What Aga Khan Development Network does

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a private, international, non-denominational development network founded in 1967 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, employing approximately 96,000 people across more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. It operates through a federation of specialized agencies: Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Schools (AKS), Aga Khan University (AKU), University of Central Asia (UCA), Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM), Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). AKFED operates commercial project companies including Roshan (telecommunications in Afghanistan), Serena Hotels, Pamir Energy (hydropower in Tajikistan), and First MicroFinance Bank, with all surpluses reinvested into further development activities. The network's non-profit agencies are registered in Switzerland, while AKFED is incorporated under Swiss law as the for-profit development arm.

AKDN delivers an integrated development model spanning healthcare to 14 million+ people annually through 940 hospitals and health centres, education to 844,000+ learners through 200 schools and 100+ non-formal centres plus universities, financial services to 60 million+ clients through microfinance, and cultural heritage conservation across South Asia and the Middle East. Its core technology includes a Digital Health Resource Centre for teleconsultations and digital health applications, and proprietary infrastructure such as Pamir Energy's Sebzor hydropower project — the world's first to receive Hydropower Sustainability Standard certification. Revenue mechanics are blended: regular funding from the Aga Khan for administration and core programmes, surpluses from AKFED commercial operations, partnerships with multilateral institutions (World Bank, UN agencies, Gates Foundation) and bilateral donors (USAID, FCDO, Global Affairs Canada, KfW, European Commission), and project-specific MoUs with national governments (e.g., €100 million water infrastructure in Syria, 2026). User fees and endowments from universities, hospitals, and hospitality operations provide additional funding.

The network is led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who succeeded his father as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of AKDN in February 2025. Recent strategic activity includes a major $140 million CDC Group partnership for the Africa Power Platform targeting $1 billion in regional power projects, the divestiture of AKFED's 54.08% controlling stake in Nation Media Group for Ksh3.24 billion in March 2026, new partnerships with Build Canada Homes and FinDev Canada, and construction of Kyrgyzstan's first high-technology mountain hospital. AKDN's 2026 non-profit development budget is approximately $1.3 billion.

Name

Aga Khan Development Network

Legal name

Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network

Website

https://the.akdn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Aga Khan Development Network is a private, non-denominational development organization operating health, education, microfinance, and cultural heritage programmes across 30+ countries in Asia and Africa, serving 14 million+ patients, 844,000+ learners, and 60 million+ financial services clients annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB)

Keywords

• International development services
• Humanitarian healthcare delivery
• Microfinance financial inclusion
• Cultural heritage conservation
• Education development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government and Institutional Partnerships: A significant portion of funding comes from partnerships with national governments, multilateral institutions (World Bank, UN agencies), and private sector partners. Individual AKDN agencies work closely with local, state, and national governments in each country of operation.
2. Leadership Funding (Aga Khan): His Highness the Aga Khan provides regular funding for administration, new programmes and country initiatives, and for some core activities. The project companies of AKFED operate as businesses and reinvest all surpluses into further development initiatives.
3. Commercial Operations (AKFED): The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) operates on a commercial basis through project companies including Roshan telecommunications, Serena Hotels, Pamir Energy, First MicroFinance Bank, and industrial enterprises. All surpluses are reinvested in further development initiatives, including contributions to social and cultural projects.
4. Ismaili Community Contributions: The Ismaili community contributes invaluable volunteer time, professional services, and substantial financial resources. Community contributions include fundraising through Partnership Walks and Partnership Golf tournaments held annually in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
5. User Fees and Endowments: Income from user fees (particularly at universities, hospitals, and hospitality services) and endowment funds contribute to operational sustainability.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aga Khan Development Network is a private, non-denominational development network that improves quality of life in Asia and Africa through an integrated portfolio of programs in health, education, economic development, cultural heritage, and resilient habitats. It owns and operates nine agencies delivering healthcare through 940 hospitals and health centres (14M+ patients annually), primary and higher education through 200+ schools and two universities (844,000+ learners), microfinance services (60M+ clients), commercial enterprises (Serena Hotels, Roshan telecom, Pamir Energy, First MicroFinance Bank), and cultural heritage preservation projects across 30+ countries.

Product overview

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a private, international, non-denominational development organization comprising multiple agencies working collaboratively across Asia and Africa. Rather than a single product, AKDN operates as a network of specialized development agencies: Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) provides healthcare to 14 million people annually through 940 facilities; Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and Aga Khan Schools (AKS) deliver education to over 844,000 learners; Aga Khan University (AKU) and University of Central Asia (UCA) provide higher education; Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) preserves cultural heritage; Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM) and Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) drive economic growth; and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) builds resilient communities. Sub-brands include Serena Hotels, Pamir Energy, Roshan telecommunications, and Nation Media Group. The network is coordinated to deliver integrated development interventions spanning health, education, infrastructure, finance, and culture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Serena Hotels: Hospitality and tourism brand operated by Tourism Promotion Services, a project company of AKFED, operating hotels across Africa and Asia
• Roshan
• First MicroFinance Bank
• Pamir Energy
• Aga Khan Award for Architecture
• Aga Khan Music Programme
• Aga Khan Museum
• Madrasa Early Childhood Programme

Products and services

• Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) Operates one of the largest non-profit private healthcare systems in the developing world, providing care to more than 14 million people annually through 940 hospitals and outreach healthcare centres in Asia and Africa, and trains 20,000+ healthcare professionals.
• Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Works with governments, schools, and communities on teacher training, early learning, and education system strengthening, as well as humanitarian assistance across multiple countries.
• Aga Khan Schools (AKS) Operates 200 schools, more than 100 non-formal education programme centres, and eight hostels across 12 countries in East Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East, with 110,000+ enrolled students.
• Aga Khan University (AKU) International university enrolling around 4,000 students across campuses and programmes in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom, offering degrees in nursing, education, medicine, and engineering.
• University of Central Asia (UCA) Residential undergraduate university established by international treaty with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan, operating campuses in Naryn and Khorog with a third campus in Tekeli, Kazakhstan in planning.
• Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) Honours cultural heritage through architecture, historic cities preservation, museums, music programmes, and parks and gardens initiatives in South Asia and the Middle East.
• Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM) Provides financial services and microfinance solutions to support economic development in underserved communities, with 60 million+ people provided financial services in 2025.
• Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) Economic development arm operating commercial project companies (Roshan, Serena Hotels, Pamir Energy, First MicroFinance Bank, industrial enterprises) and reinvesting all surpluses into further development activities in fragile, remote, or post-conflict regions.
• Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) Works on habitat planning and improvement, disaster preparedness and response, and building resilient communities in hazard-prone areas including work on water, sanitation, and hygiene in India and disaster risk reduction in Pakistan.
• Serena Hotels Hospitality and tourism brand operating hotels across Africa and Asia under Tourism Promotion Services (a project company of AKFED), focused on developing tourism in underserved regions.
• Pamir Energy Hydropower company providing electricity to communities in Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan, having restored micro hydropower plants and upgraded transmission infrastructure; the Sebzor project became the world's first project certified against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
• Roshan Afghanistan's leading telecommunications operator providing mobile phone services to over 6.5 million Afghans, a project company of AKFED.
• First MicroFinance Bank Microfinance banking services operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, providing financial inclusion to underserved populations.
• Aga Khan Music Programme Programme preserving and promoting Central Asian musical heritage by supporting music schools and worldwide touring programmes, including the Voices from the Roof of the World documentary series exploring climate change impacts in high-mountain Asia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 million+ people provided with healthcare annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and significant.

• Syria Ministry of EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Signed €100 million water infrastructure MoU for projects in Salamiyah and rural Hama Governorate, including transmission lines, pumping stations, and storage tanks with renewable energy integration.
• Build Canada HomesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Joint declaration between Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Prince Rahim Aga Khan V announced affordable housing investments through Build Canada Homes as part of new initiatives.
• Rostam Aziz / Taarifa LtdsignificantOthers · 17 March 2026AKFED agreed to sell its 54.08% controlling stake in Nation Media Group to Tanzanian investor Rostam Aziz for approximately Ksh3.24 billion, marking end of 66-year involvement in East African media.
• United Nations AgenciesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive partnerships with UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNEP, FAO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCHA, UNOPS, UNFPA, and UN Women for development programming.
• Government PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with governments including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and others for development programming.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BRAC: BRAC is the world's largest non-governmental development organization, operating integrated health, education, microfinance, and enterprise development programs across Asia and Africa. Its multi-sector, commercially-funded development model is the closest structural analog to AKDN's network of agencies.
• Grameen Bank: Grameen Bank pioneered microfinance for the poor in Bangladesh and now operates globally. It is directly comparable to AKDN's microfinance arm (AKAM and First MicroFinance Bank) in target customer (underserved populations), geography (South Asia), and methodology.
• CARE International: CARE International is a major humanitarian and development organization operating in over 100 countries with programs spanning health, education, economic empowerment, and emergency response. Its integrated poverty-focused development model and global footprint make it a structural peer to AKDN.
• Islamic Relief Worldwide: Islamic Relief is a faith-based international humanitarian and development organization operating in over 40 countries, with programs spanning healthcare, education, livelihoods, and emergency response. It is highly comparable as a faith-inspired development network operating in many of the same fragile regions as AKDN.
• Médecins Sans Frontières: MSF operates hospital networks and healthcare delivery in conflict-affected and developing regions worldwide. It is directly comparable to Aga Khan Health Services in operating large-scale hospital networks serving vulnerable populations in fragile states.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit working on affordable housing, disaster resilience, and habitat improvement in developing countries. It is directly comparable to the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), which focuses on habitat planning, disaster preparedness, and resilient community infrastructure.
• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps operates humanitarian and development programs in over 40 fragile and conflict-affected countries, with focus on economic opportunity, health, and food security. It is comparable in operating model and geographic focus on fragile states where AKDN concentrates its work.
• World Vision International: World Vision is a large Christian-focused international development and child-welfare organization delivering health, education, and economic programs in nearly 100 countries. Its scale, integrated program model, and donor-funded revenue base closely mirror AKDN's development footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Clinton Health Access Initiative: CHAI is a global health organization operating in more than 30 countries to strengthen health systems and expand access to treatment. It is comparable to AKDN's health-services arm in scale, focus on underserved populations, and partnership-driven delivery model.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The Gates Foundation is a global philanthropic organization with multi-billion-dollar annual giving focused on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. It is comparable as a large-scale, institutionally-funded development partner operating across many of the same geographies and sectors as AKDN, though it works primarily through grants rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/akdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/akdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/akdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/akdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aga Khan Development Network