Microsoft announced a major milestone in its global connectivity agenda, confirming that it has surpassed its 2025 goal by providing internet access to more than 117 million people across Africa.
The announcement was made during the B20 South Africa Summit, where the company also announced a ground-breaking partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to launch a pan-African blended finance scheme to unlock capital and digital tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector.
The new facility will mobilize large-scale agricultural investment over five years and equip small and medium-sized enterprises with the digital tools and AI-enabled solutions they need to scale efficiently. By incorporating digital readiness into financial models, the initiative aims to transform capital into long-term productivity gains and serve as a blueprint for how technology and finance can accelerate agricultural modernization across the continent. The partnership leverages AfDB’s financial leadership and Microsoft’s digital ecosystem capabilities to build a new model for agricultural growth powered by sustainable technology.
During the summit, Microsoft Chief Sustainability Officer Melanie Nakagawa emphasized that connectivity continues to be the foundation for AI adoption and inclusive digital participation. “Without access to the internet, the potential of technology remains out of reach. To meaningfully participate in this moment of transformation, we must equip people with the skills to use these digital tools.”
In 2022, Microsoft is the first to commit to increasing its investments in connectivity in Africa by expanding access to the internet, promoting digital literacy, and increasing AI readiness. The 117 million-plus number is the result of multi-layered partnerships with internet service providers, middle-mile infrastructure providers, hardware manufacturers, local innovators, and multilateral organizations. This model allows Microsoft to sustainably reach underserved communities while reducing infrastructure costs and supporting the growth of local digital ecosystems.
The impact of this work is being felt across the continent. In rural Kenya, reliable connectivity provided by Mawing, Microsoft’s long-time connectivity partner in East Africa, has enabled a clinic in Laikipia County to use video conferencing to consult experts in Nairobi, improving patient outcomes in remote areas where medical expertise is scarce.
Mawingu has also partnered with Mastercard’s MADE Alliance to connect farmer cooperatives and support digital skills programs for over 50,000 farmers, expanding market access and improving yields through data-driven agriculture. Across South Africa, Microsoft is also working with partners such as Ilitha, Liquid and Cisco, as well as local community organizations, to expand broadband and digital skills. Through our partnership with M-KOPA, Microsoft has also supported access to over 6 million connected devices through an affordable pay-as-you-go model.
Having achieved this connectivity milestone, Microsoft is now working toward the next frontier of combining digital access with AI-enabled solutions that drive economic development, job creation, and climate resilience. Nakagawa emphasized that the goal is to ensure that Africa is not left behind as AI reshapes the global economy. “We are turning access into impact and connectivity into transformation,” she said.
“The challenges we face are immense, but so is our ability to act. The connectivity milestones in Africa and the launch of the Agriculture and Small Business Facility demonstrate what is possible when technology and finance work together. No one company can close the digital divide or unlock the opportunities of AI alone. But together, we can turn access into impact and ambition into action,” Nakagawa concluded.
