, agriculture offers a vital path to economic growth, accounting for nearly 60% of employment and over 25% of GDP in low-income countries. Digitalizing agriculture, therefore, is not just an opportunity but a necessity for advancing Africa’s economic and social development.
Dr. Dunford also underscored the indispensable role of women in agriculture, who contribute an estimated 60% to 80% of labor in the sector. By providing digital access to critical agricultural services, MADE Alliance Africa aims to empower women, improve productivity, and elevate livelihoods, positioning the continent as a potential breadbasket to the world. Digital tools like the Community Pass will help bridge the gap for smallholder farmers by facilitating access to quality inputs, financing, and digital agricultural services.
With MADE Alliance Africa, the stage is set for a transformative shift in Africa’s agriculture landscape. By addressing the barriers faced by smallholder farmers, the initiative aims to not only enhance agricultural productivity but also lift communities out of poverty and foster sustainable development. This is a significant step toward realizing Africa’s digital and agricultural potential through innovative, scalable solutions.
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