Elin Mathilda Karlsson is an Industrial Development Expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and their Division of Energy and Climate Action, where she leads the implementation of the country windows of the  Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA) Program.

Elin is a seasoned expert with more than twelve years of experience in international development cooperation, focusing on private sector development, financing and sustainable energy and climate change. She has held different management- and policy advisory roles having worked for UN agencies, INGOs, donors and the private sector across Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining EELA, she served as Country Programme Specialist with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda, providing strategic advisory support to government partners formulating innovative initiatives and financing mechnisms to accelerate inclusive and green economic growth. She has also served as a Senior Advisor and Programme Specialist at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), acting as a steering committee member of multi-donor umbrella trust funds with World Bank and IFC, and managing project portfolios aimed towards combating climate change, promoting sustainable energy and livelihoods.

Elin holds a BSc in Biotechnology from University College London, a MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management. With a passion for how technology and industries can be leveraged to accelerate sustainable development, Elin has also pursued studies in Development Economics at London School of Economics and University of Cape Town.