Vice President Kamala Harris announced a partnership on Friday that aims to increase internet access in Africa by 40%, reaching 80% connectivity across the country.
This initiative expands on a previous commitment Harris made during her visit to the continent last year, focusing on accelerating the innovation and entrepreneurship already happening in Africa. She called upon business and philanthropic leaders to invest in the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, which was introduced by President Joe Biden in December 2022.
During the announcement, Harris revealed the establishment of the non-profit Partnership for Digital Access in Africa, through which she pledged to connect 1 billion people in Africa to the Internet by 2030 and enhance connectivity for women and girls by 50%. The non-profit will also work on reducing device costs and improving digital skills for Africans in collaboration with a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Furthermore, Harris introduced a partnership between the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard known as the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy Alliance. This alliance will focus initially on the agricultural sector, providing $300 million for the development of digital infrastructure benefiting 3 million farmers in three African countries before expanding to other regions.
Harris also mentioned increased funding for the Women in the Digital Economy Fund, which she announced in 2023 and has amassed over $1 billion in public and private commitments.
While speaking alongside Kenyan President William Ruto at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Harris emphasized the importance of empowering women in the digital realm to strengthen economies. Both leaders highlighted the potential of African innovation to shape the future, with Harris noting that by 2050, 1 in 4 people in the world will be from Africa.
“Investing in women is one of the smartest ways to strengthen economies,” Harris stated. “Improving the economic status of women has positive ripple effects on families, communities, and society at large. This perspective guided much of the design of these initiatives.”
Ruto and Harris underscored the significance of investment in African capacity and innovation, emphasizing the continent’s promising future and the need for strategic investments with substantial returns.
