African Health, Education, and Development (AHEAD)
Founded in late 2020, AHEAD is a USA based 501(c)3 organization committed to making healthcare, education, and economic empowerment accessible to as many Africans as possible.
While the initial work will focus on Niger Republic due to its lowest literacy rates, poorest health system and lowest Human development Index, in the world; the vision of AHEAD is to expand to whole of Africa.
To achieve that, AHEAD will work with both public and private sectors as well as individuals in the USA in providing material support and with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local communities throughout Africa for its projects implementation.
AHEAD is a U.S. Tax-exempt non-profit charity incorporated in late 2020 (Federal Tax ID# 85-2535258)
Why Niger?
Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world as its educational system faces challenges due to poverty and limited access to schools. According to UNICEF, over 50% of children aged 7-16 are not in school. Geographic gaps in school coverage and poor retention rates remain unaddressed, quality has worsened, and inequities have deepened, with the poorest and rural children least likely to attend school. AHEAD aims to contribute to universal access to education for all children in Niger in particular and Africa in general.
Although Niger’s Human Development Index has increased from 0.220 in 1990 to 0.394 in 2019, it still remains the country with the lowest human development index, positioning it at 189 out of 189 countries and territories.
EXPANSION BEYOND NIGER
AHEAD has since expanded its operations beyond Niger. In 2022, AHEAD supported orphan education efforts in Benin. The following year, AHEAD collaborated with AHEAD East on education and health initiatives in Somalia. Towards the end of 2023, AHEAD expanded health operations into Sierra Leone. In 2024, AHEAD plans to collaborate with local partners in Ghana.