Global Innovation & Economic Development Specialist

From Complexity to Action

I transform complex development challenges into actionable tools that organizations can implement immediately for sustainable economic growth

Executive MBA (EMBA) - UQAM
IDEO Design Thinking Certified (Silicon Valley)
Blue Ocean Strategy Certified
20+ Years International Development Experience
Discover My Methodology Contact Me

Trusted by Leading Institutions

Refaat Sahbi - Global Innovation & Economic Development Specialist

Development Challenges in Emerging Markets

Obstacles preventing organizations from achieving sustainable growth

Complex Policy Frameworks

International agreements and development policies are designed for experts, not for SMEs and institutions that need to implement them.

Strategy-Execution Gap

Too many theoretical reports, not enough actionable tools that organizations can use starting Monday morning.

Limited Implementation Capacity

Organizations lack practical methodologies and frameworks to seize development opportunities and sustain impact.

Sustainability Challenges

Solutions that don't build local capacity and ownership fail to create long-term sustainable development impact.

My Differentiation

The BRIDGE Framework™

A Proven Methodology for Sustainable Development Impact
Combining IDEO Design Thinking + Blue Ocean Strategy for International Development Projects

Aligned with International Development Best Practices

Participatory & Inclusive

World Bank, UNDP Standards

Evidence-Based & Results-Oriented

USAID, GIZ Requirements

Capacity Building Focus

AfDB, EU Principles

Sustainable & Scalable

SDG Aligned
B

Blue Ocean Identification

Identify untapped market opportunities and high-potential sectors for your organization through strategic analysis.

R

Research & Empathy

Deep understanding of end-users' real needs through IDEO Design Thinking methodology and participatory research.

I

Collaborative Ideation

Co-create solutions with all stakeholders in structured, dynamic workshops that ensure ownership and buy-in.

D

Design of Actionable Tools

Transform ideas into toolkits, guides, and resources your teams can use immediately for implementation.

G

Guides & Frameworks

Create user-friendly project charters, action plans, and reference documents for sustainable implementation.

E

Execution Support

Accompany your teams during implementation to ensure adoption, capacity building, and lasting results.

Areas of Expertise

Sector Expertise

Comprehensive experience across key development sectors

🏭

Private Sector Development

  • ✓ SME/MSME competitiveness strengthening
  • ✓ Business ecosystem development
  • ✓ Value chain strengthening
  • ✓ Export promotion & market access
🎓

Education & Skills Development

  • ✓ Higher education reform & innovation
  • ✓ TVET (Technical & Vocational Training)
  • ✓ Entrepreneurship education
  • ✓ Digital skills development
💡

Innovation & Technology

  • ✓ Innovation ecosystem building
  • ✓ Digital transformation
  • ✓ Technology adoption & diffusion
  • ✓ Innovation policy development
🌍

Economic Development

  • ✓ Economic diversification strategies
  • ✓ Competitiveness enhancement
  • ✓ Investment climate improvement
  • ✓ Regional economic integration
♀️

Gender & Social Inclusion

  • ✓ Women's entrepreneurship
  • ✓ Youth employment
  • ✓ Inclusive innovation
  • ✓ Marginalized communities
🌱

Climate & Sustainability

  • ✓ Green business models
  • ✓ Circular economy
  • ✓ Climate-smart solutions
  • ✓ Sustainable development practices
Impact & Results

Development Projects & Results

Concrete transformations with measurable impact

Higher Education Innovation & Revenue Diversification

Client: Université de Montréal (5 Faculties) | Canada
Duration: 12 months
Sector: Higher Education Reform

The Challenge

A major Canadian university faced declining enrollments in continuing education programs amid increased competition and market disruption.

Development Challenge: Institutional sustainability & revenue diversification
Approach: Participatory innovation & stakeholder engagement

The BRIDGE Approach

  • Stakeholder Engagement: 50+ participants (professors, administrators, professionals)
  • Human-Centered Research: Deep empathy with potential learners
  • Blue Ocean Identification: Untapped opportunities in continuing education
  • Co-Creation Workshops: Collaborative design of innovative programs
  • Capacity Building: Team training in innovation methodologies

Results & Impact

+45%
Enrollment increase
$2M+ CAD
Additional revenue
5
Faculties redesigned
15+
New programs launched

Relevance for Development Projects

This project demonstrates expertise in:

  • Institutional strengthening & organizational change
  • Revenue diversification strategies
  • Participatory methodologies
  • Capacity building & knowledge transfer
  • Sustainable impact creation

Similar to: World Bank education sector reform projects, EU institutional strengthening programs

Industrial Competitiveness & Workforce Development

Client: Alliance Métal Québec (120+ Companies) | Canada
Duration: 18 months
Sector: Private Sector Development & TVET

The Challenge

A critical workforce shortage threatened the competitiveness of 120+ metal manufacturing companies in a key industrial cluster.

Development Challenge: Private sector competitiveness & skills gap
Approach: Multi-stakeholder collaboration & systemic solutions

The BRIDGE Approach

  • Systemic Analysis: Identification of root causes of workforce shortage
  • Multi-Stakeholder Workshops: Collaborative problem-solving with industry leaders
  • Co-Creation: Pragmatic solutions adapted to sector context
  • Innovation: Resource-sharing mechanisms between companies
  • Strategic Planning: Long-term roadmap for Metal Academy

Results & Impact

-25%
Recruitment time reduction
30+
Participating companies
100%
Plan adoption rate
120+
Beneficiary companies

Relevance for Development Projects

This project demonstrates expertise in:

  • Private sector development & competitiveness
  • Multi-stakeholder facilitation
  • Systemic approaches to complex challenges
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Scalable and replicable solutions

Similar to: IFC private sector development projects, GIZ competitiveness programs, USAID workforce development initiatives

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development in Higher Education

Client: Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) | Dakar, Senegal
Duration: 24 months
Sector: Higher Education & Entrepreneurship

The Challenge

A leading African university sought to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation into its academic culture to better prepare graduates for the job market.

Development Challenge: Youth employment & entrepreneurship ecosystem
Approach: Institutional transformation & capacity building

The BRIDGE Approach

  • Capacity Building: Intensive Design Thinking training for professors & staff
  • Coaching: Personalized support for methodology implementation
  • Institutional Transformation: Department converted into functional incubator
  • Field Practice: Co-creation sessions with young entrepreneurs
  • Ecosystem Building: University-entrepreneurial community linkages

Results & Impact

50+
Startups supported
30+
Professors & staff trained
200+
Students engaged
100%
Methodology sustainability

Relevance for Development Projects

This project demonstrates expertise in:

  • Entrepreneurship ecosystem development
  • Youth employment & skills development
  • Institutional capacity strengthening
  • Knowledge transfer & training of trainers
  • Sustainable transformation

Similar to: World Bank education projects, AfDB youth employment initiatives, UNDP entrepreneurship programs

Global Reach

Geographic Coverage & Experience

20+ Years International Development Experience

🌍 Africa

  • North Africa: Tunisia (16 years), Morocco, Algeria
  • West Africa: Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire
  • East & Southern Africa: Available for assignments

🌎 Middle East

  • GCC Countries: UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
  • Regional Projects: Available for assignments

🌎 Americas

  • North America: Canada (based in Montreal)
  • Latin America: Available for assignments

🌍 Europe

  • Western Europe: France, Belgium
  • Eastern Europe: Available for assignments

🌏 Asia-Pacific

  • Emerging Markets: Available for assignments
  • Regional Experience: Adaptable methodologies

🗣️ Languages

  • French: Native
  • English: Fluent
  • Arabic: Professional
Qualifications & Expertise

Why Development Organizations Choose My Services

International Certifications

IDEO Design Thinking Certification

IDEO U - Silicon Valley, United States

  • Foundation in Design Thinking
  • Advanced Design Thinking
  • Insights for Innovation
  • Human-Centered Design Principles

Relevance: Human-centered innovation approach aligned with World Bank, UNDP, and USAID participatory methodologies. Essential for stakeholder engagement and context-adapted solution design.

Blue Ocean Strategy Certification

Blue Ocean Strategy Institute

  • Value Innovation Frameworks
  • Strategy Canvas & Blue Ocean Tools
  • Market Creation & Competitive Differentiation

Relevance: Strategic innovation framework for identifying untapped opportunities in development contexts. Particularly effective for private sector development and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Academic Background

Executive MBA (EMBA)

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 2011-2014

  • Strategic Management & Leadership
  • Organizational Development & Change Management
  • Innovation & Business Model Design
  • Financial Strategy & Performance Management

Relevance: Executive-level strategic thinking for complex development projects requiring organizational transformation, stakeholder management, and sustainable institutional strengthening

Master's in Marketing

Institut Supérieur de Gestion (ISG), Tunis, 1997

Professional Experience

  • 20+ years in International Development
  • 16 years in Tunisia (multinational pharma & local SMEs)
  • 4+ years in Canada (universities, industrial associations)
  • Projects in Senegal, Morocco, Belgium
  • Emerging markets context expertise

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Observatoire de la Francophonie Économique
  • Member, Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec (FCCQ)
  • Member, Ordre des Administrateurs Agréés du Québec

Publications & Thought Leadership

  • Book chapter: "COVID-19 and CSR" (Corporate Social Responsibility)
  • Articles: FCCQ, HR Practices (50,000+ companies reached)
  • Speaker: Innovation & entrepreneurship conferences
  • LinkedIn: Regular insights on innovation & development

Why This Matters for Development Projects

  • ✓ Certified methodologies = Quality assurance
  • ✓ Academic rigor = Evidence-based approach
  • ✓ Multicultural experience = Context sensitivity
  • ✓ Trilingual = Access to diverse stakeholders
  • ✓ Proven track record = Risk mitigation
Get in Touch

Let's Discuss Your Development Project

Available for short and long-term assignments worldwide

For Development Organizations & Donors

I am available for assignments in:

  • Private sector development
  • Innovation & entrepreneurship
  • Capacity building & institutional strengthening
  • Education & skills development
Request CV & Proposal

Contact Information

Phone:
+1 438 863 8853
Based in:
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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