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.

Leadership Lens: Israel Ekanem

Leadership Lens is a series of Q&As with participants, and alumni of AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. From artists to philanthropists, finance executives to medical

Walking the distance: Meet Gulzat, a nurse in the Kyrgyz Republic

At almost any hour of the day — or night — you can find Gulzat walking the roads of Jerge-Tal

Leadership Lens: Celina Caesar‑Chavannes

Leadership Lens is a series of Q&As with participants and alumni 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

A long and winding road: Accessing health care in the mountainous Kyrgyz Republic

The road from Naryn to Bishkek is long, first tracing along the winding Naryn River before weaving through vast open

Dispatch from the Fellows: A letter to myself

“You’ve just finished packing up your life into three suitcases and have moved out of your apartment in Toronto. I

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