DP World Cares, the philanthropic arm of global ports operator DP World, and the Expo City Dubai Foundation have announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting and accelerating the growth of innovative social enterprises that address some of the world's most pressing development challenges.
The partnership builds on the success of a series of initiatives that have achieved a tangible positive impact on the lives of more than 100,000 children and young people, reinforcing opportunities for sustainable development and helping to build a more prosperous future for communities around the world.
The partnership launched with support for two pioneering projects in Africa — "Le Lionceau" in Senegal and "Smart Core" in Tanzania — selected as part of the seventh cohort of the programme in recognition of their measurable impact on education, skills development and youth empowerment, and the innovative solutions they offer to drive positive and lasting change.
In Senegal, the partnership has so far supported more than 55,000 children through the provision of children's nutritional food products manufactured by Le Lionceau, which are made using underutilised local African crops sourced from smallholder farmers across the Sahel region, thereby enhancing food security and supporting sustainable livelihoods for local farming communities.
DP World Cares carried out a humanitarian initiative that contributed to the distribution of 10,000 packages of nutrient-fortified children's flour, providing approximately 40,000 nutrient-rich meals.
The initiative targeted children in the most vulnerable communities, including children in hospitals and orphanages, affirming the commitment to supporting the most affected groups and contributing to the well-being of local communities.
In Tanzania, educational technology company Smart Core is expanding access to high-quality education through its digital platform "Kisomo", which offers innovative learning solutions that support education and broaden access to educational resources for target groups.
With support from both foundations, the platform has successfully extended its reach to more than 59,000 children to date, including enrolled students and children outside the formal education system.
Females account for 60% of total beneficiaries, reflecting the platform's role in promoting access to education and supporting the inclusive development of target groups.
The platform has seen more than 130 schools join, while 42 schools in underserved communities have been enabled to access its content offline.
Latifa Al Qamzi, Director General of DP World Cares, said these strategic partnerships highlight the pivotal role of constructive collaboration in developing innovative, scalable solutions that help address some of the world's most urgent challenges. "Through DP World Cares, we continue our commitment to supporting initiatives that create a sustained positive impact in communities, from enhancing food security to expanding access to quality education, thereby empowering individuals and supporting long-term inclusive development," she said.
Yousef Kaires, Chief Executive of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, said collaboration and innovation are fundamental pillars in driving progress and achieving lasting impact, and expressed delight at DP World Cares joining as an active partner in these efforts.