MENA Growth Academy

What can Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries do to boost economic growth in the region? The MENA Growth Academy conference provided a clear roadmap, sharing strategies for economic growth, productivity enhancement, and overcoming the middle-income trap. Building on the success of the inaugural Growth Academy in Washington D.C. and Chicago in 2024, the Institute for Economic Development, the University of Chicago, and Economic Research Forum of Egypt, organized this conference in Cairo, Egypt.

The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and experts to address the unique growth challenges and opportunities across the region. Through interactive workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and technical deep dives, the MENA Growth Academy equipped participants with tools to promote innovation, productivity, and inclusive economic transformation. Special attention was given to youth employment, private sector development, and the long-term impacts of conflict and reconstruction on institutional capacity.

In response to regional priorities, this program also highlighted climate adaptation, digital transformation, and cross-border trade—leveraging both global research and region-specific policy experiences.
 

The event closed with a workshop on the Modelling Long-Term Growth in Developing Countries, which included group discussions and hands-on exercises for participants to model the growth of their countries.