Mohamed Essawy

Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, is a private, not-for-profit, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. AKF brings together human, financial and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalised communities in the world. With an emphasis on women and girls, AKF invests in human potential, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life. AKF leads a range of integrated, innovative and gender sensitive interventions in agriculture and food security; civil society; climate resilience; early childhood development; education; health and nutrition; and work and enterprise. Interventions are informed by evidence, data, local knowledge and extensive networks of community-led institutions. Its activities are coordinated not only with those of other AKDN agencies but also with local, national and international partners in order to bring to bear a full package of multiple activities that can spark a long-term process of positive change. ​​​​​​​In addition, AKF often plays a convening, partnership development, policy dialogue and resource mobilisation role for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its agencies.