Associate Investment Director – Project Development

About the role

The Associate Investment Director will originate, lead and execute transport and ICT infrastructure development investments for Africa50’s Project Development Fund, guiding projects from opportunity identification through financial close and transition. Reporting to Investment Directors and senior leadership, the role provides transaction leadership, commercial judgement and builds senior stakeholder relationships across governments, sponsors and investors. Based in Casablanca, the role works within the Transport and ICT vertical to expand Africa50’s pipeline of bankable projects.

Key responsibilities

• Originate, assess and prioritize a pipeline of transport and ICT infrastructure opportunities using sector expertise, country knowledge and market intelligence.
• Lead day‑to‑day development of multiple projects, defining strategy, governance, budget and pathway to bankability.
• Structure complex transactions (PPP, concessions, asset‑recycling), recommending revenue mechanisms, risk allocation and capital structures.
• Direct financial and commercial analysis, oversee project finance models, traffic and demand assessments, tariff and financing plans.
• Manage multidisciplinary due‑diligence (financial, commercial, technical, legal, tax, ESG), appoint external advisers and ensure material risks are mitigated.
• Lead negotiations with governments, public authorities, sponsors, lenders, DFIs and other investors, escalating key issues and securing internal approvals.
• Prepare and present opportunity notes and screening documents for senior decision‑makers.

Required profile

• Proven experience in originating and executing transport or ICT infrastructure investments, preferably within emerging markets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex project development transactions from inception to financial close.
• Strong track record of working with public‑private partnership models, concessions and asset‑recycling arrangements.
• Experience conducting financial modelling, commercial analysis and multi‑disciplinary due‑diligence.
• Ability to build and maintain senior relationships with governments, sponsors, lenders and development finance institutions.
• Excellent commercial judgement and negotiation skills in multi‑stakeholder environments.

Required skills