The United States Commercial Service has announced a strategic collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to drive a massive digital transformation across Africa.

The partnership, which was unveiled on the sidelines of the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, will open the door to a series of dialogues on how U.S. digital innovation can support development goals across Africa.

Senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank, Ashley Ndir, who announced the collaboration, said further discussions would focus on key themes such as embracing new technologies, improving internet access, enhancing skills, and creating a regulatory environment conducive to innovation.

“Both parties will explore how African governments can collaborate with American technology firms to grow their economies and how U.S. businesses can tap into new opportunities in Africa’s emerging markets.

“We are at a turning point in Africa’s technological advancement. By bridging insights from the U.S. private sector with Africa’s vibrant markets, we aim to drive innovation and economic growth. This partnership is a testament to that mission”, Nadir said.

“Africa has made significant investments in pivotal infrastructure and policy enhancements to create an innovative digital economy,” Head of ICT Operations at the AfDB, Nicholas Williams, also enthused.

“As Africa’s premier development finance institution, the African Development Bank will help push Africa’s digital boundaries even further by forging strategic relations, building on historical investments and, more importantly, tapping into the energy of our young population, who are digital natives. We value the insights that the U.S. private sector may bring”, he added.

The Google’s Hustle Academy which was launched in 2022 to empower budding African entrepreneurs has graduated 5,300 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from across countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

The Google Hustle Academy, since coming on board, has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa, with more than 3,000 of the SMBs coming from Kenya, according to Google Country Director for East Africa, Agnes Gathaiya.

At the graduation ceremony on Monday in Nairobi, Gathaiya noted that the Hustle Academy programme focused on addressing the challenges faced by African SMBs and provided practical skills and resources essential for business growth.

“In the Academy, business owners undergo five days of hands-on training and receive 3,000 hours of training on fundamental aspects of business to help them navigate the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa,” she said.

“The training curriculum includes strategic growth sessions including business growth strategy, building digital marketing roadmaps, discovering and evaluating funding routes and how to pitch for success among other topics.

“This year’s cohort builds upon the foundation of the more than 5,000 SMBs who graduated last year. The graduates represent a wide range of industries, demonstrating the diverse and dynamic nature of African entrepreneurship.

“These businesses, through their participation in the Hustle Academy, have shown a remarkable capacity for innovation and resilience. The determination and growth exhibited by these SMBs are commendable,” Gathaiya added.

“The Hustle Academy program stands as a beacon of what practical training and resource provision can accomplish. Today’s graduation is not only a celebration of their hard work but also an acknowledgment of their role in enriching the African business environment.

“Through a variety of programs, products, and partnerships, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Africa are receiving substantial support, helping them navigate the challenges of the modern business world. Programs like the Hustle Academy are part of Google’s broader commitment to bolster the African business sector” she further revealed.