Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersGilgit, Pakistan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
- Legal name
- Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
- Website
- https://akrsp.org.pk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Development Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Irrigation, Water & Energy Efficiency Operations Advisory (AFACAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Permitting, Environmental & Stakeholder Engagement (EIA/ESIA, Community Relations) (EUAMAAAB), Water Rights, Permitting & Compliance Services (Allocations, Reporting) (AFACAFAM)
Keywords
Where Aga Khan Rural Support Programme is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gilgit
- HQ country
- Pakistan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- International Development Grants and Donations: AKRSP operates primarily as a non-profit organisation funded through grants and donations from international development partners including Global Affairs Canada, European Union, KfW Development Bank, FCDO, and other bilateral and multilateral donors. Revenue is grant-based and programme-focused rather than commercial.
- Community Utility Revenue (Micro-Hydro): Community-owned utility companies (e.g., Silgan Electric Limited) charge subsidised electricity tariffs aligned with government rates, providing sustainable revenue for plant operations and maintenance while ensuring affordability for households.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Subsidised electricity tariff for community micro-hydro power |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Micro-grants and seed funding for entrepreneurs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AKRSP delivers community-driven rural development programmes across agriculture, education, health, climate resilience, civil society strengthening, and economic empowerment in remote regions of Pakistan. Its portfolio includes 169 community-managed micro-hydro power plants (13,844 kW combined), climate-smart agriculture interventions, women-only markets, school improvement, health and nutrition services, and entrepreneurship support programs such as START Apna Karobar.
Product overview
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) is a non-profit rural development organization established in 1982, not a technology product company. It operates a portfolio of development programs and projects addressing agriculture, climate resilience, education, health, women's empowerment, and enterprise development. The organization manages multiple donor-funded initiatives including CRASVC, CASI Scale-Up, BEST4WEER, CAPP, SCRIP, BRAVE, SIP, F4HE, RENEW, SNIP, Sehat Ka Safar, and Climate Initiatives. These programs function as development interventions rather than technology products or services. AKRSP also runs the START Apna Karobar entrepreneurship programme and the Madad Electric Cookstove initiative. The organization's approach is community-driven development focused on improving quality of life in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AKRSP: Primary operating name and brand for the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
Products and services
- Creating Resilient Agricultural Systems for Vulnerable Communities (CRASVC) A development project focused on building resilient agricultural systems for vulnerable communities, part of AKRSP's broader rural development portfolio.
- Central Asia Stunting Initiative (CASI) Scale-Up A health and nutrition initiative addressing stunting in children across Central Asia regions.
- Energy Plus A five-year initiative focused on energy for climate resilience in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, constructing micro-hydropower plants and establishing renewable energy-powered technological hubs serving approximately 350,000 planned beneficiaries including 171,500 women.
- Broadening Economic and Social Transformation for Women's Economic Empowerment and Recovery (BEST4WEER) A five-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada to improve women's social and economic empowerment during COVID-19 recovery in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, reaching 566,097 people including 494,856 women and adolescent girls.
- Central Asia Poverty Programme (CAPP) A program addressing spatial poverty and improving living conditions in remote high-altitude valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral through infrastructure development and livelihood support.
- Sindh Coastal Resilience Integrated Programme (SCRIP) A two-year initiative strengthening resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in Thatta and Sujawal districts through disaster risk management and sustainable livelihoods.
- Building Resilience and Addressing Vulnerability to Emergencies (BRAVE) A project strengthening capacity of climate-vulnerable communities in Astore, Ghizer, and Chitral to anticipate, adapt to, and absorb climate-related hazards.
- School Improvement Programme (SIP) A transformative education initiative enhancing equitable access to quality education in government and community-based schools across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, benefiting 47,717 students.
- Development of Hydropower and Renewable Energy (HRE-II - Biodiversity Component) A biodiversity conservation project strengthening sustainable livelihoods in Hunza and Nagar districts through forest cover enhancement and community-led environmental activities.
- Climate Initiatives (CLI) An initiative addressing climate change challenges through regenerative, climate-smart, and conservation agriculture practices in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.
- Foundations for Health & Empowerment (F4HE) A health and empowerment initiative with three components: Foundations for Health, Foundations for Children, and Advancing Gender Equality through Civil Society Strengthening, reaching 40,731 individuals.
- Recovery and Climate Resilience in Flood-Affected Areas of Pakistan (RENEW) A multi-sectoral initiative strengthening disaster preparedness and post-flood recovery in Pakistan's vulnerable coastal and mountainous communities.
- Strengthening Nutrition and Immunization in Pakistan (SNIP) A collaborative initiative improving routine immunization and nutrition outcomes in underserved districts through community-driven strategies.
- Sehat Ka Safar (SKS) A multi-year initiative strengthening reproductive, maternal and adolescent health services in underserved districts of Pakistan.
- Building Resilience of Civil Society and Youth to COVID-19 A four-year project strengthening civil society capacity, supporting local enterprises, and enhancing youth engagement to mitigate COVID-19 socio-economic impacts.
- START Apna Karobar Programme A flagship entrepreneurship promotion initiative providing training, pitch competitions, and microgrants (Rs250,000-350,000) to aspiring entrepreneurs, implemented under BEST4WEER; trained 3,611 individuals and awarded 578 microgrants.
- Madad Electric Cookstove (MEC) Project A five-year initiative distributing 50,000 clean, energy-efficient cookstoves powered by renewable hydroelectricity in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, in partnership with Third Pole Solutions; expected to achieve 723,200 tCO2e emission reduction over five years.
Quantifiable outcome
- 27,924 tCO2e carbon sequestered through interventions
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tech AlphalogixcorePartner for Coalition of Employers (CoE) Convention and Future of Work ecosystem development in IT and digital services sectors.
- Third Pole SolutionscorePartnership for Madad Electric Cookstove (MEC) Project to distribute 50,000 energy-efficient cookstoves powered by hydroelectricity in electricity-surplus areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Expected to achieve 723,200 tCO2e emission reduction over five years.
- Karakoram International University (KIU)coreStrategic partnership for research opportunities, student and scholar development, and socio-economic research under EU-funded Building Resilience of Civil Society and Youth initiative.
- Government of PakistancoreGovernment partnership for rural development programmes across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, including infrastructure development and policy support.
- Government of Gilgit-BaltistancoreRegional government partnership for development interventions across all districts of GB including education, health, infrastructure, and climate resilience programmes.
- Government of Khyber PakhtunkhwacorePartnership with KPK government for development programmes in Chitral districts.
- Government of SindhcorePartnership for coastal resilience and development programmes in Thatta and Sujawal districts of Sindh.
- Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)coreParent network providing institutional support, co-funding for Climate Initiatives (CLI), School Improvement Programme (SIP), and other integrated development initiatives across multiple agencies.
- Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)coreLead implementing agency for EU-funded COVID-19 resilience project and consortium partner for multiple programmes including BRAVE, Energy Plus, and SNIP.
- Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P)coreImplementing partner for RENEW project focused on flood recovery and climate resilience.
- Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH)coreConsortium partner for BRAVE and RENEW projects, contributing expertise in habitat planning and disaster risk reduction.
- Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan (AKHS)coreHealth implementation partner for RENEW, F4HE, SNIP, and Sehat Ka Safar projects.
- Aga Khan University (AKU)coreAcademic partner for health, education, and research components across multiple projects including RENEW, F4HE, SNIP, and Sehat Ka Safar.
- Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP)coreCivil society development partner for EU-funded project, providing organisational capacity building and compliance support.
- Concern WorldwidecoreLead consortium partner for BRAVE project with expertise in climate resilience and humanitarian response.
- Accelerate Prosperity (AP)coreEnterprise development partner under Energy Plus project for supporting entrepreneurship and business development in energy-surplus areas.
- Serena HotelscoreTechnical partner for hospitality management training and employer-led training partner providing employment opportunities for trained youth under CAPP and Future of Work initiatives.
- Tibet Baltistan Arts CouncilcoreArts council partner for producing locally recorded dramas and media content addressing social issues including women's rights, early marriage, and domestic violence under BEST4WEER.
- Professional Development Centre North (PDCN)minorEducation and professional development partner for RENEW project.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based rural support organisation founded on the same Aga Khan-inspired community-driven development model. SRSP is directly comparable to AKRSP's Chitral operations in KPK and operates similar micro-hydro, enterprise, and livelihoods programmes.
- National Rural Support Programme (NRSP): Pakistan's largest rural support programme operating across multiple provinces with a nearly identical community-driven development model. NRSP serves as the closest direct peer to AKRSP given the shared methodology (social mobilisation, community organisations, micro-hydro and enterprise development) and overlapping donor pool.
- Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP): Sindh-focused rural development NGO implementing community-driven interventions in Tharparkar and surrounding districts. Directly comparable as AKRSP has just expanded into Sindh (2024), making TRDP a benchmark for operating model, beneficiary mix, and climate resilience focus.
- Concern Worldwide: Lead consortium partner on AKRSP's BRAVE climate resilience programme. Concern Worldwide runs comparable rural livelihoods, climate adaptation, and emergency response programmes in similar fragile geographies, making it a strong operational peer.
Emerging players
- BRAC International: Large South Asia-based NGO pioneering community-driven approaches to poverty alleviation, microfinance, and enterprise development. BRAC's graduation approach to livelihoods is conceptually adjacent to AKRSP's enterprise and women's empowerment programming at scale.
Broad incumbents
- Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS): Sister AKDN agency providing primary health services and community health programmes across the same northern Pakistan geographies. Health implementation partner on RENEW, F4HE, SNIP, and Sehat Ka Safar projects alongside AKRSP.
- Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P): Lead implementing agency for several AKRSP programmes including EU-funded COVID-19 resilience and RENEW. Operates as both parent-adjacent and implementing peer across education, health, civil society, and rural development in AKRSP's geographies.
- UNDP Pakistan: UN agency operating extensive community resilience, climate adaptation, and livelihoods programmes across Pakistan, often in overlapping geographies with AKRSP. Serves as both potential competitor and coordination counterpart in donor consortia.
- Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH): Sister agency within the Aga Khan Development Network focused on habitat improvement, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction in the same geographies. AKAH is a consortium partner on AKRSP's BRAVE and RENEW programmes and operates overlapping rural infrastructure portfolios.
- Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF): Federal apex institution for community-driven poverty alleviation in Pakistan, funding and partnering with many of the same rural support programmes. PPAF serves as both a funder and an overarching peer body to AKRSP's rural development operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme social profiles
Digital presenceAga Khan Rural Support Programme financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aga Khan Rural Support Programme
What does Aga Khan Rural Support Programme do?
AKRSP delivers community-driven rural development programmes across agriculture, education, health, climate resilience, civil society strengthening, and economic empowerment in remote regions of Pakistan. Its portfolio includes 169 community-managed micro-hydro power plants (13,844 kW combined), climate-smart agriculture interventions, women-only markets, school improvement, health and nutrition services, and entrepreneurship support programs such as START Apna Karobar.
Is Aga Khan Rural Support Programme a public or private company?
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Aga Khan Rural Support Programme founded?
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme was founded in 1982. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Aga Khan Rural Support Programme based?
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme is headquartered in Gilgit, Pakistan, in the Asia region.
How does Aga Khan Rural Support Programme make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. International Development Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are community Utility Revenue (Micro-Hydro).
Who are Aga Khan Rural Support Programme's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP) and Concern Worldwide. BRAC International is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P), UNDP Pakistan, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).
Does Aga Khan Rural Support Programme have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
What industry is Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in?
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme's product category is Rural Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFACAJAM, Irrigation, Water & Energy Efficiency Operations Advisory, with a secondary code of EUAMAAAB, Permitting, Environmental & Stakeholder Engagement (EIA/ESIA, Community Relations). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.