Umar Danilo Aly

Umar Danilo Aly is a Cohort 4 Umholi we Africa Fellow, currently serving as Technical Advisor – Youth Development, Skills & Economic Empowerment to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Republic of Mozambique. In this role, he contributes to efforts aimed at strengthening opportunities for young people through skills development, economic empowerment, and more effective public-sector approaches to youth development. 

A Mozambican development professional, Umar is passionate about strengthening public institutions and advancing inclusive economic growth across Africa. His experience spans government engagement, economic development, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector partnerships, with professional exposure across Africa and Asia. 

Umar has supported the Government of Mozambique through high-level public engagement and strategic partnerships at Expo 2025 Osaka, facilitating dialogue between senior government officials and international stakeholders. He has also worked as a Development Specialist for a Japanese company, contributing to global partnership strategies and institutional collaboration initiatives. These experiences have strengthened his ability to build bridges between governments, businesses, development actors, and international partners. 

His work sits at the intersection of public policy, entrepreneurship, and governance, reflecting a strong interest in how institutions can create enabling environments for inclusive growth and greater economic opportunity for young people. 

Umar holds a Master’s degree in International Development and Education from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied as a UNESCO Fellow and Aga Khan Foundation Scholar. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specialising in Economics and Innovation, from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, where he was a MEXT Scholar. 

Through the Umholi we Africa Fellowship, Umar is deepening his contribution to Mozambique’s youth development agenda while bringing an international perspective to the challenges of skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic participation. 

He is committed to ethical leadership, institutional transformation, and building public systems that expand opportunities for Africa’s next generation.