Monday, 25 May 2026
Credit: AUC
Fighting poverty with evidence: J-PAL MENA turns five
In an atmosphere brimming with hope and ambition, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA) at The American University in Cairo marked a significant milestone this week—its fifth anniversary.
This celebration wasn’t simply a measure of years, but of real lives changed. Over the past half-decade, J-PAL MENA has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between rigorous academic research and the urgent, everyday needs of communities across the region.
Held at the heart of Cairo in the welcoming halls of AUC’s Malak Gabr Theater, the event brought together a vibrant tapestry of policymakers, researchers, international donors, and community leaders. It was a testament to a shared vision: harnessing the power of data to inform cost-effective, impactful policies that respond to pressing challenges—poverty, hunger, environmental sustainability, and beyond.
Highlighting the event was an inspiring keynote address by Nobel Laureate and J-PAL co-founder Abhijit Banerjee, whose words resonated with a sense of responsibility and optimism for future generations. Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al Mashat, also graced the audience with thoughtful opening remarks, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to evidence-driven development.
Panel discussions throughout the day became a forum for spirited exchange, where government officials, NGO leaders, and policy innovators shared stories of measurable change and the promise that science-backed solutions hold for the future of Egypt and the wider region.
Since its founding in 2020 at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, J-PAL MENA has rapidly emerged as a leader in evidence-based policymaking. Collaborating closely with governments, NGOs, and dedicated donors, the Lab has catalyzed more than 60 evaluations in areas spanning health, education, labor, and environmental sustainability—all grounded in local context and guided by international best practices.
"Since 2020, when Community Jameel supported the establishment of J-PAL MENA, we have been in awe of the speed and scale of its impact on people’s lives, from Morocco to Saudi Arabia and especially here in Egypt," shared George Richards, director of Community Jameel.
“Today, on this fifth anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to tackling our region’s most urgent challenges—poverty, hunger, air pollution, and water scarcity—through the transformative power of rigorous evidence."
A shining example of J-PAL MENA’s commitment is the Egypt Impact Lab, launched in 2022 in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and supported by Community Jameel, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and UNICEF Egypt. The Lab evaluates innovative government programs to enhance effectiveness and scalability, and as of 2024, has become an integrated component of Egypt’s National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.
Reflecting on this journey, Ahmed Elsayed, Executive Director of J-PAL MENA, said: “As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we reflect on the incredible journey of fostering a culture of evidence-informed policymaking. This milestone is not just a celebration of achievements but a moment to deepen our partnerships and redouble our efforts to create lasting, positive change.”
Looking toward the future, J-PAL MENA has announced the launch of the Hub of Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment (HAPIE) for 2025—a regional effort to tackle urgent air and water issues with the same evidence-based approach that has powered its mission from the start.
J-PAL was established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003 and has grown into a global network seeking to reduce poverty by ensuring policies are grounded in sound science, with regional offices spanning five continents.
In just five years, J-PAL MENA has become a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and positive impact, working across seven countries—Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—and transforming the way social challenges are confronted in the region.