His Excellency Azzam A. Shawwa is a distinguished Palestinian business leader, former senior government official, and philanthropist with extensive experience in banking, economic development, governance, and social investment.

From 2015 to 2021, he served as Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Monetary Authority, where he played a leading role in strengthening the Palestinian financial sector. He previously served as Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (2003–2006) and Chairman of the Association of Banks in Palestine.

In 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Orphan Fund Management and Development Foundation. He also holds leadership and board positions across several prominent Palestinian institutions, including the Yasser Arafat Foundation, Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, and Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute. His involvement in entrepreneurship, charitable initiatives, and economic empowerment reflects his longstanding commitment to advancing opportunities and improving livelihoods in Palestinian communities.

His contributions have received international recognition, including the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Award for charitable performance in the Arab world (2024) and the Golden Union Medal of Achievement (2018) for his leadership in the Palestinian banking sector.

Born in Kuwait and raised primarily in Gaza, Mr. Shawwa holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from LeMoyne–Owen College in Memphis, USA.