Blended Finance Conference - Cairo, May 9, 2023 / Speakers

DR.ALI KAMEL ALI

DR.ALI KAMEL ALI

ALI KAMEL ALI, MS, PHD-ABD
Principal Technical Advisor, Economic Growth Group

For 25 years, Kamel worked in USAID/Cairo’s Office of Economic Growth. He specialized in implementing medium and large developmental projects related to agriculture reform; evaluating economic, commercial, trade, fiscal and legal/regulatory requirements; designing large activities in economic growth areas; and managing large economic reform activities that were newly implemented.

Ali Kamel is a two-time recipient of the Foreign Service National of the Year Award that acknowledges sustained outstanding performance and contribution to success in public financial management and program management.

Ali Kamel earned a bachelor’s degree from Cairo University, a master’s in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University. He was also a PhD candidate at Michigan State. He completed post graduate studies at Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Colorado. Since 2014, Ali has joined Creative Associates International as the Principal Economic Advisor.

Ali is fluent in Arabic and English and knows basic German.
He is an economic development expert and senior economic growth advisor. Has more than 35 years of experience managing and implementing programs in economic growth, agricultural development, capacity building and competitiveness projects. In addition, my work has focused on reforming policies related to agriculture, economic policy, finance, administration and human resources.

While working at USAID, he received the global Foreign Service National of the Year Award twice. More than two decades apart, he earned the award in 1992 and 2013. The acknowledgement is given for sustained outstanding performance and contribution to success in public financial management and program management. Ali and his team demonstrated hard work while completing projects and our impact on agriculture and economic growth is sustained in communities abroad. Another accomplishment is working successfully for seven years with the Creative team to support farmers and vulnerable populations in Asia, West Africa, and in the Dry Corridor of Honduras.  

The nickname “Samurai of Reform” was once given to him by colleagues. While working on agricultural policy the sector was strongly controlled by government laws and regulations. But our team was able to significantly reform and liberalize the sector.

Creative has a great reputation and emphasis on teamwork. I’m proud to work with teams that contribute to Creative’s impact in over 26 countries.

QUICK FACTS

  • EXPERTISE:Economic Growth
  • DISCIPLINES:Agricultural Development, Economics, Workforce, TVET, SMEs, Policy Reform
  • EDUCATION:Post-graduate studies in macroeconomic and food policy, Harvard Institute for International Development | Graduate studies in world banking and finance, University of Colorado, Boulder | ABD in economics, Michigan State University | MS in agricultural economics, Michigan State University | Georgetown University Law Center, International Law Institute | BSN in agricultural economics, Cairo University
  • DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE:

USAID Egypt, 1989 – 2014
Creative Associates International, Washington, DC 2014-present
LANGUAGES:
Fluent Arabic and English, Basic German

  • PUBLICATIONS:

“Micro-Level Research in Developing Countries Using Database Management Systems” Thesis, Ali Kamel, Michigan State University, 1986
“Financial Reforms and Rural Credit: The PBDAC's Evolving Role” Dale W. Adams and Ali Kamel, 1996 (in Egypt's Agriculture in a Reform Era), Iowa State University
“Formal and Informal Finance in Rural Egypt”, Ali Kamel 1989, incomplete/unpublished PhD Dissertation, Michigan State University
“Lessons Learned: Government to Government (G2G) Implementing and Funding Mechanisms Implementation Letters.” William Butterfield and Ali Kamel, USAID/RDMA Economists Workshop, 2013
“Cost Reimbursement Projects and Implementation Letters”, Unpublished Manual, 2012
“Chronology of Economic Reform in Egypt- a Chapter in Inclusive Growth Diagnostic Study- “, co-author, USAID Egypt, 2014
“Is Non-Inclusive Economic Growth Sufficient for Stability” Ali Kamel Ali, Creative Associates International, February 2015
“The Path to Youth Engagement and Empowerment in Jordan” Ali Kamel Ali, Creative Associates International, February 2016
“ Oral History- Full Interview- Ali Kamel-USAID” The Association for Diplomatic Studies Training, February 2017
“Combating Corruption in Egypt During the Arab Spring: USAID’s Role” Ali Kamel, The Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training, April 2018