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APA AOLLO FOUNDATION
APA Apollo Foundation: A Force for Good
The APA Apollo Foundation is the corporate social investment arm of the Apollo Group, driving its core purpose of being a “Force for Good.” Representing APA Insurance, APA Life Assurance, Apollo Asset Management, and Gordon Court Real Estate, the Foundation has invested more than USD 8 million (approx. KSh 1 billion) in programmes that improve lives and strengthen communities across Kenya.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Foundation focuses on four strategic pillars: Water, Education, Youth, and Environment. These priorities advance health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, quality education, youth empowerment, climate action, and local livelihoods. Its philosophy is simple: partner with communities to create sustainable, long-term impact rather than short-term interventions.
Good Health and Well-being
Health remains at the heart of the Foundation’s work. The APA Apollo Foundation Dental Wing at Jalaram Medical Services continues to provide dental care to several thousand patients each year, significantly improving access to essential oral healthcare for both affluent and underserved communities.
The Foundation also partners with organisations that provide holistic care and support. Through its collaboration with the Faraja Cancer Support Trust, it helps fund programmes that offer emotional, psychosocial, and practical support to cancer patients and their families.
In partnership with Sparsh Kenya, the Foundation supports initiatives that empower children and adults living with intellectual, developmental, and mental disabilities. Furthermore, its sponsorship of the Golden Moments of Dance has helped raise vital funds for education, vocational training, and life-skills programmes, promoting greater inclusion and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water has transformed thousands of lives through the Sand Dam Project. To date, the Foundation has constructed 47 sand dams in Kenya’s semi-arid regions, investing KSh 250 million and serving more than 100,000 people in surrounding communities. The most recent seven dams were built along one river and fitted with solar pumps, replacing the hand-pump model used in earlier projects. The long-term objective is to help convert the river into a permanent water source, while improving access to safe water, increasing agricultural productivity, and strengthening community resilience. Alongside tree-planting initiatives and training in improved agricultural practices, the project helps communities adapt to climate change in water-scarce regions.
Quality Education
Education is one of the Foundation’s most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. Since 2006, its long-running bursary programme has awarded four-year secondary school scholarships each year to two students from Chelata Primary School in Runda, one boy and one girl. Beneficiaries from disadvantaged communities have progressed through secondary school and, in many cases, on to university. Today, 85% of these students are either employed or pursuing further studies, reflecting the programme’s lasting impact; some graduates now work within the APA Apollo Group.
The Foundation has also invested in youth development through its long-standing partnership with the Runda Youth Sports Association (RYSA). In addition to sponsorship of its senior team in the Nairobi Football League, the foundation supports RYSA to run football programmes for boys and girls across several teams. Each year, more than 500 young people benefit from opportunities to participate in sport while gaining mentorship, leadership, and life skills that prepare them for a brighter future. The Foundation has sponsored both boys’ and girls’ teams to participate in the Gothia Cup in Sweden, and has funded RYSA community projects including a library and a café.
Climate Action
Environmental stewardship is deeply embedded in the Foundation’s work. Since launching its conservation programme, the Foundation has planted more than 600,000 trees, working with local communities and conservation partners to restore ecosystems, protect vital water catchments, and promote sustainable land management. It was recognised as the leading corporate participant in tree planting through the Total Eco-Challenge. In 2019, the Group won the European Microfinance Award for its insurance support to farmers and pastoralists, as well as its contribution to improving community access to water.
Empowering Kenya’s Creative Economy
Recognising the power of culture as an economic driver, the Foundation has partnered with Ardhi Art Gallery, a contemporary Nairobi gallery dedicated to nurturing emerging and established Kenyan artists. Beyond financial support, this partnership equips artists with practical business skills, including marketing, project management, and financial protection through insurance, enabling them to build sustainable, lifelong creative careers.
Whether constructing sand dams to address water scarcity, supporting access to education, or empowering young people through sport and the arts, the Foundation’s initiatives reflect the APA Apollo Foundation’s core values: compassion, integrity, and sustainability.
