Sara Ketabi, Founder and CEO of CollatEd Lab—the first policy innovation lab in Africa focused on advancing inclusive and sustainable societies through government consulting—has become a public figure in Libya’s journey toward economic diversification, governance reform, human rights, and peacebuilding. Under her visionary leadership, CollatEd Lab has led systemic breakthroughs from 2019 to 2024 that have significantly impacted Libya’s economic and political landscape.
Ketabi led a diverse team of policy researchers, data scientists, and graduate students in crafting a series of transformative policy recommendations designed to tackle Libya’s most pressing challenges. Among the key projects was the proposal for governance structures that would ensure a more equitable distribution of natural resources, reducing corruption risks and improving public accountability. Her team suggested the establishment of an independent revenue-monitoring body to safeguard transparency and efficiency in water management. These recommendations were praised by Libya’s leadership, including Prime Minister H.E. Abdullah Al-Thinni and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulhadi Ibrahim Lahweej, for their potential to lay the foundation for a more accountable government.
Sara also made significant strides in promoting Libya’s economic diversification. Understanding that the country’s heavy reliance on oil exposes it to global market fluctuations, she advocated for investment in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. This visionary approach not only aims to reduce Libya’s vulnerability to oil price volatility but also sets the stage for a more resilient, self-sustaining economy in the years to come.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Ketabi’s work is her focus on peacebuilding through economic stability. By advocating for transparent leadership, Sara’s team showed how such reforms could play a critical role in fostering national reconciliation and mitigating regional and political tensions. This approach, underpinned by sound economic policy, has the potential to rebuild trust in the government, promoting long-term peace and stability across Libya.
Perhaps most impactful was Ketabi’s proposal for the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) aimed at using Libya’s wealth of resources as a tool for economic recovery and social stability. This fund, with its focus on transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance, could help mitigate the risks associated with the “resource curse,” while also supporting Libya’s post-civil war and pandemic-induced recovery. Her leadership continues to resonate, with CollatEd Lab’s work influencing key diplomatic policies, including theWater Diplomacy Framework for Cross-Border Water Resource Management Framework for transboundary river basins. This framework, which Sara advocated for, has become a model for managing shared water resources in a sustainable and collaborative manner. The multilateral framework contributed to a 5% increase in water use efficiency over the last half decade. Joint projects have provided clean water access to over 2 million people, while regional cooperation has led to a 30% reduction in water-related conflicts in the same period.
Over a five-year period, the Water Diplomacy Framework for Cross-Border Water Resource Management, Framework applied to a shared river basin, similar to the Nile River Basin, which includes 11 countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Her framework successfully established shared data platforms and initiated joint infrastructure projects that resulted in a 20% reduction in water wastage and a 25% improvement in equitable water distribution.
Additionally, it played a key role in resolving tensions, leading to a 30% reduction in conflicts related to water resources and improving regional cooperation by 40%, as evidenced by collaborative initiatives among riparian states. Moreover, Libyan communities experienced a 15% increase in water access, advancing health and economic conditions.
Sara Ketabi’s impact on Libya is multi-sectoral. Her strategic insight, combined with her ability to unite diverse expertise, has positioned her as a leading force in the country’s economic, social, and political recovery. Through CollatEd Lab, she is not just creating policy; she is shaping Libya’s future.
Learn more about Sara Ketabi by visiting her official website
Published by Stephanie M.
