Microsoft expands internet access to over 117 million people across Africa and supports African agriculture and digital infrastructure with African Development Bank
Nairobi, Kenya — November 27, 2025 — Microsoft, during the B20 South Africa Summit last week, announced that the company has provided internet access to over 117 million people in Africa, exceeding its 2025 target. It also announced a collaboration with the African Development Bank to support small and medium enterprises in Africa’s agriculture sector through finance and technology.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Over 117 Million Africans Connected
Microsoft announced its intention to deepen its connectivity commitments in Africa in 2022 by expanding access to internet and skills building. This milestone is the result of strategic partnerships with local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), hardware producers, and multilateral organizations, and marks a pivotal step in closing the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth across the continent.
“Connectivity is a key enabler for AI adoption and inclusive growth,” Melanie Nakagawa, chief sustainability officer, Microsoft said. “Without access to the internet, the promise of technology remains out of reach. To meaningfully participate in this moment of transformation, we must also empower people with the skills to use these digital tools.”
Microsoft aims to pair digital access with AI-driven solutions that fuel economic development and job creation. Reliable internet access has created new opportunities for communities, including better video conferencing for patient care in rural Kenya, more affordable devices and youth-focused gaming centers in South Africa, and high-speed broadband with free community Wi-Fi that boost economic engagement and digital literacy, also in South Africa.
A Blueprint for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation in the Digital Age
Microsoft has also committed to support the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s establishment of a pan-African financing facility to support small and medium enterprises in agriculture. The initiative will combine financial investment with improved digital access to increase productivity, and boost climate resilience, using AfDB’s financial expertise and Microsoft’s technology.
Digital access and AI-enabled solutions can unlock opportunities for growth, resilience, and inclusion. Our connectivity milestone in Africa and the launch of the AfDB Financing Agribusiness SME Trust Fund will demonstrate what is possible when technology and finance move together to scale solutions, because no single company can close the digital divide and activate AI opportunity alone.