Roshaneh Zafar is a Pakistani entrepreneur and social activist, best known for founding the Kashf Foundation, a microfinance organization that provides financial services to women in Pakistan.
Zafar was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, and completed her undergraduate studies in economics from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). She later earned a master’s degree in development economics from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
After completing her education, Zafar worked for several international development organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. In 1996, she founded the Kashf Foundation, which aimed to provide microfinance services to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
Under Zafar’s leadership, Kashf Foundation has grown into one of the largest microfinance organizations in Pakistan, with thousands of clients and branches in several cities across the country. The organization offers a wide range of financial services, including micro-loans, savings accounts, and insurance products, and has helped to empower thousands of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
Zafar’s work at Kashf Foundation has been widely recognized in Pakistan and beyond. In 2005, she was named a Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneur, and in 2006, she was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian awards in Pakistan, for her contributions to the field of microfinance.
Apart from her work at Kashf Foundation, Zafar is also involved in several other social and philanthropic initiatives in Pakistan. She has served on several government committees and advisory bodies related to poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment, and has also been involved in initiatives related to education, healthcare, and human rights.
Overall, Roshaneh Zafar’s entrepreneurial success and commitment to social causes have made her a highly respected figure in Pakistan’s business and social circles. Her work at Kashf Foundation has helped to empower thousands of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, and her advocacy for social change has made a significant impact on the country’s development landscape.
