The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Mastercard have announced the launch of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa, a new initiative aiming to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million people and businesses across Africa over the next decade.
Focus on Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Women
The Alliance will prioritize the agricultural sector and women’s empowerment in its initial phase.
The alliance noted that African economies rely heavily on women, and investing in women entrepreneurs is a strategic move to empower them and enhance their decision-making abilities in business, family, and community affairs.
“This approach is not only socially responsible but also economically sound, and the African Development Bank has made it a fundamental requirement for all its initiatives to prioritize women’s empowerment.”
A $300 million commitment over five years will be used to bring 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria into the digital economy via Mastercard Community Pass.
“Africa is home to 65% of the planet’s remaining uncultivated, arable land, and we believe that agriculture is a critical sector to drive Africa’s development,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “Across the continent, there’s no agriculture without women. They provide an estimated 60% to 80% of labor input to the sector.”
Community Pass: A Gateway to Digital Services
Mastercard’s Community Pass will provide digital credentials to millions of smallholder farmers and women, acting as a gateway to accessing digital services and high-quality agricultural inputs.
“Community Pass is designed to operate in remote and rural communities — often with limited connectivity and energy access,” explained Dr. Dunford. “However, we believe these challenges can be overcome through capacity building, infrastructure development, and new models for collaboration between governments and the private sector.”
The Alliance is a collaborative effort, with members including Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, and CRDB Bank.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is also providing financial support.
MADE Alliance Africa is a catalyst for economic growth by bridging the digital divide and enabling: increased efficiency in agricultural marketplaces; reduced waste and fraud; connection between farmers and new buyers and suppliers; empowerment of women farmers through financial inclusion and access to information; and fostering economic growth across the continent.
