Microsoft Connects 117 Million People in Africa, Launches New AfDB Partnership
By Editorial Team
Microsoft has crossed a major connectivity milestone after confirming it has now connected more than 117 million people across Africa. The company announced the achievement during the B20 South Africa Summit in Nairobi, saying it had surpassed its 2025 target.
At the event, Microsoft also revealed a new partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). The collaboration will establish a pan-African blended finance facility that will unlock capital and digital tools for small and medium enterprises in the agriculture sector.
Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Melanie Nakagawa, said the milestone marked an important moment for Africa’s digital future. She noted that connectivity remains the foundation of AI use and inclusive digital participation. Nakagawa said people cannot enjoy the benefits of technology without access to the internet. She added that meaningful participation also depends on skills that help people use digital tools confidently.
Microsoft committed in 2022 to deepen its investment in African connectivity. This included expanding internet access, digital literacy and AI readiness. The company says reaching 117 million people was made possible through strong partnerships with Internet Service Providers, middle-mile operators, hardware makers, local innovators and global organizations. These collaborations helped the company reach underserved communities in a sustainable way, lower infrastructure costs and support the growth of local digital ecosystems.
The results of these efforts are already visible. In rural Kenya, connectivity delivered by Mawingu, Microsoft’s longest-serving partner in East Africa, has transformed healthcare access. Clinics in Laikipia County now use video conferencing to consult specialists in Nairobi, improving patient care in remote areas.
Mawingu is also working with Mastercard’s MADE Alliance to connect farmer groups and support digital skills programmes. The initiative aims to train more than 50,000 farmers, improve market access and boost yields through data-driven farming.
Across South Africa, Microsoft partners with Ilitha, Liquid, Cisco and community organisations to expand broadband and digital skills. Through another partnership with M-KOPA, the company has helped more than six million people access internet-enabled devices using pay-as-you-go models.
With the connectivity target achieved, Microsoft is now focusing on pairing digital access with AI-powered solutions. Nakagawa said the company wants to ensure Africa keeps pace as AI reshapes global markets. She stressed that Microsoft aims to turn “access into impact, and connectivity into transformation.”
The new partnership with the African Development Bank is central to this next step. The Agri-SME Facility will support agriculture enterprises using a blend of investment and digital ecosystem tools. The initiative will mobilise large-scale agricultural financing over five years. It will also equip SMEs with digital tools and AI solutions to help them scale.
By embedding digital readiness into financial models, the programme aims to drive long-term productivity, strengthen food systems and offer a blueprint for tech-enabled agricultural growth. The partnership combines AfDB’s financial leadership with Microsoft’s digital expertise to build a new model for sustainable development.
Nakagawa said the achievements and new initiatives show what is possible when technology and finance work together. She noted that no single player can close the digital divide or unlock AI opportunities alone. She called on partners across sectors to join Microsoft in accelerating Africa’s digital and economic transformation.
