Strategic Investments for Economic Growth and Societal Impact

THE BEGINNING: The Inspiration Behind AKiRFA

Building Bridges Between Potential and Opportunity
The journey of AKiRFA began with its founder, Roland Sandström – a visionary social entrepreneur and behavioral scientist from Sweden, with roots in the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Roland witnessed the vast disparities in opportunities between underprivileged and more affluent communities. He saw children without access to quality education, women struggling to find economic opportunities, and talented individuals lacking platforms to build their skills and showcase their abilities.

These observations and experiences, deeply personal and including those within his own family and extended family, ignited a passion in him to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. He recognized that while talent is universal, access to relevant resources and support is not.

This realization sparked a critical question within him:

“How many individuals, despite having the resources and ambition, have been unable to reach their full potential due to a lack of relevant resources and support?”

This applies to high-achieving students striving for academic excellence, professionals aiming to advance their careers, and even successful individuals seeking to optimize their well-being.

Driven by this insight, Roland founded AKiRFA Investment & Impact Group. AKiRFA’s success is not only measured by economic returns but also by the positive impact it makes in the lives of individuals and communities. For us, each individual’s journey is unique, and we believe that tailored support and resources are crucial for unlocking one’s full potential.

Our Philosophy and Vision for the Future: Unleashing Untapped Potential
Founded in 2024 with members from both Scandinavia and West Africa, AKiRFA Investment & Impact Group is focused on merging economic profitability with social impact. With a combined three decades of experience in capacity building related to entrepreneurship, wellness, education, and leadership, we transform challenges into opportunities, strengthen individuals’ abilities, and create conditions for sustainable development.

Our goal is to support West Africa’s rapid social and economic transformation by providing the guidance and resources needed to foster sustainable growth and well-being. Through this, we are committed to continuously unleashing untapped potential, empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

Target Groups and Services: Who We Support
At AKiRFA, we provide tailored resources and guidance to empower a diverse range of individuals and organizations:

• Students and Parents: Supporting academic excellence and a strong foundation for the future.
• Professionals and Businesses: Enhancing performance and achieving career or business goals through coaching and training.
• NGOs and Large Organizations: Partnering to achieve goals in women’s rights, leadership development, mental health, and more.

In addition, we offer wellness and performance services to wealthy individuals through our specialized AKiRFA Wellness program, focusing on personal health, fitness, nutritional guidance, and well-being. Our approach includes preventive strategies for lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A portion of the proceeds from these services supports our social impact initiatives in West Africa.

Whether we are empowering students, professionals, organizations, or individuals seeking personal wellness, we are committed to providing the support needed to make a lasting difference—both in their lives and in the communities we serve.

Key Initiatives: A Commitment to Change
One of our key initiatives, in collaboration with ADESAB, focuses on empowering young women in Burkina Faso through vocational training and entrepreneurship education. By equipping these women with the skills and knowledge needed to improve their livelihoods, we are actively creating pathways for sustainable success. As part of this project, we are launching the production of reusable cloth menstrual pads, a vital step toward promoting both economic empowerment and menstrual health.

This initiative not only provides women with practical tools for generating income but also addresses important issues of health and sustainability. It is through such efforts that AKiRFA continues to unleash untapped potential, fostering lasting positive change in the communities we serve.