Akram Zaoui, Associate Fellow, Geopolitics

Akram Zaoui is an Associate Fellow, Geopolitics at ORF Middle East (ORF ME), where his research examines the implications of the current geopolitical transition at the confluence of the African, Arab, and Mediterranean areas, with a particular interest in geoeconomics and its effects on national development and security, as well as regional integration, resilience, and stability.

He joined ORF ME in January 2026, bringing over eight years of experience at the intersection of civil society, consulting, and policy research across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

He previously served as Senior International Relations Specialist and Chargé de Mission (Advisor) to the Executive President of the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), a leading African think rank. In this capacity, he played a central role in the centre’s strategic development and external positioning, overseeing key partnerships and engagements with peer institutions, international organisations, senior policymakers, and thought leaders. His work focused on building platforms for policy dialogue and cooperation on African integration, Atlantic relations, Mediterranean partnerships, and global governance and international development.

He also served at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco’s leading university, advising senior academic leadership and contributing to flagship courses and high-level research seminars on comparative politics, decision-making and geopolitics.

Earlier in his career, while based in Paris, he contributed to advisory and policy projects with Volentia, a boutique strategic advisory consultancy, and Institut Montaigne, a leading independent French think tank.

He holds a dual master’s degree in Corporate and Public Management from HEC Paris and Sciences Po, as well as a bachelor’s degree in History from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.