Social Protection Education
Providing high-quality training in social protection for institutions and businesses in the MENA region and East Africa.
About Us
The Muhanna Foundation, created in 1994, is a non-profit organization established in Switzerland and based in Beirut, Lebanon. We are dedicated to continuing education for professionals working in municipalities, social security, pensions, insurance, and supervision, particularly in the Arab World and East Africa and in countries where actuarial expertise is still developing.
Who we are
1994
Established in Switzerland.
A continuing commitment to education.
Building expertise.
Expanding opportunity.
Our work began with actuarial education and a conviction that institutions become stronger when specialist knowledge is accessible locally.
Today, we organize conferences, seminars, and training across insurance, investment, governance, and related fields. Our three diploma programs cover Municipal Administration and Finance, Social Insurance, and Actuarial Techniques.
Our mission
Education with institutional purpose.
We are dedicated to the development, funding, and execution of municipal, social insurance, and actuarial education. We contribute to civil, academic, and business communities through independent research and continuing education programs for professionals.
Municipal Education
Municipal education programs for mayors, council members, and employees, supporting the Foundation’s role in societal and national development.
Actuarial Education
Specialized training in actuarial science, insurance, IFRS 17, and financial accounting—a regional source of technical and professional development.
Customized Programs
For more than three decades, we have delivered on-the-job training and customized programs, alongside research for the public good.
Access to education
Awards & scholarships.
We support students completing actuarial education through awards and scholarships in actuarial science and mathematics.
Bahrain · Jordan · Lebanon · Oman · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Sudan · Syria · Tanzania · Yemen
Professional qualifications
An official examination centre.
The Foundation operates as an official examination centre for actuarial students sitting professional examinations of the Society of Actuaries (United States actuarial system) and the Institute of Actuaries (United Kingdom actuarial system).
Our history & legacy of firsts
Our history.
A legacy of firsts.
From pioneering actuarial education to social protection and municipal development: explore the people, programs, and exchanges that shaped our journey.
The Muhanna Foundation began by advancing actuarial education across the MENA region and East Africa. Over time, our expertise expanded into social protection and municipal education, combining technical excellence with innovation in capacity building and research.
Our photo album · Select any photograph to view it in full.
1994
Established in Switzerland to advance actuarial education and build local capacity.
1990s
Expanded regional access to SOA and IFoA professional examinations.
Early 2000s
Introduced a pioneering regional Social Insurance Diploma.
2013
Launched Lebanon’s first Municipal Administration & Finance Diploma with LAU.
2016
Became an accredited centre within the ISSA Training Consortium.
From our impact report
A legacy of firsts.
Milestones in education, professional opportunity, and institutional development.
The Arab World’s first actuarial diploma
Established one of the region’s first structured actuarial education pathways, helping build the actuarial profession across the Arab World.
Recognizing excellence in mathematics
Since the 1990s, the Muhanna Foundation Mathematics Award of Excellence has recognized top students at the American University of Beirut and the University of Jordan.
Regional SOA & IFoA examination centre
Expanded regional access to internationally recognized professional actuarial qualifications through SOA and IFoA examinations.
Saudi Arabia’s first insurance job fair
Organized Saudi Arabia’s first Insurance Job Fair to support Saudization and build the capacity of Saudi nationals for careers in insurance.
The region’s first Social Insurance Diploma
Introduced one of the earliest professional diplomas dedicated to social insurance and social protection.
Lebanon’s first Municipal Administration & Finance Diploma
Developed with the Lebanese American University, the program has equipped more than 600 municipal professionals, as reported in the impact report.
Pioneering social security education
Accredited within the ISSA Training Consortium in 2016, delivering professional programs on ISSA Guidelines in Arabic.
Strengthening institutions
Delivered capacity building through partnerships with the World Bank, UN-Habitat, and the Africa Social Security Association.
Research and thought leadership
Published research on social security, municipal governance, healthcare financing, and other social and economic issues.
Collaboration & technical expertise
Trusted to turn expertise into action.
The Foundation has a long track record of providing services to UN-Habitat, the World Bank, private-sector institutions, academic institutions, and other UN organizations. We combine innovation and creativity with an experienced team capable of delivering large technical collaboration projects.
Our collaborations with ISSA and leading professional, academic, and development organizations support impactful capacity building and research. We also produce rigorous studies that inform and inspire policy dialogue across social and economic domains.
UN-HabitatWorld BankISSALAUASSAIAA
Meet the Foundation
The people and partnerships behind our work.