Hamza Baloul was born in Arbaji, Sudan in the late seventies. Hamza holds a Bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies at the University of Khartoum. Hamza held several positions during his career. He was an editor with several newspapers such as Al-Hurrya, Al-Sudani and Al-Ahdath. Hamza was dispatched by the Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq to cover the South Sudan Referendum. Hamza joined the Niles project in 2010.