A Vision for Change: How Muhammad Idris Revolutionized Aid Delivery
A Vision for Change: How Muhammad Idris Revolutionized Aid Delivery
July 4, 2024 | Nawar Maarri
Muhammad Idris, a Syrian entrepreneur with a background in economics and business administration, embarked on a journey that blended innovation with social impact. Born in Idlib, Syria, Muhammad operated a factory manufacturing electrical tools in Damascus and Idlib. However, in 2012, due to the escalating conflict, he moved to Türkiye.
After six years as a financial and regional director at the International Medical Corps in Türkiye, Muhammad felt compelled to channel his expertise and vision into something transformative. In 2017, he founded Idea Expert in Hatay Antakya, a venture born from his desire to revolutionize how aid reaches those in need in Syria.
“At Idea Expert, we harness technology to drive positive change,” Muhammad explains. “Our goal is to create a seamless system connecting NGOs directly to those in need, ensuring efficient aid delivery. This innovative approach offers a more personalized and dignified experience for beneficiaries, contrasting sharply with traditional aid methods like food or NFI baskets.”
Muhammad first connected with Building Markets in Antakya and joined our network, receiving mentorship sessions. These sessions helped him refine and develop the Sanad Investment application. This app revolutionizes financial services in Syria by offering account creation and secure money transfers. With offices in Kilis and Azaz, it has gained 15,000 subscribers in six months.
Muhammad explains, “Sanad Investment empowers users to shift from traditional cash transactions to secure online banking, particularly in regions grappling with economic challenges.”
With Building Markets’ support, Muhammad is now integrating a microloan system within the Sanad Investment application to support small projects in northern Syria and Türkiye. This initiative aims to foster economic growth and provide essential financial services to underserved communities.
In addition, Muhammad highlights the benefits of using Building Markets’ tender directory to learn about and apply for available tenders, further expanding their reach and impact. “Building Markets has been instrumental in our growth,” Muhammad adds. “Their support through mentorship sessions and access to their tender directory has significantly enhanced our capabilities. With Building Markets’ guidance, we improved our business development processes and won bids worth over $2 million from international NGOs.”
Muhammad’s office in Antakya was employing six individuals, many of whom were young university students. Tragically, the earthquake that struck Antakya devastated his office and took the lives of some team members, while others were forced to leave Türkiye. This left Muhammad with the daunting task of rebuilding his team from scratch.
He relocated to Kilis and set up a new office, where he currently operates with a fresh team of 7 employees in Türkiye and Syria and 40 part-time workers. Despite these challenges, Muhammad remains committed to providing job opportunities and fostering a supportive work environment. Over the years, Idea Expert’s impact has been profound. “We’ve reached over 80,000 beneficiaries and worked on projects worth more than $10 million,” Muhammad proudly states.
Our work in Türkiye is made possible through a generous gift of the United States.
