Investing In Africa: Vice President Harris Announces Major Commitments to Digital Inclusion in Africa
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The Need to Invest in African Innovation
In a groundbreaking initiative to boost digital inclusion in Africa, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a series of public and private sector commitments aimed at advancing digital infrastructure, empowering women, and fostering economic growth on the continent. The Vice President's announcement builds on her historic trip to Africa in 2023, where she emphasized the need to invest in African innovation and creativity.
A Commitment to African Ingenuity
During her speech in Accra, Ghana, Vice President Harris underscored the importance of African ideas and innovations in shaping the future. She highlighted the Biden-Harris administration's dedication to partnering with African nations to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship. This commitment is reflected in the various initiatives and partnerships announced, which are designed to bridge the digital divide and promote economic and social equality.
Mobilizing Resources for Digital Inclusion
Key numerical facts extracted from the briefing include:
Over $7 billion in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation commitments.
$1 billion in commitments to empower African women, including closing the gender digital divide.
The United States government has invested $82 million in new digital infrastructure, programming, and projects in Africa since the launch of the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative.
A key highlight of the Vice President's announcement is the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa. This initiative, led by the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, aims to provide digital access to 100 million individuals and businesses over the next decade. The focus will initially be on supporting the agricultural sector and women, starting with a pilot program to provide digital access for three million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. The African Development Bank Group has committed $300 million to support MADE Alliance programs, while Mastercard plans to register 15 million users in Africa onto its Community Pass platform.
Empowering Women through Technology
One of the most significant aspects of the Vice President's efforts is the focus on closing the digital gender divide. The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) and related initiatives have now generated over $1 billion in public and private commitments to accelerate gender digital equality. Total commitments for women’s economic empowerment initiatives have reached $3 billion. Additional investments include $500,000 in direct U.S. contributions to WiDEF and $46 million in aligned U.S. commitments, as well as $145 million in new, aligned partner commitments to the Women in the Digital Economy Initiative.
The Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA)
The newly created Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA) aims to double the number of people connected to the internet by 2030, increasing connectivity from 40% to 80%. This initiative will support affordable internet access, lower device costs, and enhance digital skills across the continent. The PDAA's goals align with the broader Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative, which seeks to expand digital access and literacy. The PDAA also targets increasing connectivity for women and girls from 30% to 80%.
Additional Commitments
Several other organizations and initiatives have announced significant contributions to support digital inclusion and women's economic empowerment in Africa:
USAID will provide $1 million and Girls First Kenya, Ltd. provides $800,000 for young women using the Girls First Finance digital platform.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will provide an estimated $40 million through 2029 to initiatives supporting women in digital and financial literacy.
The U.S. Department of State has awarded a $300,000 grant to help reduce barriers for women and girls in digital access.
Mozilla Foundation is providing over $7.5 million through 2027 to initiatives focusing on closing the gender digital divide.
Jersey is providing $5 million by 2027 to support digital financial inclusion for over 72,000 women and girls.
Shell Foundation and the UK’s FCDO have committed $3.6 million to provide 100,000 smallholder farmers with access to affordable credit.
Pfizer has invested $300,000 by 2024 to develop and launch the “Living With” app in Africa.
HP commits to supporting 5.2 million students, teachers, and caregivers, including 2.7 million women and girls.
Unilever PLC is targeting 2.5 million small and medium enterprises by 2026 with a focus on women.
Cherie Blair Foundation for Women aims to reach 200,000 more women globally by 2026 to digitize their enterprises.
These figures underscore the scale and diversity of the commitments made to advance digital inclusion and women's economic empowerment in Africa.
An Opportunity to Invest in Africa's Digital Future
The Vice President's announcement is a call to action as well as an oppurtunity for businesses, philanthropic organizations, and individuals to invest in Africa's digital future. By supporting these initiatives, stakeholders can help unlock the continent's potential, drive economic growth, and create opportunities for millions of people. For more information on how you can contribute to these transformative efforts and others, visit infodeon.com.
