April 2025
March has been another energising month, as we close the first quarter of 2025 with strong momentum.
March has been another energising month at Pharo Foundation, as we close the first quarter of 2025 with strong momentum.
It has been the holy month of Ramadan, and I want to thank our Muslim colleagues for their dedication and resilience as they continued to deliver impact while fasting. Across our countries the pace has not let up: in Somaliland, Ready-Mix Concrete and equipment-leasing sales remained strong; in Ethiopia, despite the early rains, final works progressed on our edible oil plant; and at Pharo Schools students took part in the Hour of Code, inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers.
March was also a big month internally. We hosted our first Town Hall of the year, with contributions from Ventures, Finance, Operations and the CEO’s office, and the Trustee Meeting wrapped up the quarter with clear, energising guidance on our strategy. As Q2 begins, we build from a solid base, with clear goals, stronger systems and greater unity across our countries and functions.
Onwards, Thomas Mason, CEO, Pharo Foundation
AI-powered Camel Cams in Somaliland
Pharo Foundation’s Camel Cam uses computer vision and AI to track water usage at our hafir dams in real time, building a verifiable, auditable database that ensures resources reach the people who need them most.
Watch on YouTube →The developmental state: from East Asia to Africa
By Francesca Beausang on LSE Blogs. Following an Afri-CAN episode with LSE’s Professor James Putzel and Pharo Ventures Ethiopia CEO Bethel Tsegaye, a reflection on what Africa can learn from East Asia’s development experience.
Listen on Spotify →International Women’s Day and World Water Day
We marked IWD with pieces on advancing gender equality in education and gender-smart investing, and World Water Day with a celebration of our water infrastructure and a special Afri-CAN episode with guests from Oxfam.
Read on LinkedIn →