Author: sHq_LoGiNz

ScottsMiracle-Gro continues to expand its partnership with Trex to recycle plastic film waste from its production operations. Soil bag trimmings and bags scrapped due to standard quality checks or failures are diverted from landfill through the NexTrex commercial recycling program.

Thus far in FY2025, more than 135,000 lb of plastic waste was diverted from our Lawrenceville, Virginia, and Carrollton, Kentucky, sites via the NexTrex program. Trex processes recovered plastic film into flakes, which are then combined with reclaimed lumber to make composite decking, railing and other outdoor items. The program is being rolled out to additional ScottsMiracle-Gro sites in FY25.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com. 

View original content here.

Originally published on nextgov.com

By Edward Graham,
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Over the past year, mobile telecommunications provider T-Mobile has been working to deploy advanced capabilities to regions ravaged by natural disasters in order to help first responders maintain access to key services. 

In an interview with Nextgov/FCW, Nicole Hudnet — emergency response team advisor for T-Mobile Business Group — said the provider has been working to deploy new technologies and provide enhanced network connectivity to areas devastated by wildfires and hurricanes, with the company further working to strengthen its partnerships with state and local authorities. 

Last September, T-Mobile unveiled T-Priority, which Hudnet called “the nation’s first 5G network slice to give our first responders more reliable data connectivity, the faster speeds and the lower latency, even during those times of congestion.”

Initially, New York City was announced as the “anchor customer” for T-Priority, but Hudnet said the service is designed to expand across networks, particularly during times of extreme congestion. 

“Why is this so critical for our first responders is they’re deploying more drones and AI-enabled technologies and data intensive communications — body worn cameras, traffic cameras, mapping tools — than ever before,” Hudnet said.

T-Mobile has also been working to provide the Department of Defense with 5G services to help the U.S. military maintain network reliability around the globe.

In response to a series of wildfires in Southern California earlier this year — including the devastating Palisades fire that burned more than 20,000 acres in Los Angeles County — T-Mobile activated more than 350 T-Priority hotspots and routers to help the Los Angeles Fire Department use the dedicated slice of the provider’s 5G network. 

The company also deployed its emergency response teams to Los Angeles, which help to assist first responders with frontline connectivity services. 

Beyond providing on-the-ground assistance to first responders, T-Mobile is part of emergency response working groups from the federal level down to the state and local levels. Hudnet said part of this work includes developing public-private partnerships ahead of disasters “so that when these events occur, you’re aware of the resources that are available.”

“Our goal is to really connect with those [emergency operations centers] at especially the state and local level, because that is where a lot of the heartbeat of that response is,” she added. “And so we’re coordinating with these emergency operations centers to prioritize and understand the priorities in the communities, and also the priorities serving their first responders.”

She said the provider has been conducting exercises with government agencies, such as FEMA, and that “it’s really important that agencies bring in all of their providers — whether it’s a tabletop exercise or a full-scale exercise — so that we go through these scenarios together.”

T-Mobile has also deployed other advanced tools to help frontline responders, including artificial intelligence-powered technologies and drones. 

After Hurricane Helene led to widespread flooding across Asheville, North Carolina, last September, Hudnet said T-Mobile’s response teams worked with the town’s police department to provide recon and assessments through the use of its heavy-lift and search and rescue drones. 

Hudnet also noted that the provider’s enhanced self-organizing network “uses real time data and AI to detect issues and adapt automatically to give first responders reliable connectivity before, during and after disasters.” The networks, which can reduce coverage gaps in regions where they are deployed, were used in response to both Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires. 

T-Mobile is already working to expand its partnerships with local jurisdictions. After last year’s announcement that New York City would be its “anchor customer” for T-Priority, the provider announced in February that it signed a major agreement with the city “to be the single carrier for all its public safety network.” 

India’s agriculture is at a turning point, with nearly 42% of its workforce reliant on small farms (IFAD). The sector faces mounting pressure: water scarcity, rising debt, and up to 15% post-harvest losses (NABARD study). In the last three years, 70% of smallholders have lost half or more of a crop, with 71% reporting severe climate impacts and incomes down 15.7% since 2022 (2024 Farmer Voice survey). Ultimately, by 2030, India is projected to see a substantial 5.8% decline in working hours – equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs – due to heat stress (WEF).

Yet, the promise of AI-driven innovation is real: investing in 15 foundational agricultural datasets could unlock $65 billion in value for Indian farmers (WEF), making food systems more resilient and profitable. According to the India Digital Agriculture Council, only 30% of Indian farmers were using digital tools—representing a vast, untapped opportunity for climate-smart transformation.

The Cisco Foundation’s Regenerative Future Fund and Climate Grants Portfolio support tech ventures and nonprofits that combine technology and farmers’ engagement for a more regenerative future. This means scaling reforestation, soil health, carbon markets, and nature-based solutions across India. Here are a few examples.

Mitti Labs: Transforming Rice for Climate and Livelihoods

Rice farming consumes 30% of the world’s freshwater (WFP) and produces 12% of global methane emissions (WWF)—making it central to India’s food and climate goals. Mitti Labs is pioneering a tech-driven approach to decarbonize rice production and reward regenerative practices.

Supported by the Regenerative Future Fund, an impact-first venture fund, Mitti Labs’ AI-powered digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) platform combines satellite and sensor data with field support to help farmers adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). AWD reduces methane and water use by up to 40% while maintaining or increasing yields. According to Mitti Labs, here are a few ways they are gaining traction:

• Field results are compelling: In Telangana’s Warangal, AWD cut water use by 37% while maintaining yields. In Haryana’s Safidon, AWD reduced water by 19% with no yield loss. These results mean lower methane emissions, improved water conservation, and new income streams for thousands of climate-vulnerable farmers.
• Marketplace leadership: Partnering with Carbon Place, Good Carbon, Ceezer, and Cloverly, Mitti Labs enables secure purchases of methane-based carbon credits for buyers globally that would like to support avoidance efforts. Its entire 2025 offset supply is fully allocated, with more set for 2026 and 2027.
• Global recognition: Sylvera, a carbon ratings agency, called Mitti Labs a “key enabler” of methane reduction in rice (Sylvera, 2024).

As Madhuri, a Mitti Labs Field Manager in Warangal, shares, “It is encouraging to see more and more farmers understanding our AWD programs and coming forward to join our movement.” Community leaders echo the impact: “One in every four farmers in Warangal is now participating.”

Since 2023, Mitti Labs has onboarded 30,000 farmers, expanded digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) capabilities to 10 million hectares, and launched projects with partners like Syngenta Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. Their pipeline spans India and Southeast Asia, targeting 200,000+ farmers and over one million carbon avoidance credits per year. With tech and new markets, Mitti Labs is shaping the future of rice decarbonization.

Digital Green: AI for Climate-Resilient, Regenerative Farming

Digital Green is transforming agricultural advisory services for smallholder farmers through its AI-powered assistant, Farmer.Chat. This innovative platform addresses the need for timely, localized, and actionable farm and market recommendations — especially for resource-poor, low-literacy, and low-connectivity populations. Farmers and extension workers can resolve queries using voice, text, images, or video in regional languages. The platform provides crucial information such as weather forecasts, crop and pest disease warnings, and reminders for regenerative practices.

Supported by the Cisco Foundation’s Climate Grant Portfolio in 2024, Farmer.Chat has reached over 460,000 smallholder farmers since its launch in 2022. Evidence shows it drives behavior changes, particularly in adopting regenerative practices like improved crop nutrition, disease management, soil health, and organic fertilization.

With women making up over 42% of India’s agricultural labor force — and facing barriers like lower mobile phone ownership — Digital Green’s design enables climate-smart advice to reach those who need it.

As CEO Rikin Gandhi shares, “Thanks to partners like Cisco Foundation, we’re helping build a more resilient, equitable food system—one voice, one decision, one farmer at a time.”

Farmers for Forests: AI-Powered Monitoring for Reforestation

Farmers for Forests (F4F) is using AI to revolutionize monitoring in agroforestry practices, particularly in regions facing significant tree cover and biodiversity loss — India alone has lost 5 million trees in two decades. With support from the Cisco Foundation’s Climate Grants Portfolio, F4F is developing an open-source AI platform using drone and satellite data for scalable, accurate monitoring.

The platform detects even small trees under four feet — often missed by traditional satellite models — and monitors carbon sequestration and irrigation infrastructure. It integrates computer vision models like Meta’s Detectron-2 and DeepForest, plus AI trained on tree datasets for species classification and biomass estimation. These tools enable carbon estimation and biodiversity mapping, supporting holistic ecological restoration.

F4F’s vision is to enable high-integrity, data-backed reforestation and agroforestry across one million hectares by 2030. Their technology empowers grassroots implementers—especially smallholder and tribal communities—with transparent, cost-effective, and scalable monitoring, fostering improved tree survival, enhanced biodiversity, and the creation of jobs. The platform’s focus on vulnerable farmers enables AI-driven insights to translate into tangible benefits like increased water security, improved soil health, and greater resilience through efficient resource management and carbon sequestration.

Harnessing AI for Agriculture in India

In addition to the Regenerative Future Fund and the Climate Grant Portfolio, Cisco’s India CSR program is also working to support the agritech startup ecosystem in India through Krishi Mangal (with Social Alpha), supporting startups like TraceX (advanced AI-ML supply chain compliance and deforestation monitoring), Satyukt Analytics (satellite and AI-powered insights for agriculture) and Jaljeevika (AI-driven chatbots for aquaculture, boosting productivity and traceability).

Cisco and the Cisco Foundation’s holistic investment strategy aligns with global recommendations: build digital infrastructure, data ecosystems, and scalable AI applications for India’s 150 million smallholders, building on AI’s 40% growth rate in the last five years (WEF). This platform approach isn’t just about tech — it’s about transforming yields, transparency, and resilience at scale.

This blog was written with assistance from Stasi Baranoff, Cisco’s Climate Grant Portfolio, TekSystems at Cisco.

View original content here.

Sofidel

• Consolidated turnover at 3.225 billion euros, EBITDA at 17.85%.
• The Shareholders’ Meeting appoints the new Board of Directors of Sofidel SpA. 

PORCARI, Italy /3BL/ – The Shareholders’ Meeting of Sofidel, one of the world leaders in the production of paper for hygienic and domestic use, known in particular in Italy and Europe for the Regina brand, closes 2024 with positive economic and financial results.

Consolidated turnover stands at 3.225 billion euros (up + 3% compared to 3.129 billion in 2023), with an EBITDA margin of 17.85% (in 2023 it stood at 21.11%). 

On the environmental front, the commitment to ecological transition continued, with a 19.5% reduction in specific emissions compared to the base year 2018, in line with the objectives defined with the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to achieve the Net Zero target by 2050.

The year was marked by major investments in the United States, including the acquisition of the tissue division of Clearwater Paper Corporation, worth approximately $1 billion (the largest ever made by Sofidel), which brought four new production plants and 1,700 new employees into the Group’s scope, increasing production capacity by 342,000 tonnes per year, equal to 25% of the Group’s total.

“2024 was a significant year. The acquisition of the tissue division of Clearwater Paper Corporation strengthens our position on the North American market where we now have two production expansion projects underway – in the Duluth, Minnesota, and Circleville, Ohio plants – and where we are working to grow further. In Europe, we continued our policy of market consolidation and implemented numerous production process efficiency measures as part of the energy transition strategy to help us meet our Net Zero by 2050 objective,” said Luigi Lazzareschi, CEO of Sofidel .

The new Board of Directors of Sofidel SpA

Following the premature passing of Chairman and shareholder Edilio Stefani, the Shareholders’ Meeting of Sofidel SpA has appointed Paola Stefani, daughter of co-founder Emi Stefani, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sofidel SpA. She is a partner who has been on the Board of Directors for over 20 years and has a previous ten-year experience working in the company.

Nicolò Stefani, already a Director since 2021, is appointed Chief Executive Officer, assuming all the attributions and signature powers previously held by his father Edilio Stefani, including responsibilities on the Boards of all subsidiaries. 

At the same time, two other members of the third generation of the founding families are joining the Board of Directors of Sofidel SpA: Federico De Matteis and Davide Giacomelli, who have already been active in the company for several years as Financial & Operations Coordination Manager – USA and Consolidate Financial Statement Controller respectively.

Also among the new members is Antonio Pace as a Councilor.  

On the eve of the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of Sofidel (1966), we once again see the Group positioned with strength and determination towards the future.

This is the new composition of the Board of Directors of Sofidel SpA:

Paola Stefani, President; Luigi Lazzareschi, Chief Executive Officer, Nicolò Stefani; Chief Executive Officer; Davide Giacomelli, Director; Federico De Matteis, Director; Chiara Mio, Director; Silvio Bianchi Martini, Director; Andrea Munari, Director; Alessandro Solidoro, Director; Antonio Pace, Director. 

Nasdaq

Proper board succession planning—the systematic process of identifying and placing qualified candidates in current or upcoming board seat vacancies—is vital for corporate stability and continuity. However, many companies struggle to recognize its importance. Findings from the Nasdaq 2024 Global Governance Pulse survey shows that private companies are half as likely to have a formalized board succession plan in place compared to public companies. And only 28% of all survey respondents believe their succession planning process is effective.

Board succession planning should be directly aligned with the company’s vision for its future. Approaching board composition from a strategic analysis can help keep the board’s aggregate composition aligned with business objectives and ensure that board transitions are seamless and avoid causing reputational damage.

Read the blog to learn the 5 components of effective board succession planning.

By Matt Borst

Previously published by TechRadar Pro

The race to develop software-defined vehicles (SDV) is accelerating, with clear front-runners already releasing SDVs ready for the road, while others scramble to reorganize software divisions.

The SDV market is expected to grow to between $400-600 billion by 2030, according to Deloitte. However, the rush to produce software architectures capable of handling the latest autonomous features as well as over-the-air (OTA) updates must also remember that safety and security must remain of paramount importance

One of the latest releases comes from Toyota. The world’s largest automaker recently showcased its 2026 RAV4 and announced the model will be entirely electrified for its sixth generation.

The impact of this new release is garnering significant attention, especially considering Toyota sold almost 1 million RAV4s in 2024—over 5% of global vehicles sold last year. However, a lesser-known feature in the 2026 RAV4 could prove just as revolutionary for Toyota’s future.

Toyota announced that the 2026 RAV4 will feature its all-new Arene automotive software platform. This system was developed by its software and automated driving subsidiary, Woven by Toyota. Initially, Arene will enable its updated Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 driver-assist system as well as next-generation Toyota Audio Multimedia System. While this may seem minimal to start, the automaker acknowledges that Arene is its first public step toward full SDV capabilities.

This initial release of Arene enables three key aspects of SDV functionality:

1. It unifies software design, coding, testing, and deployment—allowing developers to build applications across multiple vehicles.

2. It facilitates the testing and validation of the software in virtual environments, reducing development time and cost.

3. It more safely collects and manages data to support OTA updates of the software system.

Toyota recognizes that Arene is a critical focus area as it tries to keep up with competitors like Hyundai with its Pleos system or Chinese automakers like BYD and Xiaomi who have accelerated vehicle development timelines to half of what traditional OEMs take.

Shortening time-to-market is a key driver behind SDVs as the focus remains around software that can be produced at any time rather than time-consuming hardware development that must be finalized before production. However, not all automakers have been as successful at keeping pace and the race to be first can introduce some undesired consequences: security issues.

Cybersecurity for a Software-Defined Future

This rush towards software-driven transformation promises unprecedented levels of autonomy, connectivity, and customization, but it also introduces a new era of complex cybersecurity challenges. The importance of robust security in SDVs cannot be overstated; it is fundamental to the safety, reliability, and trust consumers place in these advanced vehicles.

While all modern vehicles generate vast amounts of data, SDVs require the highest levels of connected capabilities both internally and externally to its environment, like cellular and the cloud.

New, more powerful onboard high-performance computing facilitates this connectivity, enabling advanced features such as OTA updates, personalized customer experiences, and autonomous systems. However, every line of code, every connected service, and every communication pathway represents a potential attack point.

That is why the most critical concern for SDV connectivity is safety and security. A successful cyberattack on an SDV could have serious consequences, which could potentially lead to accidents or other scenarios endangering the occupants of the vehicle, other road users, and pedestrians.

Attackers could disable critical safety features, manipulate sensor data to cause misinterpretation, or even remotely lock or unlock doors. The potential for large-scale, simultaneous attacks on fleets of vehicles also presents a severe prospect for public safety.

Cyber attacks were up

The Upstream 2025 Global Automotive and Smart Mobility Cybersecurity Report claims that cyber attacks were up significantly in 2024, with 60% of all attacks having high or massive-scale impact and 92% of attacks executed remotely. Large scale ransomware attacks are causing significant industry disruption, like the CDK Global attack in 2024.The gap between enterprise-wide cyber resilience and the rising scale of attacks has never been more apparent.

The interconnected nature of SDVs also means that vulnerabilities in one component or system can have a domino effect across the entire ecosystem. A weakness in a third-party application or a charging station could be exploited to gain access to an entire vehicle’s network. This necessitates a comprehensive and proactive approach to automotive cybersecurity testing.

That is why automotive manufacturers now need holistic testing platforms that assess the entire supply chain, from chip manufacturers to service providers, that meet global cybersecurity standards like ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE WP.29. Continuous monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and rapid incident responses are now essential for mitigating risks in this evolving, dynamic environment.

Cybersecurity is no longer an add-on feature for software-defined vehicles; it is a fundamental aspect that secures its very existence and functionality. The promise of SDVs, of enhanced safety, convenience, and autonomy, remains vulnerable to exploitation without robust cybersecurity measures. The future of transportation for all hinges on the industry’s ability to build not just smarter vehicles, but more secure ones as well.

We list the best site for hiring developers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Continue reading here.

By Matt Borst

Previously published by TechRadar Pro

The race to develop software-defined vehicles (SDV) is accelerating, with clear front-runners already releasing SDVs ready for the road, while others scramble to reorganize software divisions.

The SDV market is expected to grow to between $400-600 billion by 2030, according to Deloitte. However, the rush to produce software architectures capable of handling the latest autonomous features as well as over-the-air (OTA) updates must also remember that safety and security must remain of paramount importance

One of the latest releases comes from Toyota. The world’s largest automaker recently showcased its 2026 RAV4 and announced the model will be entirely electrified for its sixth generation.

The impact of this new release is garnering significant attention, especially considering Toyota sold almost 1 million RAV4s in 2024—over 5% of global vehicles sold last year. However, a lesser-known feature in the 2026 RAV4 could prove just as revolutionary for Toyota’s future.

Toyota announced that the 2026 RAV4 will feature its all-new Arene automotive software platform. This system was developed by its software and automated driving subsidiary, Woven by Toyota. Initially, Arene will enable its updated Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 driver-assist system as well as next-generation Toyota Audio Multimedia System. While this may seem minimal to start, the automaker acknowledges that Arene is its first public step toward full SDV capabilities.

This initial release of Arene enables three key aspects of SDV functionality:

1. It unifies software design, coding, testing, and deployment—allowing developers to build applications across multiple vehicles.

2. It facilitates the testing and validation of the software in virtual environments, reducing development time and cost.

3. It more safely collects and manages data to support OTA updates of the software system.

Toyota recognizes that Arene is a critical focus area as it tries to keep up with competitors like Hyundai with its Pleos system or Chinese automakers like BYD and Xiaomi who have accelerated vehicle development timelines to half of what traditional OEMs take.

Shortening time-to-market is a key driver behind SDVs as the focus remains around software that can be produced at any time rather than time-consuming hardware development that must be finalized before production. However, not all automakers have been as successful at keeping pace and the race to be first can introduce some undesired consequences: security issues.

Cybersecurity for a Software-Defined Future

This rush towards software-driven transformation promises unprecedented levels of autonomy, connectivity, and customization, but it also introduces a new era of complex cybersecurity challenges. The importance of robust security in SDVs cannot be overstated; it is fundamental to the safety, reliability, and trust consumers place in these advanced vehicles.

While all modern vehicles generate vast amounts of data, SDVs require the highest levels of connected capabilities both internally and externally to its environment, like cellular and the cloud.

New, more powerful onboard high-performance computing facilitates this connectivity, enabling advanced features such as OTA updates, personalized customer experiences, and autonomous systems. However, every line of code, every connected service, and every communication pathway represents a potential attack point.

That is why the most critical concern for SDV connectivity is safety and security. A successful cyberattack on an SDV could have serious consequences, which could potentially lead to accidents or other scenarios endangering the occupants of the vehicle, other road users, and pedestrians.

Attackers could disable critical safety features, manipulate sensor data to cause misinterpretation, or even remotely lock or unlock doors. The potential for large-scale, simultaneous attacks on fleets of vehicles also presents a severe prospect for public safety.

Cyber attacks were up

The Upstream 2025 Global Automotive and Smart Mobility Cybersecurity Report claims that cyber attacks were up significantly in 2024, with 60% of all attacks having high or massive-scale impact and 92% of attacks executed remotely. Large scale ransomware attacks are causing significant industry disruption, like the CDK Global attack in 2024.The gap between enterprise-wide cyber resilience and the rising scale of attacks has never been more apparent.

The interconnected nature of SDVs also means that vulnerabilities in one component or system can have a domino effect across the entire ecosystem. A weakness in a third-party application or a charging station could be exploited to gain access to an entire vehicle’s network. This necessitates a comprehensive and proactive approach to automotive cybersecurity testing.

That is why automotive manufacturers now need holistic testing platforms that assess the entire supply chain, from chip manufacturers to service providers, that meet global cybersecurity standards like ISO/SAE 21434 and UNECE WP.29. Continuous monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and rapid incident responses are now essential for mitigating risks in this evolving, dynamic environment.

Cybersecurity is no longer an add-on feature for software-defined vehicles; it is a fundamental aspect that secures its very existence and functionality. The promise of SDVs, of enhanced safety, convenience, and autonomy, remains vulnerable to exploitation without robust cybersecurity measures. The future of transportation for all hinges on the industry’s ability to build not just smarter vehicles, but more secure ones as well.

We list the best site for hiring developers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Continue reading here.

Originally published by Mastercard

The Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa welcomes the World Bank as third co-chair, alongside Mastercard and the African Development Bank Group. The Alliance aims to bring complementary partners and assets together to deliver critical digital services across the African continent.

PURCHASE, New York, August 5, 2025 /3BL/ – The World Bank Group has signed on as co-chair of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, an initiative aiming to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034. The World Bank Group joins current co-chairs and founding members, the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, aligning collective efforts to deliver critical digital services across the African continent.

The MADE Alliance aligns with the World Bank Group’s efforts to accelerate digitalization by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity, and ensuring different digital services work together seamlessly to benefit users. The World Bank Group will contribute to the MADE Alliance its expertise, data driven insights, and experience supporting sustainable digital transformation.

The MADE Alliance is currently targeting opportunities in the agriculture sector, where digital technologies can serve as powerful catalysts for development. World Bank-supported “Digital Agriculture Roadmaps,” which bring together stakeholders to design tailored country action plans, will enable the MADE Alliance to impact more farmers.  

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa and connecting farmers to the digital tools they need to reach markets, access finance, and grow their businesses. Joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate both of these goals, driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the continent,” said Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank. “By bringing together our digital and agriculture expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.” 

The World Bank Group joined the MADE Alliance in late April at MADE Alliance: Africa’s Steering Committee meeting held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina co-chaired the meeting alongside Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank, and Mastercard Vice Chairman and President for Strategic Growth, Ambassador Jon Huntsman.  

“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, which has committed $300 million to the first five years of MADE Alliance’s programming. “The World Bank’s demonstrated expertise in the digital connectivity and agriculture sectors enables the MADE Alliance: Africa to reach more farmers eager to be part of Africa’s agricultural transformation.”

“The MADE Alliance brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact,” said Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass, Mastercard. “The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

Since its May 2024 launch, the MADE Alliance has made significant progress. Projects underway include:

• In Tanzania, MADE Alliance is supporting the provision of payment tools to 50,000 sunflower farmers.
• In Kenya, MADE Alliance members have deployed affordable high-speed internet as well as digital skills training for 13 farmers’ cooperatives, reaching approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities.
• In Kenya, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation is receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to build the capacity of 250,000 farmers in Kenya to improve their bankability to financial institutions.

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development also joined as a member in April 2025. Other MADE Alliance members include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, CRDB Bank and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.

Media contact

Alphonso Van Marsh, Chief Digital Content and Events Officer, African Development Bank
media@afdb.org

Kelly Alderson, Senior External Affairs Officer, World Bank Group
kalderson@worldbankgroup.org

Jessica Jeng-Mitchell, Director, Global Communications, Mastercard,
Jessica.jeng-mitchell@mastercard.com

 

About the African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.afdb.org

About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group works to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet through a combination of financing, knowledge, and expertise. It consists of the World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA); the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org, ida.worldbank.org/en/home, www.miga.org, www.ifc.org, and www.icsid.worldbank.org.

About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Originally published by Mastercard

The Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa welcomes the World Bank as third co-chair, alongside Mastercard and the African Development Bank Group. The Alliance aims to bring complementary partners and assets together to deliver critical digital services across the African continent.

PURCHASE, New York, August 5, 2025 /3BL/ – The World Bank Group has signed on as co-chair of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, an initiative aiming to provide digital access to critical services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034. The World Bank Group joins current co-chairs and founding members, the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, aligning collective efforts to deliver critical digital services across the African continent.

The MADE Alliance aligns with the World Bank Group’s efforts to accelerate digitalization by expanding access to secure, affordable, high-quality broadband and data connectivity, and ensuring different digital services work together seamlessly to benefit users. The World Bank Group will contribute to the MADE Alliance its expertise, data driven insights, and experience supporting sustainable digital transformation.

The MADE Alliance is currently targeting opportunities in the agriculture sector, where digital technologies can serve as powerful catalysts for development. World Bank-supported “Digital Agriculture Roadmaps,” which bring together stakeholders to design tailored country action plans, will enable the MADE Alliance to impact more farmers.  

“The World Bank Group is deeply committed to expanding inclusive digital access across Africa and connecting farmers to the digital tools they need to reach markets, access finance, and grow their businesses. Joining the MADE Alliance will help accelerate both of these goals, driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the continent,” said Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank. “By bringing together our digital and agriculture expertise, global knowledge, and local experience, we can help scale lasting, transformational impact.” 

The World Bank Group joined the MADE Alliance in late April at MADE Alliance: Africa’s Steering Committee meeting held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina co-chaired the meeting alongside Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital at the World Bank, and Mastercard Vice Chairman and President for Strategic Growth, Ambassador Jon Huntsman.  

“Two of the African Development Bank Group’s priority areas are to Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The MADE Alliance: Africa brings us closer to achieving those goals by connecting the continent’s smallholder farmers to digital services that lead to greater food production, greater access to markets, financing and farming practices, as well as to increased incomes,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, which has committed $300 million to the first five years of MADE Alliance’s programming. “The World Bank’s demonstrated expertise in the digital connectivity and agriculture sectors enables the MADE Alliance: Africa to reach more farmers eager to be part of Africa’s agricultural transformation.”

“The MADE Alliance brings complementary partners together to execute and implement programs that target the same regions and communities, allowing us to amplify our impact,” said Tara Nathan, Founder and Executive Vice President of Community Pass, Mastercard. “The World Bank brings enormous expertise in digital transformation and agriculture, and we are honored they have joined the alliance to deploy resources more efficiently and accelerate our work to help bring everyone into the digital economy.”

Since its May 2024 launch, the MADE Alliance has made significant progress. Projects underway include:

• In Tanzania, MADE Alliance is supporting the provision of payment tools to 50,000 sunflower farmers.
• In Kenya, MADE Alliance members have deployed affordable high-speed internet as well as digital skills training for 13 farmers’ cooperatives, reaching approximately 10,000 farmers and their communities.
• In Kenya, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation is receiving funding from the African Development Bank Group to build the capacity of 250,000 farmers in Kenya to improve their bankability to financial institutions.

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development also joined as a member in April 2025. Other MADE Alliance members include Equity Bank Group, Microsoft, Heifer International, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Unconnected.org, Yara, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation, Shell Foundation, CRDB Bank and Syngenta Foundation in Kenya and Nigeria.

Media contact

Alphonso Van Marsh, Chief Digital Content and Events Officer, African Development Bank
media@afdb.org

Kelly Alderson, Senior External Affairs Officer, World Bank Group
kalderson@worldbankgroup.org

Jessica Jeng-Mitchell, Director, Global Communications, Mastercard,
Jessica.jeng-mitchell@mastercard.com

 

About the African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.afdb.org

About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group works to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet through a combination of financing, knowledge, and expertise. It consists of the World Bank, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA); the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org, ida.worldbank.org/en/home, www.miga.org, www.ifc.org, and www.icsid.worldbank.org.

About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.