About the Aga Khan Development Network

The agencies of the AKDN are private, international, non-denominational development organisations. They work to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa, without regard to faith, origin or gender. Its programmes are designed to bring a critical mass of economic, social and cultural activities to bear on a given area. Its projects encompass many of the determinants of the quality of life, including the natural and built environments in both urban and rural areas, food security, health, education, access to financial services and economic opportunity, as well as the cultural areas of traditional music, architecture and art. Some programmes, such as specific research, education and cultural programmes, span both the developed and developing worlds.

Organisational Information
The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world. It employs approximately 80,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries. The AKDN’s annual budget for non-profit development activities in 2010 was approximately US$ 625 million. The project companies of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development generated revenues of US$ 2.3 billion in 2010 (all surpluses are reinvested in further development activities). For more information, please see the Organisational Chart.

About the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network
Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM)
Aga Khan Education Services (AKES)
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS)
Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)
Aga Khan University (AKU)
Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS)
The University of Central Asia (UCA)

About the AKDN AKDN’s Approach to Development
Founded and guided by His Highness the Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) brings together a number of development agencies, institutions, and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. While each institution pursues its own mandate, all work together within the overarching framework of the Network so that their different pursuits interact and reinforce one another. More information

About His Highness the Aga Khan About His Highness the Aga Khan, Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network
His Highness the Aga Khan, the founder and chairman of the AKDN, is the 49th hereditary Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. In Islam’s ethical tradition, religious leaders not only interpret the faith but also have a responsibility to help improve the quality of life in their community and in the societies amongst which they live. For His Highness the Aga Khan, this has meant a deep engagement with development for over 50 years through the agencies of the AKDN.
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