On Monday, 8 June 2026, World Oceans Day, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Overseas Territories, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Ismaili Imamat signed a memorandum of understanding launching a new partnership for Mayotte. This is the Aga Khan Foundation’s first partnership in a French territory. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou, and AFD Chief Executive Officer Christophe Lecourtier. It marks a new phase in the partnership between AFD and the Aga Khan Foundation at a time when Mayotte faces major environmental, economic, and social challenges, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which caused widespread devastation in late 2024. “For the first time, building on 35 years of partnership in Africa and Asia, the Aga Khan Development Network and AFD are joining forces in a French department, Mayotte. In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Chido, we are committed to working together to support the most vulnerable territories, combine our expertise and resources, and contribute to the development of the archipelago, the well-being of its people, and the protection of its lagoon,” said Christophe Lecourtier, Chief Executive Officer of AFD.