Asif Saleh on BRAC as an innovative social conglomerate

In this episode of Devpolicy Talks, Robin Davies interviews Asif Saleh, the Executive Director of BRAC, one of the world’s largest and most influential non-governmental organisations. Asif reflects on BRAC’s remarkable evolution from a post-war relief organisation in Bangladesh to a global leader in tackling poverty, health, education and social innovation. Under his leadership, BRAC has identified and addressed emerging challenges such as urban poverty, youth unemployment and climate adaptation.

Asif begins by recounting BRAC’s origins in the aftermath of Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971. Initially focused on refugee rehabilitation, the organisation quickly pivoted to long-term development solutions, recognising the multidimensional nature of poverty. Over the years, BRAC has pioneered scalable models in microfinance, health care, education, and social enterprises. It has also developed a unique ecosystem that integrates livelihood programs with market connections through its social enterprises, including a dairy company and a rural artisan fashion brand.

The conversation explores Asif’s personal journey from investment banking at Goldman Sachs to development leadership at BRAC. He describes how his work with human rights advocacy among Bangladeshi diaspora communities inspired his transition to development. Since joining BRAC in 2011, Asif has leveraged his private sector expertise to drive innovation within the organisation, launching initiatives like the Social Innovation Lab and programs targeting urban poverty and youth skills development.

Asif discusses BRAC’s current priorities, which reflect the pressing challenges facing Bangladesh today. Rapid urbanisation, climate-induced migration, and underemployment among young people are at the forefront of BRAC’s agenda. He highlights how climate adaptation is intertwined with poverty alleviation, as many displaced individuals come from Bangladesh’s poorest regions. BRAC is working to develop scalable solutions that enable vulnerable populations to remain in their communities while building resilience against climate shocks.

The interview also touches on political changes in Bangladesh and their impact on BRAC’s operations. Asif explains how the organisation navigates political transitions while maintaining partnerships with governments to deliver essential services. He emphasises the importance of fostering collaboration between civil society, government, and the private sector to address systemic challenges.

A key focus of the discussion is BRAC’s globally acclaimed Graduation Model for poverty reduction. This two-year program targets ultra-poor households with asset transfers, coaching, and skill-building to help them achieve sustainable livelihoods. Asif explains how this model has been rigorously tested and adapted across diverse contexts worldwide, becoming a gold standard for addressing extreme poverty.

Looking ahead, Asif outlines BRAC’s strategic vision for addressing future challenges. The organisation aims to scale its Graduation Model globally while reimagining microfinance for a digital age and expanding initiatives in climate adaptation and youth employment. He underscores the need for innovative partnerships that leverage public and private sector strengths to tackle complex development issues.

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