Hussam has over a decade of experience working at the intersection of research and financial inclusion policy, across emerging markets in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. He leads the IPA Financial Inclusion Program's work on digital public infrastructure, mobile money, affordability of digital financial services and access to finance for MSMEs. Previously, Hussam worked in Pakistan for over 8 years on financial inclusion and social protection through serving in research and monitoring and evaluation roles. At Karandaaz Pakistan, he led process evaluations for internal programs focused on digital financial services, SME development and microfinance. He also helped establish Karandaaz’s Innovation Challenge Fund focused on providing financial and technical support to women entrepreneurs. He has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of London (international program) and a Masters in Management Consulting from the University of Hull, UK.