Dr. Kelly Alexander

Dr Kelly Alexander is the President and founder of Meridian 17, a think tank dedicated to strengthening and deepening ties between Africa and the EU. A social scientist with expertise across multiple sectors—including energy, human capital, education, and entrepreneurship—she specialises in analysing geopolitical shifts and their implications for business, as well as the strategic integration of sustainability in economic development.
Kelly is a faculty member in Strategy & Sustainability at GIBS Business School in South Africa and divides her time between South Africa and the Netherlands. Her academic work addresses key policy issues such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and renewable energy transitions in Africa. She has published extensively in academic chapters, whitepapers, and opinion articles, providing insights on Africa-EU relations.
Kelly holds a Master's in Development Sociology from Wits University and a PhD in Management and Organisation Studies from Tilburg University.