J-PAL Middle East and North Africa

J-PAL Middle East and North Africa (MENA), based at the American University in Cairo, leads J-PAL’s work in the Middle East and North Africa region. J-PAL MENA conducts randomised evaluations, builds partnerships for evidence-informed policymaking, and helps partners scale up effective programmes.

The research team evaluates the impact of social programmes and policies in MENA, covering a wide range of sectors including social protection, employment, education, and gender. Through online and in-person courses, J-PAL MENA trains implementers, policymakers, donors, and advocates on how to generate and use rigorous evidence. The policy team works to institutionalise learning from evidence and disseminate research results to governments and other partners.

J-PAL MENA launched in 2021, with support from Community Jameel, as the seventh J-PAL regional office.