AfDB and Visa formalize strategic collaboration to expand digital access and identification solutions
July 1st 2025
(AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) – The African Development Bank and Visa have formalized their cooperation to transform Africa’s digital ecosystem. This partnership aims to make mobile devices, computers, and payment terminals more affordable, expand access to secure digital identity solutions, and strengthen cybersecurity on the continent.
Officialized at the recent African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, this collaboration will support the creation of a mechanism to provide affordable devices, bridging the gap between internet usage and connectivity and bringing digital solutions closer to citizens.
The collaboration will also focus on promoting broader digital inclusion by expanding access to secure and scalable digital identity solutions, increasing the adoption of digital payment technologies, and strengthening cybersecurity across the financial ecosystem.
“ We are delighted to partner with the African Development Bank to drive digital transformation in Africa ,” said Ismahill Diaby, Vice President and Head of West Africa and the French and Portuguese-speaking Hub at Visa. “ This collaboration is in line with our mission to enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive by connecting them digitally. Through these initiatives, we will continue our efforts to bridge the digital divide, strengthen financial inclusion, and build a secure digital ecosystem for all Africans .”
By combining the Bank’s extensive regional knowledge with Visa’s global expertise in cybersecurity and digital payments, the collaboration will improve access to digital financial services, strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, and promote financial inclusion for millions of people on the continent.
“ Africa’s digital future depends on inclusive access to affordable devices and secure digital identities ,” said Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Group Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization. “ By equipping citizens with the tools and skills they need, we are opening opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and financial inclusion for millions of people across the continent. ”
About Visa:
Visa is a global leader in digital payments, enabling transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network—enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. We believe inclusive economies everywhere contribute to the well-being of all, and we view access as a key enabler of the future of money.
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