Aref Adamali works as a regional economist for the World Bank Group, working on trade and competitiveness issues in Sub-Saharan Africa and on manufacturing challenges globally, working out of Nairobi and Istanbul. Prior to this, he designed and manufactured high-end furniture, leading the second-generation transformation of his family’s business. Aref has previously worked as a competitiveness strategy consultant with OTF Group, in the World Bank’s information technology policy division in Washington DC, and as a management consultant in New York working with US non-profits and international NGOs. Aref has a masters degree in Economic and Political Development from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and an undergraduate degree from the London School of Economics (LSE).