Wadhah Al-Awlaqi has served as the Chief Economist at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies since 2019. He has over a decade of experience in economic research, analysis, and policy development focused on Yemen. He held several key positions at the Central Bank of Yemen, overseeing strategic planning, financial reporting, budget management, and accounting operations. He holds an MBA in Finance from the prestigious KAIST Business School in South Korea.
Wadhah's latest contributions
PLC Approves Government’s 2026 Program
The Week in Yemen
During a meeting in Riyadh, the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) discussed the implementation of the government’s 2026 program alongside projected state budget figures. The draft program—a copy of which was viewed by the Sana’a Center—is structured into three tiers: a situational assessment, the government strategy, and … Read more
Supporting Trade Finance in Yemen Amid Uncertainty
The war has fundamentally altered Yemen’s trade finance system, transforming it from a reliable, unified, bank-led mechanism into several divergent, conflicting structures that have made import financing cumbersome, costly, and unstable. The conflict has led to the suspension of oil and gas exports — the country’s primary source of revenue and … Read more
The Yemen Review Quarterly: October-December 2025
The Economy
Yemen’s economy remains under severe strain, with its real GDP projected to decline by 1.5 percent in 2025. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 61 percent of surveyed households in the country struggled to meet their minimum food needs in November. Of this group, 35 percent were facing severe food insecurity. Inadequate food consumption … Read more
The Yemen Review Quarterly: October-December 2025
The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) December takeover of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra precipitated a massive shift in Yemen’s political and security landscape. After nearly a month of failed negotiations, Saudi-backed forces counterattacked and, aided by local tribesmen and air support, found quick success. STC-affiliated forces were … Read more
The Yemen Review Quarterly: July-September 2025
The Economy
In its Yemen Food Security Update, the World Food Programme (WFP) indicated that the country’s food security situation continues to deteriorate, with 62 percent of surveyed households not having adequate access to food in August, despite an 8 percent month-on-month improvement. Sixty-four percent of affected households were located in areas under … Read more