Abdel-illah Boukhezer

Biography

Abdel-illah Boukhezer is a geopolitical strategist and policy advisor specialising in the political, security, and development affairs of Africa and the Middle East. He is the Founder and President of the MEA Institute for Strategic Studies, the first youth-led think tank operating across the Middle East and Africa.

Under his leadership, the MEA Institute has emerged as a respected platform for strategic dialogue and policy research, convening senior policymakers, diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders across regions. The institute’s work focuses on regional security, governance, sustainable development, and geopolitical cooperation between Africa and the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on strengthening independent and cross-regional policy thinking.

Mr. Boukhezer advises multilateral organisations, including the United Nations and the African Union, as well as sovereign governments, on issues relating to governance, conflict prevention, regional integration, and strategic development. He has led delegations to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and contributed to high-level international policy discussions engaging stakeholders across diplomacy, development, and global affairs.

Prior to his work in policy and strategy, he held diverse experience across international media, the private sector, and the non-profit world, shaping a multidisciplinary approach to international affairs and institutional leadership.

A recognised advocate for youth leadership in policymaking, Mr. Boukhezer has consistently advanced the view that investing in strategic youth participation is essential to long-term regional stability and development. In 2024, he was recognised with the Youth Activist of the Year Award and the Outstanding Contributor to Young People Award in the United Kingdom for his contributions to youth leadership and public diplomacy initiatives across Africa.

He holds advanced degrees in international relations and governance from the University of Birmingham, La Sorbonne, and the University of Vienna.