What We Do

Nearly half of the world’s population — more than 3.5 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty (less than USD $1.90 a day), the majority of whom are in Africa and Asia.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada tackles the root causes of this poverty through a holistic and interconnected set of programs. These initiatives address people’s most pressing needs and enable them to unlock their full potential, with a particular focus on marginalized groups like women and girls.

Our programs aim to ensure access to high-quality education and health care, ensure food security, improve economic well-being, and develop resilient communities and societies. We bring together human, financial, and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.

A youth leadership camp changed his life. Now Ziyaan Virji is opening doors for others.

The young entrepreneur gets real about finding his passion, dealing with burnout, and making his teenage self proud. By Caro

Meet two women in Tanzania redefining leadership in their communities

Along a dusty road and under the blazing sun, Coletha walks door to door, visiting homes around Nanyati, a village

“You can, we can”: How the Olu Alu campaign continues to transform youth and communities in northern Uganda

This article was written by Joy Stalteri-Roberts, an AKFC International Youth Fellow who is currently working in Uganda. Based on

Dispatch from the Fellows: From Partnerships to Playrooms — What Impact Really Looks Like

Kayla Mudaliar is currently working as a Partnership Fellow as part of AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship. Read her Dispatch from

Dispatch from the Fellows: Learnings Lead by Curiosity

Hannah Lou is an International Youth Fellow, currently placed in Uganda. As part of her Fellowship, she travelled to northern Uganda

With flying colours: How one Tanzanian teacher is transforming her classroom

Vibrant. Playful. Creative. Colourful. These are the words that come to mind when you first step into Teacher Sauda’s classroom.

Leadership Lens: Tracey Evans

Leadership Lens is a series of Q&As with participants from AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. From artists to philanthropists, finance executives to medical doctors, AKFC’s Global Leaders are all dedicated to strengthening Canada’s role in

Reshaping tradition: Meet the community leaders in Tanzania who are breaking cycles of harm

In many rural Tanzanian communities, deeply rooted gender norms continue to limit women’s economic and social agency. But in Mtwara,

Two years later: A Canadian’s cross-continental reflections

Muhammad is a development professional from Alberta, who participated in AKFC’s Canadian Development Exchange. In a conversation with AKFC, he