Principal, Technology Investments (PE)

Principal – Technology Sector Investment

Grade Level - Principal

Function - Technology Investments

Reporting To - Chief Investment Officer / Investment Committee

Location - West or East Africa (Lagos, Nairobi, or equivalent hub - negotiable)

Engagement Type - Full-Time, Permanent

Travel - Regular travel across African markets required.

About the Company

Our client is a leading pan-African investment platform managing a diversified portfolio of growth equity and private equity investments across the continent. With a strong track record spanning multiple fund cycles, the firm partners with exceptional management teams to build market-defining businesses across priority sectors including financial services, technology, consumer, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The firm is now establishing a dedicated Technology vertical — a mandate to own the sourcing, execution, and management of investments across the African digital economy. This is a senior hire at the heart of that strategic buildout.

The Opportunity

This is not a generalist investment role with a technology flavour. The Sector Lead – Technology will be the firm’s dedicated expert and authority on African technology investing — responsible for setting the investment thesis, building the pipeline, executing transactions, and creating value across a growing portfolio of technology companies.

The successful candidate will operate at Principal grade, reporting into senior leadership and engaging directly with the Investment Committee. They will build and lead a team of investment professionals and will be expected to represent the firm as a credible, visible voice within the African technology ecosystem.

For the right candidate — someone with deep sector conviction, a strong investment track record, and genuine relationships within the African technology community — this role offers the opportunity to shape an emerging vertical within a platform with the capital, network, and infrastructure to execute at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Strategy

• Lead the development and annual refresh of the firm’s technology sector investment thesis, identifying priority sub-sectors, emerging themes, and target market opportunities.
• Monitor technology trends, business model innovation, and digital transformation dynamics across African markets to maintain a forward-looking investment view.
• Align the technology strategy with the fund’s mandate, return targets, and broader portfolio construction objectives.

Deal Sourcing & Origination

• Lead proprietary deal sourcing across priority technology sub-sectors including enterprise software, fintech, digital platforms, infrastructure technology, and data-driven businesses.
• Build and sustain a high-quality pipeline of ≥20 qualified investment opportunities annually, with at least 5 progressing to advanced diligence or IC review.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with founders, technology executives, venture investors, corporate development teams, DFIs, and sector specialists to deepen deal flow and market intelligence.

Deal Structuring & Execution

• Lead the full transaction process: opportunity screening, financial modelling, valuation, commercial diligence, and investment committee presentation.
• Build and critically review sophisticated financial models including LBO, growth equity, DCF, and scenario/sensitivity analyses.
• Lead commercial, product, and technology diligence in collaboration with management teams, technical advisors, and industry experts.
• Negotiate and structure complex investment terms, working alongside internal stakeholders and external legal, financial, and technical advisors.

Portfolio Management & Value Creation

• Work with portfolio companies to develop and implement value-creation plans including operational scaling, product expansion, go-to-market strategy, and strategic partnerships.
• Monitor portfolio company performance against investment thesis milestones and fund KPIs.
• Serve on the boards of directors of portfolio companies to provide strategic oversight and governance.
• Support at least 2 strategic value-creation initiatives per portfolio company annually.

Exit Strategy

• Develop and execute clear exit strategies to maximise investor returns, targeting ≥2.5x MOIC or ≥20% IRR.
• Lead exit processes including strategic sales, secondary buyouts, and capital market transactions.
• Position portfolio companies for strong valuation outcomes through proactive exit readiness planning.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of investment professionals including analysts, associates, and vice presidents.
• Allocate deal responsibilities, provide structured coaching, and foster a high-performance, collaborative investment culture.

Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership

• Build the firm’s credibility within the African technology ecosystem through visible engagement, sector commentary, and industry participation.
• Present investment opportunities and recommendations to senior leadership and the Investment Committee.
• Cultivate relationships with co-investors, corporate partners, advisors, and sector specialists.

Fundraising & Investor Relations

• Support fundraising by presenting the technology investment strategy and portfolio to prospective limited partners.
• Contribute to investor reporting, portfolio updates, and LP relationship management.

Compliance, ESG & Responsible Investment

• Ensure adherence to investment policies and regulatory requirements across all target markets.
• Integrate ESG considerations, governance standards, and sustainability practices into investment screening, diligence, and portfolio management.

Candidate Requirements

Experience

• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in private equity, growth equity, venture capital, investment banking, or technology-focused investing.
• Demonstrated track record of originating and executing technology investments end-to-end, or advising technology companies on major strategic transactions at a senior level.
• Experience building and reviewing sophisticated financial models: LBO, growth equity, DCF, and scenario analysis.
• Proven ability to lead or co-lead investment committee presentations and manage complex multi-party transaction processes.
• Experience in board-level engagement and portfolio governance.
• Demonstrated people leadership: managing, mentoring, or developing junior investment professionals.

Sector Knowledge

• Deep understanding of African technology markets, digital business models, and innovation ecosystems.
• Familiarity with priority sub-sectors: enterprise software, fintech and digital financial services, digital platforms and marketplaces, infrastructure technology, and data-driven businesses.
• Strong awareness of the African technology investment landscape including key funds, founders, corporates, DFIs, and ecosystem players.

Education

• A strong first degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Advanced qualifications — MBA, CFA, or equivalent professional certification — are a significant advantage.

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