About AECF Capital

AECF Capital is an investment platform being launched by The AECF, a leading development finance institution with over 18 years of experience deploying catalytic capital to high-impact enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. AECF has supported hundreds of businesses through grant financing, technical assistance, and ecosystem development, unlocking private sector growth in agriculture, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and climate resilience.

AECF Capital complements AECF’s grant-making and technical assistance programs by introducing a dedicated impact investment platform that deploys structured debt, blended finance, and other commercial instruments to scalable SMEs and financial intermediaries. Our mandate is to deliver measurable development impact alongside disciplined financial performance, while institutionalizing catalytic capital and building a sustainable, Africa-based fund management capability.

The role

We are seeking an Investment Analyst to join AECF Capital’s founding team in Nairobi, Kenya. This is an opportunity to help build an investment platform from the ground up, contributing to deal origination, financial modelling, due diligence, credit analysis, transaction execution, and portfolio management across agribusiness and other high-impact SMEs, renewable energy and distributed energy solutions, and financial institutions providing working capital and on-lending to underserved enterprises.

The incumbent will work directly with the Head of Investments and senior members of the investment team to structure transactions, develop investment memos, stress-test financial models, and strengthen risk and impact assessment frameworks. Beyond individual deals, the role includes contributing to the development of internal systems, data discipline, and investment governance processes.

This position is ideal for a highly analytical, commercially minded professional who is mission-aligned and motivated by building something enduring, not simply executing transactions, but shaping the DNA of a new African investment platform.

This role will report to the Head of Investments.

Key responsibilities

Deal sourcing & screening

• Support the identification and screening of investment opportunities aligned with our impact thesis and financial criteria
• Build relationships with intermediaries, accelerators, industry networks, and potential investees
• Conduct initial assessments of business models, market positioning, and growth potential

Financial analysis & due diligence

• Develop detailed financial models to assess investment viability, risk-return profiles, and impact potential
• Support and eventually lead due diligence processes, including financial, operational, legal, and ESG assessments.
• Prepare investment memos and presentations for internal decision-making.

Deal structuring & execution

• Contribute to the structuring of debt instruments, quasi-equity, and blended finance transactions
• Coordinate with legal counsel, consultants, and other advisors during transaction execution
• Support negotiations and preparation of term sheets and investment agreements

Portfolio monitoring & reporting

• Track portfolio company performance against financial and impact KPIs
• Prepare quarterly portfolio reports and flag risks or opportunities proactively
• Support investees with strategic guidance and access to technical assistance where relevant

Platform building

• Help develop investment processes, tools, and templates as we build out the platform
• Contribute to thought leadership (blogs, case studies, presentations) on impact investing in Africa across our thematic areas of focus.
• Participate in industry forums and networks to position the organization as a credible investor

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• CFA Level I (passed) or a professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA) is an advantage
• Demonstrated strength in quantitative analysis, financial modelling, or credit assessment, regardless of academic background, can also be considered.

Experience

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Have CFA Level I or a professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA) will be an advantage.
• Be able to demonstrate strength in quantitative analysis, financial modelling, or credit assessment, regardless of academic background.
• Have 2-3 years of relevant experience in Investment analysis (private equity, venture capital, investment management).
• Have credit/risk analysis (commercial banking, microfinance) skills.
• Have experience in financial advisory or transaction support (advisory, consulting), impact investment, or development finance.
• Have strong financial modeling skills (Excel mastery required).
• Have the ability to read and analyze financial statements, perform ratio analysis, and assess credit risk.
• Be able to understand debt instruments, capital structures, and valuation methodologies, and familiarity with impact measurement frameworks (IRIS+, SDG alignment) will be an added advantage.
• Exhibits strong attention to detail, consistently identifying errors before they escalate into issues.
• Demonstrates clear communication skills, conveying complex financial concepts in plain, accessible language, both verbally and in writing.

Core competencies

• Analytical rigor: You excel at diving into numbers, questioning assumptions, and finding the story in the data
• Ownership mentality: You take initiative, follow through, and don’t need handholding
• Mission alignment: You care about using finance as a tool for positive change