Sara Alnashar
Senior Country Economist, The World Bank’s Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Region
Sara Alnashar is a Senior Country Economist at the World Bank’s Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region. Dr. Alnashar holds a PhD in Economics, as well as an MSc in Economics, from Cairo University. She also earned an MA in Policy Economics from Williams College (USA) while she was on the Fulbright Program. Her professional career has evolved in parallel with her academic journey, combining empirical research with hands-on policy engagement. Dr. Alnashar has authored book chapters, journal articles, research papers, and major World Bank reports on a wide range of topics, including public debt dynamics, fiscal multipliers, monetary autonomy, international financial integration, labor productivity, and economic transformation.
Areas of Interest:
- Public finance
- Monetary autonomy
- International financial integration
- Labor productivity and economic transformation
Education:
- PhD in Economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, September 2019
- MA in Policy Economics, Center for Development Economics, Williams College, USA, June 2010
- MSc. in Economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, July 2009
- BSc. in Economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, May 2003
Experience:
- Senior Economist, World Bank, Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Region, 2022 – Present
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Mohamed Shafik Gabr Department of Economics, The American University in Cairo, Fall 2025
- Economist - The World Bank Group, 2013 – 2021
- Economist – The Egyptian Center for Economic Studies (ECES), 2010 – 2012
- Research Analyst – The Egyptian Center for Economic Studies (ECES), 2005 – 2009
Latest Publications:
- Alnashar, Sara, Fatma Elashmawy, Jala Youssef, Yosra Bedair, Hoda Youssef, Mohammed Audah, Amira Kazem, Fadila Caillaud, Farah Kaddah. 2022. Egypt Economic Monitor: Strengthening Resilience through Fiscal and Education Sector Reforms (English and Arabic). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group.
- Alnashar, Sara, Fatma Elashmawy, Jala Youssef. 2020. Egypt Economic Monitor: From Crisis to Economic Transformation - Unlocking Egypt’s Productivity and Job-Creation Potential (English and Arabic). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group.
- Alnashar, Sara. 2019. On Egypt’s Government Debt: Perpetual Deficits and Exchange Rate Depreciations. Conference Paper. Presented at the Economic Research Forum’s 25th Annual Conference (March 2019; Kuwait).
- Youssef, Hoda, Sara Alnashar, Jala Erian, Amr Elshawarby and Chahir Zaki. 2019. Egypt Economic Monitor: From Floating to Thriving – Taking Egypt's Exports to New Level. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group.
- Alnashar, Sara. 2017. Egypt’s Government Spending Multiplier: Its Size and Determinants, Economic Research Forum Working Paper 1165.
Exchange Rate Management and Monetary Autonomy in Egypt
Areas of Interest: Public finance Monetary autonomy International financial integration Labor productivity and economic transformation Education: PhD in... Read More
May, 2026
Conference PaperWhat are the Drivers of Egypt’s Government Debt?
Areas of Interest: Public finance Monetary autonomy International financial integration Labor productivity and economic transformation Education: PhD in... Read More
December, 2019
Working PapersEgypt’s Government Spending Multiplier: Its Size and Determinants
Areas of Interest: Public finance Monetary autonomy International financial integration Labor productivity and economic transformation Education: PhD in... Read More
December, 2017
Working PapersERF 32nd Annual Conference – Parallel Sessions on Macroeconomics
Areas of Interest: Public finance Monetary autonomy International financial integration Labor productivity and economic transformation Education: PhD in... Read More
Jun 14, 2026