Bilal has more than 15 years' experience in business, tech and media, and has served in senior finance, operational and editorial roles across the world. Leading the South Africa Media Innovation Program (SAMIP) since launching in 2017, allowed him to combine very different experiences from his past roles. Bilal started his professional career as a Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent) at KPMG in Johannesburg and then London. From 2010, Bilal was Social Media Manager and Online Editor at Al Jazeera in Doha, where he led product development of new online tools and developed and executed a social media strategy for the newsroom. He then led QatarLiving.com, the largest website focused on Qatar, where he developed and executed a plan to build corporate infrastructure and develop a sales and marketing strategy.
Bilal serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for Creative Commons, an international nonprofit organization that helps overcome legal obstacles to the sharing of knowledge and creativity. He received his undergraduate degree in Finance and Marketing, and honors degree in Accounting from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He holds a post-graduate diploma in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University.