Overview

About Us

An independent think tank shaping policy, amplifying local voices, and driving dialogue for a more just and peaceful Middle East.

Centering Yemeni Policy Gaps


Amplifying local voices to shape a just and stable Yemen.

We amplify diverse voices 


to advance peace, accountability, and inclusive development.

Our Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission

Advance peace and growth through research and dialogue.

Our Vision

A just, peaceful, and inclusive future for Yemen and the region.

Our Values

integrity, inclusivity, and impact.

Sana'a Center in numbers

1,500+

Total Publications

500+

Events & Webinars

10M+

Total Views

8000+

Email Audience

About Us

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies is an independent think-tank that seeks to foster change through knowledge production with a focus on Yemen and the surrounding region. The Center’s publications and programs, offered in both Arabic and English, cover political, social, economic and security related developments, aiming to impact policy locally, regionally, and internationally.

Founded in 2014, the Sana’a Center is one of the few independent research centers that continues to operate in Yemen. While the Center maintains cordial relations with all key stakeholders it has remained fiercely unaligned with any of the belligerent parties. The Sana’a Center has thus maintained a unique positioning and ability to work throughout Yemen and beyond, distinguishing itself as an emerging leader in Yemen-related research and analysis.

The Sana’a Center maintains a strong network across Yemen with access to key political, military and security figures, tribal leaders, the financial sector, economists, journalists, humanitarian actors, civil society and other important stakeholders. The Center has also established a broad network and presence within the international community connecting it to international organizations, diplomatic circles, regional and international policy makers, research centers and global forums.

The Sana’a Center’s reports and researchers are widely quoted in local, regional and international media outlets, while the analysis of the Center’s experts is regularly sought out by local and international stakeholders. The Sana’a Center provides consultation services, including monitoring and evaluation, and technical and analytical advice in the fields of humanitarian, economic, political, civil and social development.

Management Team

View all team members
Maged Al-Madhaji Chairperson and Co-Founder
Yasmeen al-Eryani Co-Executive Director for
Knowledge Production
Osamah Al Rawhani Co-Executive Director for
Policy and Partnerships
Nuha Al-Saeedi Director of operations

Board of Trustees

Elisabeth Kendall Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Peter Semneby Member on the Board of Trustees
Barbara K. Bodine Member on the Board of Trustees
Léonie Northedge Member on the Board of Trustees
Graeme Simpson Member on the Board of Trustees
Sara Al-Zawqari Member on the Board of Trustees

Donors & Partners

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
  • Open Society Foundations
  • European Union
  • Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC)
  • The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Yemen
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
  • National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
  • Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Government of Switzerland)
  • The Exchange Foundation
  • Crisis Management Initiative (CMI)
  • Saferworld
  • DeepRoot Consulting
  • Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO)
  • Arab Reform Initiative