Dr. Oulie Keita

Dr. Oulie Keita
Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa
Mali

Dr. Oulie Keita is an international development expert with 22 years of experience in policy, lobbying, advocacy, and campaigns on a wide range of issues. She holds a PhD in Governance, Development and Peace, a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Organizational Management and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Maryland, in the United States. Bringing over two decades of knowledge and expertise acquired through various roles in United Nations, USAID, the African Union, and other international and regional organizations, across the US, Europe and Africa. Dr. Keita has experience in high-level engagement. She has spoken at high-level panels at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the African Union Commission (AUC), the World Bank Group (WBG), the World Economic Forum, and has had various political engagements with Heads of State, Ministers, members of Parliament and other dignitaries.

Prior to joining Greenpeace Africa as the Executive Director, Dr. Keita worked as the Executive Director of UNDP’s YouthConnekt Africa Programme based in Kigali, Rwanda, covering 32 countries across the continent. In this role, she collaborated with African Governments and partners to invest in the socio-economic transformation of the youth on the continent. Previously, Dr. Keita served as the Director for West and Central Africa at the ONE Campaign for six years, based in Dakar, Senegal, where she led numerous successful campaigns. She also held the position of Program Director for Freedom House in Mali for 3 years, where she established the West Africa office for Freedom House and contributed to developing a national strategy for transitional justice and national reconciliation.

Dr. Keita has worked in the United States for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Africa Program, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, she has conducted consultancy missions for international organizations such as UNOPS, the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) the African Union, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Millennium Promise Alliance, Femmes Africa Solidarity (FAS), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). She has extensive experience serving on and collaborating with NGO boards. Dr. Keita is fluent in English and French. Her passion for the environment and commitment to social justice in Africa led Dr. Keita to join Greenpeace Africa to contribute to the protection of our planet and the well-being of the people.

Dr. Keita was named among the 2023 List of 100 Most Influential African Women by Avance Media.

Photo Credit: Tropics Magazine