BRAC International

What BRAC International does

BRAC International is the global non-profit arm of BRAC, registered as Stichting BRAC International in The Hague, Netherlands, and founded in 1972 in post-war Bangladesh. The organisation operates an integrated portfolio of six programme areas: Social Development (climate adaptation, ECD, health, gender equality, youth empowerment, humanitarian response), Financial Inclusion through seven regulated microfinance subsidiaries across Africa and Asia, Social Enterprises in Uganda and Tanzania, the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI) delivering the evidence-based Graduation methodology, the Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM) programme, and BRAC University. Its core intellectual asset is the Graduation approach — a sequenced combination of asset transfer, consumption support, savings facilitation, health linkage, and intensive coaching — validated by nearly 30 randomised controlled trials and codified into scalable frameworks such as the Graduation Essentials (ABCs) and Practical Pathways to Coaching.

BRAC International does not sell commercial products or software; programmes are delivered free or at subsidised rates to beneficiaries. Revenue is generated through four streams: microfinance interest income (with $6 billion in microloans disbursed in 2024, primarily to women), grants from institutional donors (Mastercard Foundation, LEGO Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation), social enterprise revenue, and government contracts under technical-assistance MoUs. The organisation reaches beneficiaries through three go-to-market motions: direct-to-beneficiary delivery via its own field staff and 5,500+ trained mentors across 2,800+ youth clubs; government-embedded delivery where it partners with national social protection systems (India's DAY-NRLM, Chhattisgarh Bihan, Bihar, Rwanda, Philippines DOLE) to scale the Graduation approach; and remote delivery via Radio Play Labs.

The organisation serves ultra-poor households, women, adolescent girls and youth, smallholder farmers, and governments across 15+ countries in Asia and Africa (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Myanmar, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda). To date, BRAC has reached 145 million people globally, graduated 15 million+ children from its schools, and supports a network of 259,000 Self-Help Groups in Chhattisgarh alone.

Name

BRAC International

Legal name

Stichting BRAC International

Website

https://bracinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BRAC International is a Netherlands-registered non-profit development organisation operating across 15+ countries in Asia and Africa, delivering poverty alleviation programmes through its Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative, microfinance subsidiaries, youth empowerment, ECD, and government-embedded social protection partnerships serving ultra-poor households, women, and youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development and Poverty Alleviation

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Community Food Services (624210), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)

Keywords

• Poverty alleviation programs
• Microfinance services
• Youth empowerment
• Early childhood development
• Social development programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Microfinance (Interest Income): BRAC's microfinance operations in multiple African countries (Uganda Bank Limited, Tanzania Finance Limited, Rwanda Microfinance Company PLC, Ghana Savings and Loans Limited, Myanmar Microfinance Company Limited, Liberia Microfinance Company Limited, Sierra Leone Microfinance Limited) provide loans primarily to women and generate interest income. In 2024, $6 billion was disbursed in microloans. Microfinance is described as 'at the heart of BRAC's holistic approach to development.'
2. Donations and Grants: As a non-profit organisation (Stichting BRAC International registered in the Netherlands), BRAC relies heavily on donations, institutional grants, and philanthropic funding from foundations such as Mastercard Foundation, LEGO Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and bilateral/multilateral donors to fund its social development programmes.
3. Social Enterprise Revenue: BRAC's social enterprises (BRAC Social Business Enterprises Uganda Limited, BRAC Enterprises Tanzania Limited) meet client needs while generating income to partially support BRAC's programmes. These enterprises are self-sustaining commercial operations.
4. Government Partnerships and Contracts: BRAC signs MoUs with governments (Rwanda, India/Bihar/Chhattisgarh, Philippines/DOLE) to support implementation of the Graduation approach within national social protection systems. These partnerships may involve government co-funding or resource contribution.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BRAC International is a non-profit development organization that delivers integrated poverty alleviation programmes across 15+ countries in Asia and Africa. Its core offerings include the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI) — an evidence-based Graduation approach providing asset transfers, consumption support, savings, health services and life-skills coaching to lift ultra-poor households out of extreme poverty; microfinance services operated through regulated subsidiaries in seven African countries; the Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM) youth empowerment programme; social enterprises in Uganda and Tanzania; and community-based social development programmes covering education, health, climate adaptation, gender equality and humanitarian response.

Product overview

BRAC International is a Global South-led development organization offering an integrated ecosystem of poverty alleviation programs rather than a unified commercial product. The portfolio comprises six interconnected program areas: Social Development (including climate, youth, agriculture, education, gender, health, and humanitarian programs), Financial Inclusion through microfinance operations across Africa, Social Enterprise subsidiaries, the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI) with its evidence-based Graduation approach, the Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM) program, and BRAC University. These programs operate through regional subsidiaries including microfinance institutions in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, all unified by BRAC's holistic, entrepreneurial approach to human development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIM (Accelerating Impact for Young Women): Youth empowerment program focusing on young women across Africa
• Graduation Approach
• UPGI (Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative)

Products and services

• Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI)
• Accelerating Impact for Young Women (AIM)
• Microfinance Operations
• Social Development Programmes
• Social Enterprises
• BRAC University
• BRAC Uganda Bank Limited
• BRAC Tanzania Finance Limited
• BRAC Rwanda Microfinance Company PLC
• BRAC Ghana Savings and Loans Limited
• BRAC Myanmar Microfinance Company Limited
• BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Limited
• BRAC Microfinance Sierra Leone Limited
• BRAC Social Business Enterprises Uganda Limited
• BRAC Enterprises Tanzania Limited

Quantifiable outcome

• 145 million people globally have accessed BRAC's programmes (education, healthcare, economic development)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2025IPA and Gates Foundation collaborated with BRAC on a webinar advancing the Ultra-Poor Graduation approach. BRAC's Gregory Chen (Managing Director, UPGI) served as a panelist alongside academics from LSE, Boston University, Village Enterprise, and Raising the Village to discuss evidence gaps and scaling innovations.
• IWWAGE (Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025IWWAGE co-convened the Annual Partners' Meet in New Delhi (May 2025) with BRAC, providing technical support on gender and social inclusion within the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme. Led by Executive Director Radha Chellappa.
• PRADANcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025PRADAN is a core implementation partner for the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme / CG-SAY, providing research and technical support. BRAC acknowledges PRADAN's critical role in bringing the programme to life in Chhattisgarh.
• Indian Grameen Services (IGS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025Indian Grameen Services was a core partner represented at the Annual Partners' Meet in New Delhi, contributing to the roll-out of the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme across Indian states.
• Aga Khan FoundationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025Aga Khan Foundation was a core partner represented at the Annual Partners' Meet, contributing decades of experience in livelihoods and women's empowerment across South Asia.
• J-PAL South AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025J-PAL South Asia provides research and technical partner support for the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme, contributing evidence-based strategies, monitoring and evaluation systems, and thematic innovations.
• Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025CRISP is a research and technical partner institution contributing to the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme, focusing on monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
• IMAGO Global GrassrootssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025IMAGO Global Grassroots is a research and technical partner contributing to the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme, focusing on capacity building and thematic innovations.
• Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), BangaloresupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 May 2025ISEC Bangalore is a research and technical partner contributing to the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme with academic expertise in social and economic change.
• African Development Bank GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025AfDB co-organised the BRAC Regional Dialogue on Applying Evidence to Achieve Long-Term Development and Inclusive Growth Across Africa, bringing together government, multilateral institutions, civil society, and academia.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025UNDP co-organised the BRAC Regional Dialogues series alongside BRAC, BRAC Institute for Governance and Development (BIGD), African Development Bank, WACSI, and others to promote dialogue on effective poverty eradication.
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) — PhilippinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025DOLE Philippines drives coordinated poverty alleviation through the Graduation Approach Project in partnership with BRAC Philippines. DOLE has recognised BRAC Philippines with a Plaque of Recognition.
• Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Bihan), Government of ChhattisgarhcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025MoU signed for implementation of CG-SAY (Chhattisgarh-Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana), a Graduation-inspired livelihoods programme targeting the most vulnerable citizens including PVTGs, women-headed families, and persons with disabilities in Kabirdham and Jashpur districts. BRAC provides technical expertise while Bihan operates through its network of 259,000 SHGs and 2.93 million households.
• Trickle UpcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 April 2025Trickle Up is the implementation partner for CG-SAY (Chhattisgarh-Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana). Trickle Up also co-designed the coaching framework for the programme and brings experience from Graduation implementations globally.
• CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2025CGAP published research and blog content on BRAC's Accelerating Impact (AIM) programme and young women's financial inclusion, highlighting the importance of donors supporting services the market won't provide for hard-to-reach young women.
• UNFPAsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2025BRAC partnered with UNFPA as a member of the Equity 2030 Alliance, contributing to women-centric innovations for equitable development.
• National Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (NRLPS) / DAY-NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2024MoU signed for inclusion of the poorest of the poor women under DAY-NRLM. BRAC provides technical support for the Inclusive Livelihoods / Samaveshi Aajeevika programme, which has mobilised over 100 million women into Self-Help Groups. BRAC anchors coordination and programmatic support across five states.
• United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2023BRAC International joined the Strategic Advisory Group of the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund, contributing expertise on poverty eradication and inclusive growth to the global SDG agenda.
• Government of Bihar (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2023MoU signed for India's first government-led Urban Graduation Programme. BRAC provides technical expertise on Graduation programme design and implementation within Bihar's urban poverty alleviation framework.
• Government of RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2023MoU signed to empower people to escape extreme poverty through the Graduation approach. BRAC works with the Government of Rwanda to scale government-led Graduation programmes. Nyamagabe District later signed its own MoU (June 2025) to launch a district-led Graduation programme.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• CARE International: Major international development NGO operating poverty, women's empowerment, and humanitarian programmes globally. Comparable to BRAC on women's economic empowerment, multi-country delivery, and integrated programming — though with a broader humanitarian emphasis.
• Mercy Corps: Large US-headquartered international development NGO operating in 40+ countries with programmes in livelihoods, financial inclusion, youth, and humanitarian response. Overlaps with BRAC on multi-sector integrated development model and Africa/Asia footprint, though broader portfolio and more humanitarian focus.
• Save the Children: Major international NGO focused on children's rights, education, and poverty alleviation across 100+ countries. Comparable to BRAC on education/ECD programming (BRAC schools), multi-country scale, and government partnership model, though with a narrower child-focused mandate.
• Oxfam International: Large confederation of international development NGOs focused on poverty, inequality, and humanitarian response across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable to BRAC on scale, global footprint, and integrated development approach, though more advocacy-driven.

Direct peers

• Grameen Bank: Pioneer of microfinance lending to ultra-poor women in Bangladesh and globally; the conceptual foundation for BRAC's microfinance subsidiaries. Most directly comparable in the microfinance/financial-inclusion-for-the-poor space and a long-standing reference point for BRAC's lending methodology.
• FINCA International: Operates a network of regulated microfinance banks across Africa and Latin America serving low-income entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to BRAC's 7 regulated MFI subsidiaries in target customer (women micro-entrepreneurs), product (small-ticket loans), and operating geographies.
• Trickle Up: Specialist NGO co-creator of the Graduation approach alongside BRAC; works with governments and local NGOs in India, Africa, and Latin America. Already a documented implementation partner on BRAC's CG-SAY programme and the closest methodological peer in Graduation delivery.
• Opportunity International: Global network of regulated microfinance institutions serving under-banked populations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable to BRAC International on regulated entity model, women-focused lending, and multi-country operating footprint.
• BRAC Bangladesh: The parent/legacy entity from which BRAC International was spun off; operates the same Graduation approach, microfinance, education, and health programmes at much larger scale within Bangladesh. Most directly comparable as the originating developer of BRAC's methodologies.

Emerging players

• Village Enterprise: Africa-focused poverty graduation organisation operating in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda using the Graduation methodology. Most directly comparable specialist peer to BRAC UPGI on Graduation delivery in the same African geographies; smaller scale but methodologically aligned.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brac-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about BRAC International