Christopher Wilton-Steer
Improving the quality of life
With nine development agencies working in concert, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) uses a multifaceted approach to improve the quality of life for the most marginalised communities in selected regions of the world, including South and Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. It implements sustainable, long-term programmes to address the many factors contributing to poverty.
1,000
programmes and institutions, some over 100 years old
30+
AKDN works in more than 30 countries
In partnership with governments, businesses and civil society organisations, the Network embeds physical and social infrastructure, health and education services, business and finance facilities, habitat and environmental planning, and cultural preservation and revitalisation within the communities it serves. Over time, people develop their own resources and capacities and, ultimately, self-reliance, notably through the creation of a vibrant and competent civil society – the cornerstone of any healthy and prosperous nation.
Pluralism – the embrace of difference – is central to AKDN's work. Guided by the belief that in an ever-shrinking, ever more diverse world, a genuine sense of pluralism is the indispensable foundation for human peace and progress, the Network aims to improve living conditions and opportunities for people regardless of their faith, race, ethnicity, or gender.
2025 highlights
- Reached 2.3 million children through early childhood development programmes
- Educated more than 844,000 learners
- Provided nearly 930,000 people with safe drinking water and sanitation services
- Delivered financial services to more than 60 million people
- By 2025, had planted more than 87 million trees with communities