The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA), based at The American University in Cairo (AUC), this week celebrated its fifth anniversary with a high-profile event that highlighted the organisation’s transformative role in advancing evidence-based policymaking across the region.
Held at AUC’s Malak Gabr Theater, the event brought together leading researchers, government officials, development partners, and donors. A keynote address by Nobel Laureate and J-PAL co-founder Professor Abhijit Banerjee underscored the importance of data-driven interventions to solve poverty and social challenges. Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al Mashat, also delivered opening remarks.
Since its establishment in 2020, J-PAL MENA has built a strong track record of generating rigorous research and using data to improve policy outcomes. Hosted at AUC’s Onsi Sawiris School of Business, the lab is part of J-PAL’s global network headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its work spans seven countries and covers over 60 ongoing and completed evaluations across eight policy sectors.
Ahmed Elsayed, Executive Director of J-PAL MENA, called the five-year milestone “a moment to reflect and look ahead.” He said, “We’ve built a culture of evidence-informed policymaking in Egypt and the broader region. Now is the time to deepen our partnerships and expand the reach of solutions grounded in scientific evidence.”
Panel discussions during the anniversary event spotlighted successful collaborations with government bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Participants shared real-world outcomes of research that shaped interventions in areas such as poverty reduction, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
One major initiative has been the Egypt Impact Lab, launched in 2022 in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and with support from Community Jameel, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and UNICEF Egypt. Officially integrated into the Ministry’s training arm in 2024, the Lab helps evaluate and scale innovative public programs to better address poverty and inequality.
“From Morocco to Saudi Arabia, J-PAL MENA’s work is reaching communities across the region,” said George Richards, Director of Community Jameel. “In just five years, they have demonstrated the power of evidence to shape effective public policy on complex issues from hunger to pollution.”
Looking forward, J-PAL MENA announced the launch of the Hub of Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment (HAPIE). This initiative will tackle critical air and water issues as part of the broader J-PAL Air and Water Labs, in collaboration with Community Jameel.
J-PAL, founded in 2003 at MIT, now operates seven regional offices worldwide. The MENA office at AUC continues to serve as a central hub for research excellence and policy engagement in the region, helping ensure that future development strategies are grounded in data and deliver real impact for communities.
