Tanzania - Early Childhood Development
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has been making significant contributions to the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector in Tanzania for three decades. AKF has pioneered the provision of high quality, culturally-relevant and holistic early childhood development amongst communities in Zanzibar and Southern Tanzania. (Photo: Mejengo Preschool in Ndanda, Mtwara Region)
AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has been making significant contributions to the Early Childhood Development …
AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura
Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme in Tanzania.
AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura
Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme in Tanzania.
AKDN / Lucas Cuervo Moura
The Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania operates a nursery school with a holistic curriculum.
AKS
The Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania operates a nursery school with a holistic curriculum.
AKS
Tanzania | Early Childhood Development
Children’s experiences in their first few years are instrumental in preparing them for life. AKDN institutions have been working in early childhood development (ECD) in Tanzania for over 30 years. Nestled in communities of Zanzibar and southern Tanzania, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has pioneered high-quality, culturally relevant and holistic early childhood development programmes. The Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), Tanzania offers pre-primary education to give young learners access to an internationally benchmarked curriculum.
14,000
In 2025, AKF's ECD programme supported around 14,000 children in Tanzania
AKDN focuses on transforming the quality of life of young children and their families; building strong institutions, leaders and professionals; and contributing to networks, research and policy.
Through the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme, AKF supports about 80 community-based preschools in Zanzibar, which benefit over 10,000 children, 50 percent of them girls. In total, a million children in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have attended the programme over the last 40 years.
AKF provides professional opportunities to strengthen early childhood education, in partnership with government ECD colleges. AKF helps teachers attain government standards and obtain Ministry of Education accreditation for employment in both public and private pre-primary schools. In 2025, AKF reached nearly 600 pre-school teachers and trained more than 100, almost 60 percent of them women. In total, over 10,000 teachers have been trained.
AKF also enhances the capacity of ECD officers and policymakers and provides technical advisory services to partners and institutions, both key components of the programme. Through the programme, AKF influences policy and practice by advocating for change and sharing valuable learning and experiences.
AKF raises awareness among parents and caregivers about the importance of ECD and fosters community demand for quality services, both essential priorities. In 2025, AKF reached more than 13,000 parents and caregivers in Lindi and Dar es Salaam, and more than 10,000 village leaders and other community members. In Zanzibar, AKF's capacity-building initiatives target teachers, civil society groups, and district and national-level personnel, with a focus on improving services for children with disabilities through community-based inclusive education modules.
In 2025, AKF reached nearly 200 ECD centres and community spaces in Tanzania: 120 public and nearly 80 community-based.