His Highness the Aga Khan has passed away in Portugal aged 88.
His successor was designated in his will, which is to be read in the presence of his family and religious leaders in Lisbon before the name is made public.
Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and believed to be the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025.
The 88 –year-old religious leader, investors and philanthropist died while surrounded by his family.
Among the ambitious projects planned for Tanzania was the construction of the Aga Khan University in Arusha, a move viewed as a catalyst for positive transformation that was to see the city expand as the intellectual, social and political hub for East Africa.
The proposed Arusha Campus project which was to be part of a planned USD 500 million expansion in East Africa by H.H the Aga Khan, aimed at enrolling Arts and Science students from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
Two graduate professional schools were to be established in the first phase; Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism and Architecture and Human Settlement.
However for some reasons the project was temporarily halted with people in the country blaming the former President of Tanzania, John Magufuli for its stalling.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
According to the AKDN the announcement of his designated successor will follow.
His successor was designated in his will, which is to be read in the presence of his family and religious leaders in Lisbon before the name is made public.
However, the date is yet to be announced.
The successor will be picked from among his male progeny or other relatives, according to the Ismaili community’s website.
Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offered their condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide.
Kenya, Tanzania and the rest of East Africa continue to honor the legacy of Prince Karim Aga Khan.
The Aga-Khan founded many education institutions in East Africa from Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary and Universities.
The Aga-Khan foundation was also behind many hospitals and health centers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as other places around the Eastern African Region.
The statement from the Aga Khan Development Network, maintains that the AKDN will continue to work with their partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as the Prince wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins.