Aya Essam

Aya is a Senior Policy, Training, and Events Associate in J-PAL J-PAL Middle East and North Africa, Egypt Impact Lab, housed in the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. In this role, she supports the firms, finance, and governance sectors, working closely with policymakers, donors, and practitioners to facilitate the use of rigorous evidence in the planning and execution of development programs. She is also the EIL focal point of the Communications Vertical, supporting the generation of policy and communication products that effectively translate research into actionable insights. 

Prior to joining J-PAL MENA in 2023, she worked as an economist and case handler in the Egyptian Competition Authority, where she was responsible for promoting competitive neutrality in the Egyptian markets. 

Aya holds a Master’s degree in Law and Economics from Hamburg University and a bachelor's degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University.