Company Description
Aceli Africa is a market catalyst that aims to mobilize $2 billion in private-sector lending for agricultural SMEs and improve livelihoods for 5 million farmers and workers by 2030. To achieve this goal, Aceli provides financial incentives to increase the risk appetite of 50 financial institutions to make loans ranging from USD $10K-$1.5M for high-impact agricultural SMEs. Complementary technical assistance builds capacity for lenders and SMEs while data and learning drive engagement with partners to strengthen the policy and regulatory environment.
Since launching in 2020, Aceli has mobilised $400M in lending to SMEs, providing market access for 2M smallholder farmers across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. To date, Aceli Africa has secured US$115M+ in funding from leading bilateral and philanthropic donors, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, IKEA Foundation, Norad, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Aceli is completing an initial five-year phase (2020-25) and positioning for ambitious growth and influence in Phase Two (2026-30). With a donor-funded model and complex multi-country operations, Aceli Africa manages several mechanisms to achieve this objective, including performance-based incentive payments and innovative capital mobilisation strategies.
Job Description
The Product team manages Aceli’s incentive program—our core offering. As a Fellow, you’ll work at the heart of this function, reviewing loan submissions from our lending partners to assess their eligibility for incentive payments.
This is a high-impact, hands-on opportunity for early-career professionals who are analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn. You’ll gain:
- Experience reviewing real-world credit and ESG documentation.
- Exposure to agricultural lending practices across East Africa.
- Direct involvement in scaling finance to underserved markets.
Key Responsibilities
As a key member of the Product team, you will play a vital role in ensuring the integrity and success of our loan program.
- Evaluate and Approve Loans: You will be responsible for reviewing and assessing loan data submitted by our lending partners. By applying our established guidelines, you will make recommendations on which loans to approve or reject, directly impacting our ability to support deserving agricultural businesses.
- Provide Actionable Feedback: When a loan application requires additional information, compile clear and concise feedback for the lender. Your communication will be crucial in guiding our partners through the process, ensuring we can resolve issues efficiently and move applications forward.
- Inform and Advise: You won’t just be reviewing loans—you’ll be observing trends. By tracking and sharing your insights with senior team members and other internal stakeholders, you will help inform strategic decisions and improve our incentive programs.
- Collaborate and Solve Problems: You will serve as a resource for internal teams, helping to address any questions or issues raised by our lending partners. You will also provide support on special projects, contributing to the broader goals of Aceli.
Qualifications
- Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
- Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience.
- Analytical Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to quickly review complex documents.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Agility: A quick learner who can manage their time effectively and handle a high volume of work, reviewing up to 10 loans per day.
- Teamwork: A strong collaborator who can work well with peers and other Aceli team members.
- Bonus: A passion for or interest in the agricultural sector is a huge plus.
Additional Information
You will receive a 12-month contract, fixed monthly stipend, a medical cover, an Aceli-owned laptop, and a supportive environment designed to help you grow.
Aceli is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the role, along with an updated CV by March 26, 2026. Please note that applications without a Cover Letter will not be considered.