The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of more than 1,000 researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of more than 1,000 researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.
Our affiliated professors are based at over 120 universities and conduct randomized evaluations around the world to design, evaluate, and improve programs and policies aimed at reducing poverty. They set their own research agendas, raise funds to support their evaluations, and work with J-PAL staff on research, policy outreach, and training.
Our research, policy, and training work is fundamentally better when it is informed by a broad range of perspectives.
Senior Policy Manager DigiFi, J-PAL Africa
Zayyad Tsiga is a Senior Policy Manager at J-PAL Africa. He primarily works with the Digital Identification and Finance Initiative in Africa (DigiFI) team to expand J-PAL's research portfolio around digital public infrastructure and works with government stakeholders in this area to promote evidence-based policymaking across Africa.
Prior to joining J-PAL Africa, he worked in the Nigerian public sector as the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Kaduna State Residents Identity Management Agency, where he, amongst other things, oversaw the increase of the state digital identity coverage from 2.3 million registrations (24% coverage) to 6.65 million registrations (70% coverage). He also contributed extensively to the State’s efforts around e-governance, financial inclusion, and social protection and further served as the Secretary of the Kaduna State Economic Development Council between June 2021 and May 2023.
Zayyad holds a doctorate and master's degree in information systems and management of IT, respectively, from the University of Nottingham, and a bachelor's degree in business information technology, with first-class honors, from Coventry University.