Mr. Alkaff attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, where he obtained a Bachelor degree in Geology; he was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his excellence, then he attended the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Austria, there he obtained a postgraduate degree in Exploration Economics in developing countries. During his career he attended several professional courses and specialised seminars.  He is a member of several international professional Institutes and received several awards and Medallions.

Between 1972 and 1989, Mr Alkaff worked in Aden, rising through a number of positions in Geology and Petroleum administration to attain a position of Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.  In 1989, he was selected to be the Chairman of the Joint Zone at the request of the then the two Presidents of Yemen.

In 1994 Mr. Alkaff Joined Nimir Petroleum Limited (A private E&P Co.) as CEO and at its head offices in London.

Since 2001 till the present; except in 2014 when he was appointed as the Minister of Oil and Minerals of Yemen; Mr Alkaff is working as independent international oil and gas consultant advising governments and IOCs on Natural Resources strategies and developments.

Mr Alkaff has an extensive knowledge of the geology and natural resources in Yemen. He published several papers on these subjects.

While working in Aden Mr. Alkaff negotiated and signed most of the early PSAs that PDRY concluded with IOCs including those in Masilla and East Shabwa Blocks. He also successfully negotiated and concluded a partnership with a consortium of IOCs in the Joint Zone.

Mr. Alkaff acted as Senior Advisor to the National Dialogue Conference Supporting Program on Natural Resources. He addressed the Constitution Drafting Committee, some international conferences and several expert meetings on the subject, as well as, other economic and development issues of Yemen.