APEFE

What APEFE does

APEFE (Association pour la Promotion de l'Education et de la Formation à l'Etranger) is a Belgian non-profit international cooperation agency (asbl) established in 1976 and integrated within the international relations framework of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Wallonia. The organization implements bilateral development programs in 8 partner countries — Belgium (domestic), Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Morocco, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal — with additional project presence in Bolivia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Haiti. Its operations span four thematic sectors: economic inclusion, social inclusion and education, health (including physiotherapy and rehabilitation), and environment and climate. Active programs include workplace learning (IGIRA KU MURIMO in Rwanda), women's entrepreneurship (Jigeen Ñi Tamit in Senegal, Min Ajliki in Morocco), teacher training (IFADEM), irrigation development (PADI in Burundi), the Great Green Wall initiative (IGMVSS in Burkina Faso), and community-based rehabilitation programs.

APEFE does not develop proprietary technology products. Its core output is program implementation: capacity-building, technical assistance, vocational training, reforestation, and institutional strengthening delivered through local field offices and partnerships with national ministries, NGOs, academic institutions, and multilateral organizations. The IFADEM initiative uses ICT-based distance learning methods, but this represents standard educational technology rather than proprietary platform development. The organization publishes program data via the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) registry as required by Belgian Royal Decree.

The business model is entirely publicly funded. APEFE generates no commercial revenue; all activities are financed through institutional development cooperation budgets from the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD), the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, AWAC (Walloon Agency for Air and Climate), the Walloon Region, Enabel (Belgian Development Agency), and the European Union. Customer segments are exclusively public sector: national governments and ministries in partner countries, bilateral and multilateral development partners, and Belgian public institutions. The organization employs 101-250 staff across its Brussels headquarters and country offices, and reports impact metrics such as 127,570 forest plants produced in the 2019 Burkina Faso reforestation campaign and approximately 200 physiotherapy graduates from ESK Benin since the early 2000s.

Name

APEFE

Legal name

APEFE asbl

Website

https://apefe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

APEFE is a Belgian non-profit international cooperation agency of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Wallonia, implementing publicly funded development programs across 8 partner countries in education, health, economic inclusion, and environment since 1976.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Cooperation Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADALAA

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

SECONDARYBPADALAM

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYEDACAIAB

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Teacher Training & Professional Development

Keywords

• International development cooperation
• Capacity building programs
• Vocational training support
• Community-based rehabilitation
• Climate adaptation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruxelles

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Development Cooperation Funding: APEFE is primarily funded through public institutional funding streams including the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD), Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, AWAC (Agence wallonne de l'Air et du Climat), and the Walloon Region. Additional funding comes from other institutional donors and international partners such as the European Union.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

APEFE (Association pour la Promotion de l'Education et de la Formation à l'Etranger) is a Belgian international cooperation agency that designs and implements development programs in partner countries. Its offerings include vocational training, women's entrepreneurship support, community-based rehabilitation, irrigation development, reforestation/desertification combat, and teacher distance-learning initiatives, delivered through bilateral partnerships with national ministries, local NGOs, and educational institutions.

Product overview

APEFE is an international cooperation agency (Association pour la Promotion de l'Education et de la Formation à l'Etranger) integrated within the international relations of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Wallonia, active since 1976 in emerging countries. Rather than a unified technology product, APEFE operates a portfolio of development programs addressing economic inclusion, social inclusion and education, health, and environment/climate. Key programs include: IGIRA KU MURIMO (workplace learning in Rwanda), Jigeen Ñi Tamit and Min Ajliki (women's entrepreneurship in Senegal and Morocco), IFADEM (distance teacher training), PADI (irrigation development in Burundi), the Great Green Wall initiative (desertification combat in Burkina Faso), and physiotherapy/rehabilitation development programs in Benin and Burundi. These are bilateral cooperation programs funded primarily by Belgian Development Cooperation, Wallonia, and the AWAC, implemented through local partnerships with governments, NGOs, and educational institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programme d'Appui au Développement de l'Irrigation dans la province de Kirundo (PADI) Agricultural development program in Burundi (2022-2026) focused on improving incomes of agricultural producers through marshland development for rice production and capacity building, implemented with MINEAGRIE Burundi.
• IGIRA KU MURIMO - Programme d'Appui à l'Apprentissage sur le Lieu de Travail Workplace learning program in Rwanda (2017-2021) supporting the government's work-based learning policy to facilitate youth access to the job market through vocational training partnerships with the private sector.
• Jigeen Ñi Tamit Women's entrepreneurship support program in Senegal, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection, focusing on processing sectors (fruits, vegetables, dairy, fisheries) and supporting female entrepreneurs in Louga and Thiès regions.
• Min Ajliki Support program for women's entrepreneurship in Morocco, funded by Belgian cooperation through Enabel, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and ANAPEC, with focus on women in difficult or precarious situations.
• IFADEM - Initiative Francophone pour la Formation à Distance des Maîtres Francophone initiative for distance training of primary school teachers, supporting countries in defining and implementing teacher continuing education strategies using ICT-based distance learning methods, in partnership with OIF and AUF.
• Programme d'Appui à la Création d'Emplois et de Revenus Durables (PACERD) Program supporting the creation of jobs and sustainable income in Haiti, providing mobile training and pedagogical support to trainers.
• Initiative de la Grande Muraille Verte pour le Sahara et le Sahel (IGMVSS) African Union flagship program to combat desertification, implemented in Burkina Faso since 2014, supporting land restoration, reforestation, and sustainable land management through village-managed forests and improved cookstoves.
• Development of Physiotherapy and Medical Rehabilitation Program supporting the development of physiotherapy and medical rehabilitation services, implemented in Burundi in partnership with COPED and the Ministry of Health, including construction of the National Reference Center for Physiotherapy and Medical Rehabilitation (CNRKR).
• Réadaptation à Base Communautaire (RBC) Community-based rehabilitation program in Benin supporting the national CBR strategy through training, technical aids, and mobility equipment for people with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 127,570 forest plants produced in 2019 reforestation campaign, exceeding 120,000 target
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• Enabel (Belgian Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnabel is the Belgian development agency and primary funding channel for APEFE programs. APEFE implements programs funded by or in partnership with Enabel, including the Junior Expert program and various bilateral cooperation initiatives.
• Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBI is the international relations body of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Wallonia. APEFE is integrated within WBI's international relations framework and operates as its overseas cooperation arm.
• ONG Tiipaalga (Burkina Faso)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiipaalga is a Burkinabè NGO specialized in reforestation and sustainable land management. It partners with APEFE on the Great Green Wall Initiative (IGMVSS), implementing reforestation campaigns and sustainable land management training in the Soum province.
• Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles et Région WallonnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPEFE is an agency fully integrated within the international relations of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and the Walloon Region, operating as the designated cooperation agency for development programs.
• COPED (ONG burundaise)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCOPED is a Burundese NGO and key local partner of APEFE, notably in the Programme d'Appui au Développement de l'Irrigation (PADI) in Kirundo province and in medical rehabilitation programs.
• Association TiipaalgacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSee ONG Tiipaalga entry. Tiipaalga developed the 'mise en défens' land restoration technique showcased at COP16 Riyadh, managing village forests sustainably on behalf of local households.
• MINEAGRIE BurundicoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinistère de l'Environnement, de l'Agriculture et de l'Élevage du Burundi is a key government partner for the PADI irrigation development program implemented by APEFE.
• UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCL has partnered with APEFE since the early 2000s on the establishment and development of the Ecole Supérieure de Kinésithérapie (ESK) in Benin, and on academic rehabilitation program development.
• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du BéninmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBenin's Chamber of Commerce benefited from the Entrepairs program to strengthen its capacity to serve members and establish contacts with Walloon firms for co-development purposes.
• ESK (Ecole Supérieure de Kinésithérapie, Benin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe only physiotherapy training institution in francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by APEFE since the early 2000s. Has trained approximately 200 graduates serving Benin, Burundi and Burkina Faso.
• Dynamo InternationalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO partnering with APEFE in the Democratic Republic of Congo on support for street children (enfants de rue), working alongside CATSR Boma.
• CATSR BomamoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCentre d'Appui aux Travailleurs Sociaux de Réinsertion in Boma, DRC, partnering with APEFE and Dynamo International for street children support programs.
• Ministère de la Femme, de la Famille, du Genre et de la Protection des Enfants (Sénégal)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry partner for the Jigeen Ñi Tamit female entrepreneurship program implemented by APEFE in Senegal.
• Via Don BoscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVia Don Bosco partnered with APEFE in Benin for gender mainstreaming training at the EFMS technical school in Parakou.
• IPELC (Institut Plurinational d'Etudes des Langues et des Cultures, Bolivie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPELC is APEFE's privileged partner for implementing community education management training in Bolivia under the intercultural and plurilingual education program.
• UNIBOL Guaraní (Bolivie)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Plurinational University of the Guaraní people in Bolivia signed a partnership with IPELC and APEFE to certify and validate training programs in intercultural education.
• Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOIF collaborates with APEFE on technical and vocational training programs in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and on the IFADEM teacher training initiative.
• AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUF partners with APEFE on the IFADEM initiative (Initiative francophone pour la formation à distance des maîtres) alongside OIF.
• MOLISA VietnammoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVietnam's Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs partnered with APEFE in the REG100 program for TVET improvement in Southeast Asia.
• MIFOTRA Rwanda (Ministère de la Fonction Publique et du Travail)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry co-implementing the IGIRA KU MURIMO workplace apprenticeship program with APEFE and the Private Sector Federation.
• PSF Rwanda (Fédération du Secteur Privé)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRwanda's Private Sector Federation co-implements the IGIRA KU MURIMO apprenticeship program alongside APEFE and MIFOTRA.
• Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing academic partner of APEFE in physiotherapy/kinésithérapie development, having helped establish ESK Benin and provided academic oversight for rehabilitation programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF): Francophone intergovernmental organization and direct APEFE partner on IFADEM and TVET programs in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia. OIF operates broader francophone-policy programming overlapping with APEFE's education and culture initiatives.
• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF): Francophone academic network and direct APEFE partner on the IFADEM teacher training initiative. AUF operates higher-education and teacher-training programs across francophone countries overlapping with APEFE's education and TVET portfolio.

Others

• Solidarités International: French humanitarian and development NGO operating water/sanitation, food security, and livelihoods programs in fragile states overlapping with APEFE's geographic footprint (Burkina Faso, DRC, Haiti, Senegal). Comparable donor-funded program model and field-office structure.

Broad incumbents

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal agency for international cooperation, implementing programs across all of APEFE's sectors (TVET, health, climate, governance) in overlapping geographies. GIZ serves as a benchmark for operational scale, technical depth, and donor engagement models that APEFE could aspire to in adjacent regions.
• Agence Française de Développement (AFD): France's bilateral development finance institution, funding and implementing development programs across francophone Africa and globally. AFD overlaps with APEFE in education, climate, and economic inclusion programming and is a logical comparator for institutional scale, donor breadth, and country portfolio.
• AECID (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo): Spanish bilateral development agency operating in francophone and hispanophone Africa, Latin America (Bolivia, where APEFE also operates), and the Mediterranean. Comparable institutional mandate with broader geographic scope and larger budget.

Direct peers

• Enabel: Belgian Development Agency and APEFE's primary funding channel and program partner. Enabel is the lead Belgian bilateral implementer executing programs across many of the same partner countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DRC, Morocco, Senegal, Rwanda, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), with a broader portfolio and larger budget — APEFE often implements Enabel-funded programs at country level.
• Expertise France: French public agency for international technical expertise, structurally analogous to APEFE as a francophone-government-affiliated implementer of bilateral cooperation projects. Comparable mandate in vocational training, governance, health systems, and climate — overlapping heavily in francophone Africa.
• Lux-Dev: Luxembourg's bilateral development agency implementing cooperation programs in partner countries including several West African states (Burkina Faso, Senegal, Niger, Mali). Closely comparable in size, mandate, and francophone-Africa focus as a small EU bilateral implementer.
• SNV Netherlands Development Organisation: Dutch development NGO with comparable scale (similar headcount band), focused on agriculture, water, and energy in Africa and Asia. Operates in several of APEFE's sectors (economic inclusion, climate, value chains) with similar donor-funded program model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apefe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about APEFE