Dr Ammar Hamadien (UNDP) UK

Dr. Ammar Hamadien is a seasoned international ICT professional with 28 years of experience in leadership roles across government, multilateral organizations, and multinational telecom companies. His wealth of knowledge and experience stems from an extensive career spanning three continents. His expertise lies at the intersection of technology, policy, and strategic engagement.

Dr. Hamadien is the Lead Advisor for Digital Sustainable Development (D4SD) at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States. He provides strategic guidance to the digital transformation team in this role, focusing on strategy formulation, policy development, and fostering strategic partnerships. He also holds the position of Strategic Consultant for Digital Transformation at UNDP Iraq, where he is instrumental in establishing the groundwork for a sustainable and scalable digital economy in collaboration with the Iraqi government. Additionally, he is Senior Advisor-MENA at Policy Impact Partners, further demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the field.

Previously, Dr. Hamadien was Senior Advisor at the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). His responsibilities encompassed policy formulation, international relations, and strategic engagement. At the DCO, he championed digital inclusion and played a pivotal role in shaping progressive technology policies.

Prior to his current roles, he served as the Deputy Minister for Digital Transformation at the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation and as the Director General of the National Information Center in Sudan, where he made significant contributions to the country's digital landscape. His leadership was also evident during his tenure as the Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Engagement at the GSMA in the Middle East and North Africa. Furthermore, he demonstrated his managerial prowess as the Managing Director and CEO at Chinguitel S.A. in Mauritania.

Notably, he contributed significantly to the Zain Group, working across offices in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Sudan. As the Director of Products and Services, he spearheaded product development and innovation across the group’s operating companies in the Middle East and Africa. His technical and managerial roles at e& (formerly Etisalat), HP, and Cisco Systems further enriched his diverse experience.

Dr. Hamadien holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Bradford, where his research focused on technology diffusion, tech policy, and FinTech. He also earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) law from Queen Mary University of London, an MBA in Telecommunications Management from Imperial College London, and a BSc in Management Information Systems from California State University. He also completed the Advanced Diploma in Internet Governance from the Diplo Foundation. His commitment to continuous learning is evident through executive education programs at Said Business School, Oxford University, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and The Wharton School. He is a Fellow in Privacy (FIP) at the International Association of Privacy Professionals.