Senior Investment Associate, Project Development Fund

• Location: Casablanca, Morocco

Description

Africa50 is a specialist investor in African infrastructure, developing, de-risking and delivering projects to unlock growth across the continent. 

Africa50 has raised over US$1 billion so far from 33 African countries, the African Development Bank, two African Central Banks and Africa’s largest pension fund. Africa50 has an independent investment process and seeks to generate commercial risk adjusted returns for its investments across key infrastructure sectors: Energy (including power generation and related parts of the value chain), Midstream gas, Transportation, ICT, Health infrastructure, Education and Fintech.

Within Project Development, the Transport and ICT vertical focuses on transport, logistics and digital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, urban mobility, e-mobility, logistics platforms, regional corridors, digital connectivity, data centres, telecommunications infrastructure, fibre networks and other ICT-enabled infrastructure, as well as infrastructure asset recycling.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Investment Associate role is to lead the assessment, structuring and execution of Africa50’s project development and investment opportunities, providing commercial and financial judgement to support sound investment decisions. The role is expected to manage transaction workstreams with substantial autonomy, develop and negotiate transaction structures, lead due diligence and stakeholder engagement, and drive selected projects towards investment approval and financial close, while providing guidance to more junior team members.

Principal Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of a strong pipeline of opportunities by anticipating market trends and employing sector/sponsor/country knowledge

• Lead the structuring of project development and equity investments

• Participate and/or lead negotiations with sponsors, lenders, and public authorities

• Lead Africa50’s contribution to the development of projects in the portfolio with a strong focus on achieving bankable projects

• Manage due diligence processes across financial, technical, commercial, legal, and ESG workstreams

• Have a good understanding of project and concession financing and policy issues

• Prepare project-related documents for internal (IC memorandums, briefing notes, board notes, RfP) and external audiences (Ministerial briefing notes, MoUs, Investment proposals)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local/regional/global/infrastructure companies, banking and multilateral partners, and government officials

• Develop a thorough knowledge of the ICT and transport sectors, including market major operators and technologies

• Actively monitor portfolio companies

Candidate Profile 

Required background

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in transport and/or ICT infrastructure project development, investment, project finance, PPP or concession advisory, infrastructure private equity, a DFI, an investment bank, a transport/digital infrastructure operator or developer, or a related institution

• Project and/or Construction management experience

• Advanced proficiency in project finance modelling, with proven experience in building, reviewing, validating, stress-testing, updating, and maintaining complex financial models.

• Proficient in applying key valuation methodologies, including DCF, comparable company, and precedent transaction analyses, supported by sensitivity analysis and market benchmarking.

• Experience in the transport and logistics sector is an advantage.

• Solid understanding of Concession agreements, PPA, EPC, O&M contracts

• Experience in supporting the origination, development and execution of infrastructure and project finance transactions

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, law or another relevant discipline. An MBA, MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification is an advantage

• Awareness of the latest trends and developments in financing infrastructure. Experience in African or other emerging markets is strongly preferred.

Essential Qualities 

• Positive attitude

• Integrity

• Indefatigable work ethic – this role will regularly require late nights/weekends/travel

• Self-starter. High initiative with the ability to manage priorities and work autonomously

• Clarity of thought and action

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Interest in Africa50’s mission, strategy and values

• Strong connection to Africa and intent to have Africa-focused career

• Strong understanding of the power and transport sectors

• Strong understanding of PPP project structuring and project finance

• Strong business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively and identify potential business partners

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in French is a plus.

• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with sponsors, partners and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds; living experience in emerging countries is a plus

• Prior knowledge of African infrastructure and relationships in Africa are a strong plus

Location

The position will be based in Casablanca, Morocco, and will require travel across Africa and internationally as needed.

Application

If you are interested in this position, Click here to apply. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At Africa50, we believe inclusive teams drive stronger and more sustainable impact. We are committed to equal opportunity and fair recruitment practices, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We strive to create a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute and grow.