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Principal Investment Manager – Africa

Position Overview

An investment and advisory firm focused on financing startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the distributed renewable energy sector across Africa is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Principal Investment Manager.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in identifying investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, structuring transactions, executing deals, and managing portfolio companies. The position will also involve supporting the firm's broader investment strategy and contributing to the growth and development of businesses operating within Africa's energy transition sector.

The Principal Investment Manager will report directly to the Partners and will play a key role throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing potential opportunities to portfolio management and value creation.

The role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will require frequent travel across Africa. Travel will be necessary for due diligence, portfolio company support, board meetings, site visits, investor engagement, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Investment Sourcing and Deal Pipeline

The Principal Investment Manager will be responsible for identifying promising investment opportunities across African markets.

Key duties will include:

• Identifying high-potential startups and SMEs operating in the energy transition sector.

• Building relationships with founders, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Identifying businesses operating in areas such as e-mobility, productive use of energy, enabling technologies, mini-grids, commercial and industrial energy solutions, and clean cooking.

• Mapping relevant markets and ecosystems to identify emerging investment opportunities.

• Developing and maintaining a strong and diversified investment pipeline.

• Building relationships with accelerators, incubators, development finance institutions (DFIs), co-investors, and other ecosystem partners.

• Monitoring market developments and identifying companies that align with the firm's investment strategy.

• Assessing potential investments at an early stage and determining whether they warrant further due diligence.

The successful candidate will be expected to take a proactive approach to sourcing rather than relying solely on inbound investment opportunities.

2. Due Diligence

The Principal Investment Manager will lead comprehensive due diligence processes on potential investments.

This will involve assessing:

• The leadership team and founders.

• Business models and revenue generation.

• Unit economics and operating performance.

• Market size and growth potential.

• Competitive positioning.

• Technology and operational capabilities.

• Financial performance and projections.

• Valuation and investment assumptions.

• Potential exit opportunities.

• Key business, financial, operational, and market risks.

The candidate will also coordinate external legal, technical, financial, and other specialist advisors where necessary.

In addition, the role will involve conducting impact and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) due diligence. The successful candidate will identify material environmental and social risks and develop Environmental & Social Action Plans (ESAPs) where required.

3. Investment Structuring and Execution

The Principal Investment Manager will lead the structuring and execution of investment transactions.

Responsibilities will include:

• Determining suitable investment structures based on the company's stage, risk profile, growth prospects, and financing requirements.

• Structuring equity, quasi-equity, convertible debt, and other appropriate investment instruments.

• Preparing investment cases and recommendations.

• Developing and reviewing term sheets.

• Preparing supporting materials for Investment Committee consideration.

• Presenting investment proposals to the Investment Committee.

• Defending investment recommendations and responding to questions from decision-makers.

• Leading negotiations with founders and other transaction stakeholders.

• Coordinating with legal advisors during transaction documentation.

• Supporting the completion and execution of final investment agreements.

• Ensuring governance, reporting, ESG, and other relevant requirements are properly incorporated into transaction documents.

• Managing the transaction process through to financial close.

The candidate will be expected to balance commercial considerations with the firm's impact and investment objectives.

4. Portfolio Management

Following investment, the Principal Investment Manager will monitor and support portfolio companies to help them achieve sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring financial performance.

• Reviewing operational performance.

• Tracking impact and ESG performance.

• Reviewing regular portfolio company reports.

• Participating in board and management meetings.

• Conducting site visits where necessary.

• Identifying emerging business risks and opportunities.

• Working closely with founders and management teams to address challenges.

• Supporting companies with strategic and operational decision-making.

• Identifying opportunities for revenue growth and improved business performance.

• Helping portfolio companies access relevant networks, expertise, partnerships, and financing opportunities.

The successful candidate should be comfortable taking a hands-on approach and working directly with entrepreneurs and management teams.

5. Board and Governance Responsibilities

The Principal Investment Manager may represent the investment firm on the boards or advisory committees of portfolio companies.

This will involve contributing to:

• Strategic planning.

• Financial management.

• Corporate governance.

• Business growth.

• Risk management.

• Performance monitoring.

• Capital allocation.

• Leadership and organizational development.

The candidate should be capable of providing constructive challenge while working collaboratively with founders, management teams, fellow board members, and other stakeholders.

6. Market Development and Investment Strategy

The role will also contribute to the firm's broader market development and investment strategy.

Responsibilities will include:

• Building strong relationships with co-investors and DFIs.

• Developing relationships with growth-stage investors and strategic corporate partners.

• Engaging with investors and ecosystem stakeholders across Africa and Europe.

• Representing the firm at conferences and industry events.

• Participating in investor networking opportunities.

• Strengthening the firm's visibility within the African investment and energy transition ecosystem.

• Conducting sector and market research.

• Monitoring investment trends and emerging technologies.

• Contributing to the refinement of the firm's investment thesis.

• Identifying new sectors, markets, and investment opportunities aligned with the firm's strategy.

7. Fundraising and Investor Relations

The Principal Investment Manager will support fundraising activities as required.

This may include:

• Preparing investor due diligence materials.

• Supporting investor presentations.

• Providing information required during fundraising processes.

• Participating in investor meetings.

• Supporting investor relations activities.

• Providing market intelligence and portfolio information to support fundraising.

• Helping communicate the firm's investment strategy and portfolio performance to prospective and existing investors.

Candidate Profile

Academic Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field.

• Strong academic and professional knowledge of investment analysis and financial markets.

Additional professional qualifications in finance or investment management may be an advantage.

Professional Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• 5–7 years of relevant investment experience.

• Experience in Venture Capital, Private Equity, or Private Debt.

• Strong exposure to African investment markets.

• Previous experience in impact investing is essential.

• Experience working with startups or SMEs.

• Experience in sectors such as energy, agriculture, mobility solutions, climate technology, or related areas.

• Previous experience serving as a Board Member or Board Observer.

• Demonstrated experience supporting portfolio companies with revenue generation and business growth.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have strong skills in:

• Financial modelling.

• Company valuation.

• Investment analysis.

• Market analysis.

• Deal structuring.

• Financial forecasting.

• Investment risk assessment.

• Equity and quasi-equity transactions.

• Convertible debt structures.

• Term sheet negotiation.

• Investment agreement negotiation.

• Corporate governance structures.

Experience with ESG principles and impact measurement frameworks is also required.

Key Skills and Attributes

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

2. Excellent financial and commercial judgment.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

4. Excellent negotiation and relationship-management abilities.

5. Ability to work effectively with founders, investors, advisors, and other stakeholders.

6. Entrepreneurial thinking and a proactive approach.

7. Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.

8. Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

9. High levels of integrity and professionalism.

10. Ability to manage multiple investment processes simultaneously.

11. Strong interest in sustainable development.

12. Genuine motivation to contribute to addressing climate change and energy challenges in Africa.

Language Requirements

Fluency in both English and French is required.

The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will be important when engaging with portfolio companies, investors, development finance institutions, partners, and other stakeholders across different African markets.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Principal Investment Manager will combine strong investment expertise with a practical understanding of entrepreneurship, business growth, and the African market.

The candidate should be comfortable moving between financial analysis, deal negotiations, portfolio support, board responsibilities, investor engagement, and market research.

This is a senior investment role requiring someone who can take ownership of transactions while working closely with the Partners and other members of the investment team.

Candidates should have a strong interest in the energy transition and sustainable development and be motivated by the opportunity to support innovative African businesses addressing critical challenges in energy access, mobility, climate technology, and related sectors.

The successful candidate must also be willing to travel frequently across Africa to support investment activities, conduct due diligence, visit portfolio companies, attend meetings, and represent the firm at relevant industry and investor events.

Application

Go to AltGen on www.altgen.com to apply