Dr. Ali is the current Managing Director of the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI). He has a PhD in Economics and an MBA in International Finance. Dr. Ali was the executive Director of the National Economic Council of Somalia between 2018-2022, and worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on macroeconomic policy advice and technical assistance to countries in Africa, Middle East and the Western Hemisphere. He also worked at Citibank in New York, Central Bank of Somalia, and as lecturer at several universities. Dr. Ali has many publications on a wide range of economic subjects including public finance management and governance; trade and regional integration; climate change impact on sustainable development; and fiscal and monetary policy reforms in developing countries. He has conducted research and lectured extensively on economic challenges and potentials of the Horn of Africa countries in recent years.