The Africa Project Finance Program
Building project finance experts for Africa
Kefa Nyakundi
Sharon Mwakugu
Harold Muganda
Ibrahim Kitoo, MCIArb
Eng. Shelter Lotsu Yao
Stephen Mutisya
David Wright
Janet Mulu
Johnson Kilangi
Mungai Munene
Director, Presidential Delivery Unit, Kenya
Eng. Howard M’mayi
Deputy Regional Director, Coast Region- Kenya National Highways Authority
Felix Okwany
Sector Head, Infrastructure – KCB Bank LimitedKefa Nyakundi
Principal Consultant – Africa Risk Management AdvisorsSharon Mwakugu
Infrastructure Consultant
Primah Atugonza
Senior Legal Counsel- African Legal Support Facility
Maina Kanyua
Chairman- Marco Borero Company Limited
Oliver Dundo
Regional Representative for Africa, PPPHealth4All
Qs. David Wambua
Head of Cost & Commercial Management- Synergetic EnergyIbrahim Kitoo, MCIArb
Chief Legal Officer, Projects & Dispute Resolutions- Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plc
Nashon Okowa
Chairman- Association of Construction Managers of KenyaEng. Shelter Lotsu Yao
Managing Director, Gibb West Africa, Kenya
George Ochola
Managing Director – Rige Limited
Phanuel Dianga
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager- Kenya- ACCIONAStephen Mutisya
Contract Manager – CMAS Limited
Mohammad Mustapha Gambo
Manager, Policy, Research & Partnerships- Shelter Afrique
Andy Potter
Business Development Director, EMEA Region- Ansarada TendersDavid Wright
Director, PPP Solutions Limited, London
Sergio Moreno Ramos
Director of Projects, Transmission & Distribution- ACCIONAJanet Mulu
Chief Executive Officer- ImpactDev Africa
Timothy Kipchumba
Developer & Co-Founder- Questworks LimitedJohnson Kilangi
Founder & Chief Executive Officer – Lean Africa Consultants Limited, Kenya
Site visits of ongoing infrastructure projects by the Africa Project Finance Program
The NaMATA Visit
On the 24th of June 2022, some of the participants of the 6th cohort of the Africa Project Finance Progam had the priviledge of meeting the team from the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) led by the Acting Director of Programmes & Project Development, Eng. Michael Njonge at their office in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Authority was established in 2017 through an Executive Order through Legal Notice No.18, with the main mandate of overseeing the establishment of an integrated, efficient, effective and sustainable public transport system within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The expanded metropolitan area is made up of Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos, Murang’a and Nairobi City counties.
The Kampala- Entebbe Expressway site visit
During the visit, the participants were taken through detailed presentations on the construction and operation of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway by senior officials of Egis Company and later joined the Ministry officials to understand the infrastructure project pipeline and the financing strategy of the country.
This was the first trip abroad organized by the Program aimed at understanding the different strategies adopted by countries in Africa to finance, fund, implement and manage infrastructure projects. Additionally, similar trips organized by the Program will aim to learn from some of the successful projects implemented in the continent.
The Nairobi Expressway site visit
The Nairobi Expressway is the largest road project in Kenya procured and financed through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) at a cost of 550 million US dollars. The 27km road managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority is being constructed by Cale Infrastructure Construction Company Limited and the China Road and Bridge Corporation and starts from Mlolongo to Westlands area cutting through the busy Central Business District of Nairobi.
The Kenya National Highways Authority is a state-owned corporation established under the Kenya Roads Act of 2007 that is responsible for the development, rehabilitation, management and maintenance of all national trunk roads comprising of class S, A and B roads.
The Olkaria geothermal projects site visits
Professionals of the Africa Project Finance Program were taken through the Olkaria geothermal projects that are being managed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plc (KenGen).
KenGen is the leading electric power generating company in East Africa with an installed capacity of 1,817.82MW which translates to approximately 65% of the current total market share.
The Suswa HVDC substation project site visit
The candidates undertaking the Africa Project Finance Program were taken through a tour of the Suswa’s 550Kv High Voltage Direct Current substation project that is being constructed and managed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
KETRACO is a state-owned corporation registered under the companies Act whose mandate is to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain the high voltage electricity transmission grid and regional power interconnectors that form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid.
The Thwake Multipurpose Dam site visit
The Thwake Multipurpose Dam is a $400 million project under the Tanaathi Water Services Board that is being implemented by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation of the Republic of Kenya. It is located in the Kitui and Makueni Counties in Kenya, approximately 150km from the capital city of Nairobi.
The project which is funded by the Africa Development Bank and the Government of Kenya is being constructed by the China Gezhouba Group Corporation. It is being implemented to harness the fluctuating flows of the Athi River and the seasonal water from Thwake River.
The Marco Borero Solar Project site visit
Participants of the 3rd Cohort of 2021 of the Africa Project Finance Program undertook a site visit of the Marco Borero Solar Project in Kieni, 50 km from Nyeri town in Nyeri County in Kenya. The power plant is a 1.5MW grid-tied, ground mounted, solar photovoltaic power project that is managed by Marco Borero Company Limited, a private limited liability company incorporated in Kenya. The company which has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Kenya’s energy utility firm Kenya Power completed the construction in 2020 and is awaiting commissioning in December 2021.
Cyprian Bongani Dabengwa, Deputy Financial Director-Financial Services Department,Bulawayo City Council
"Thank you very much for providing us with the excellent training. I appreciate the professional manner in which the training sessions were conducted. You have provided us with invaluable knowledge that will assist us as we plan and manage projects. May the Lord bless you abundantly.”
Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe
"We thank you for successfully delivering a three months practical and impactful training on infrastructure project finance and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to twelve officials of the Bulawayo City Council, Zimbabwe who formed part of the 5th Cohort of the Africa Project Finance Program offered by your firm. With the knowledge acquired, we believe that we are in a much better position now to design, structure and analyze risks in our subsequent infrastructure projects and as well develop a better pipeline of PPP projects in our Council. We commend the Training Faculty Members and the Expert Guest Speakers for taking time to transfer their practical knowledge, skills and nuggets for successful delivery of projects to our team. The key factor for choosing to work with is your in-depth knowledge and expertise in infrastructure project finance and PPPs within the African context and also your ability to supply the training within the means of our budget. We would recommend Lean Africa Consultants Limited and its capacity-building program to other African states and entities looking to bolster the delivery of their infrastructure projects. We look forward to working with you in the future.”
Abraham Durosawo- Head, Financial Advisory, ARM Securities Limited, Nigeria
"The Africa Project Finance program provided me with an opportunity to interact with world class professionals in the practice of Public Private Partnerships, Project and Infrastructure Finance from across the world. Lessons learnt from their decades of experience helped to shape my perspectives about what operational models can work in emerging and frontier markets, especially in Sub Saharan Africa. We had very robust conversations, learning from hands-on expertise of colleagues in the program. Various case study session also opened my mind to the practical aspects of project finance. Walking through the structures and models of ongoing and completed projects from across the continent exposed me to the practical application of the theories of project structuring, cashflow modeling, risk evaluation and mitigation, and the potential pitfalls of project finance transactions."
David Ssemaganda – Business Analyst, International Finance Consultants Limited, Uganda
“The Africa Project Finance Program introduced me to the world of project finance and all the opportunities it presented to Africa's development and to me as a young professional. The classes, especially the practical financial modelling was highly interactive and detailed which gave key insights regarding the practical mechanisms of infrastructure project finance. I am entirely grateful for having been included in this course”
Lucy Njoroge, Financial Analyst, Crowe Infrastructure Africa, Limited, Kenya
“The program enabled me to develop a new found interest and passion in project finance, which ultimately led to a shift in my career path into the industry. This transition was highly influenced by great conversations and interactions of experts in the field who exude such great enthusiasm for the infrastructural sector. Moreover, the combination of both practical and theoretical sessions, gave me a better understanding and appreciation for project finance. The program opens up one's mind into the infrastructural landscape specifically, in Africa and beyond and challenges you to be part of the solution in building a better Africa”
Mary Boyani- Assistant Fund Accountant, Zamara, Kenya
“The Africa Project Financing Program has helped me appreciate and build my capacity to efficiently structure and package projects. The program has a keen interest in building practical skills through the rigorous financial modelling and case studies of projects both successful and unsuccessful. The opportunity to visit project sites allowed me to appreciate and understand the different dynamics, unique challenges faced by each project and the solutions. The Program gave me a platform to interact with experts from the industry across the globe who then helped me understand how different countries are handling project financing and what we can borrow from developed economies.”
Eng. Bekithemba K Moyo Pr. Eng (ECZ), MZweIE (ZIE), MBA(USW), B Eng (Hons) {NUST}
Project Manager, RJK Consulting Engineers & Project Managers, Zimbabwe
“The Africa Project Finance Program has presented to me new concepts which I have overlooked in projects which I have been involved as my background has been mainly on design and supervision of civil structural projects. The concept of project financing has really brought about a new dimension in how I perceive projects not only in the scope of designs and supervisions but in the actual financing of the project which in turn has helped me interact more with other professionals as I seek more understanding. I would like to thank the Training Faculty for presenting the program to me in such a way that even though the concepts of project financing were new to me they made it easier for me to understand the basis of Public Private Partnerships. Finally, I would like to thank all presenters who were invited during the course of the program and the diverse participants of the Cohort 3 of the Program, it was great honour for me to rub shoulders with highly profiled professionals.”
Kindly fill in the form below to download the brochure:
Are you a professional keen to build and enhance your skills
Apply below to join our diverse team of pacesetters in infrastructure financing and development!
Research indicate that that Africa is not attracting adequate investment in infrastructure compared to other developing regions in the world majorly due to scarcity of a pipeline of well packed and structured projects. Unfortunately, the investment in local capacity building in the early-stage planning, financial structuring and risk assessment of critical infrastructure is not commensurate with the ambitious project pipelines lined up by most of the countries.
The Africa Project Finance Training Program is a three months intensive training by Lean Africa Consultants Limited initiated in 2019 that develops and enhances complete set of job ready and practical skills in project finance and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for key professionals involved in the financing and development of infrastructure projects.
The training program is designed for professionals seeking to understand the technical dynamics of large infrastructure projects and build practical knowledge and expertise to manage infrastructure and infrastructure financing facilities. Built on major infrastructure project failures and successes in Africa, the action-based Program comprises of theoretical training, practical case studies, expert guest sessions, candid talks with infrastructure leaders and visits to mega infrastructure projects under construction.
The theoretical component gives the participants an in-depth understanding of the evolution of infrastructure deal as it moves through the pipeline from conception, to structuring, financing and implementation.
Through the Program, we are building a diverse community of pacesetters in the infrastructure space that are keen to revolutionize how Africa conceptualizes, structures, finances and implements infrastructure projects. Our closely knit family of the Program graduates and expert speakers provides an efficient platform for continuous capacity building, networking and knowledge sharing.
Click here to download a detailed Program brochure.
Want to join the program?
Click below to apply:
Cohort 1, 2021
- a) 60 hours classwork
- b) 3 site visits to infrastructure projects in different sectors;
- c) 6 expert speaker sessions by expert leaders in the infrastructure sector;
- d) Case study assignment.
Applicants of the Program should meet the following minimum entry requirements:
- a) The applicant should be above 18 years of age;
- b) The applicant should have graduated from a reputable University in the last 2 years from the date of application.
- c) The applicant should be a holder of a business-related degree. Specialization in Finance or Accounting will be an added advantage.
- d) The applicant should be a holder of a Second-Class Upper degree or above or Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.67.
- e) Proficiency in Microsoft Excel;
- f) The applicant should submit a 1,000-word statement as to why they want to join the Program and how they can use the skills acquired to impact positively on the African continent.
Interested graduates should submit their Curriculum Vitae, copies of academic certificates and a statement as to why they want to join the program to apfp@leanafricaconsultants.co.ke before 1700hrs on 11th December 2020.
Site visits of ongoing infrastructure projects by the Africa Project Finance Program
The Nairobi Expressway site visit
The Nairobi Expressway is the largest road project in Kenya procured and financed through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) at a cost of 550 million US dollars. The 27km road managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority is being constructed by Cale Infrastructure Construction Company Limited and the China Road and Bridge Corporation and starts from Mlolongo to Westlands area cutting through the busy Central Business District of Nairobi.
The Kenya National Highways Authority is a state-owned corporation established under the Kenya Roads Act of 2007 that is responsible for the development, rehabilitation, management and maintenance of all national trunk roads comprising of class S, A and B roads.
Participants undertaking the training program were taken through a detailed briefing of the complex structuring of the project, the financing arrangement and some of the challenges facing the implementation and financing of the project. Later on, the participants toured the different sites of project so as to appreciate the technology being utilized to fast track the project.
The visit was followed by an internal discussion of the project giving the participants a chance to discuss other ways the project could have been structured and how the contracting authority and the Special Purpose Vehicle could address some of the key challenges facing the project.
The visit enabled the participants to explore first hand some of the key issues involved in the structuring, financing and implementation of PPP projects.
The Olkaria geothermal projects site visits
Professionals of the Africa Project Finance Program were taken through the Olkaria geothermal projects that are being managed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plc (KenGen).
KenGen is the leading electric power generating company in East Africa with an installed capacity of 1,817.82MW which translates to approximately 65% of the current total market share.
The professionals were taken through a tour of the well heads and power plants in the Olkaria area and also a detailed presentation of the firm’s strategy to enhance its clean energy generation capacity.
The visit was followed by an internal discussion on the project whose conclusions were submitted to KenGen.
The Suswa HVDC substation project site visit
The candidates undertaking the Africa Project Finance Program were taken through a tour of the Suswa’s 550Kv High Voltage Direct Current substation project that is being constructed and managed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
KETRACO is a state-owned corporation registered under the companies Act whose mandate is to plan, design, construct, own, operate and maintain the high voltage electricity transmission grid and regional power interconnectors that form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid.
The project is part of the 1,045Km 550Kv Kenya- Ethiopia interconnection project with a power transfer capacity of 2,000MW. The line, with 612Km in Kenya originates from Welayta Sodo in Ethiopia and terminates in Suswa in Kenya.
Through the tour, the candidates were able to appreciate the mechanics and dynamics of implementing large transmission line projects and through the interaction with the KETRACO team, they were able to appreciate the challenges facing the implementation of the project and how the team has managed to address them.
The visit was followed by an internal discussion on the project whose conclusions were submitted to KETRACO.
The Thwake Multipurpose Dam site visit
The Thwake Multipurpose Dam is a $400 million project under the Tanaathi Water Services Board that is being implemented by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation of the Republic of Kenya. It is located in the Kitui and Makueni Counties in Kenya, approximately 150km from the capital city of Nairobi.
The project which is funded by the Africa Development Bank and the Government of Kenya is being constructed by the China Gezhouba Group Corporation. It is being implemented to harness the fluctuating flows of the Athi River and the seasonal water from Thwake River.
Once complete, it will supply water for domestic, livestock, irrigation, hydropower and industrial use for Makueni, Machakos and Kitui Counties and the upcoming Konza City.
The objective of the visit was to enable the professionals understand some of the dynamics behind the delivery of the project and also provide a platform for discussion of some of the critical issues around structuring and financing large infrastructure projects.
The Marco Borero Solar Project site visit
Participants of the 3rd Cohort of 2021 of the Africa Project Finance Program undertook a site visit of the Marco Borero Solar Project in Kieni, 50 km from Nyeri town in Nyeri County in Kenya. The power plant is a 1.5MW grid-tied, ground mounted, solar photovoltaic power project that is managed by Marco Borero Company Limited, a private limited liability company incorporated in Kenya. The company which has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Kenya’s energy utility firm Kenya Power completed the construction in 2020 and is awaiting commissioning in December 2021.
The visit provided the participants of the Cohort with a platform to evaluate on a practical scale how the company undertook the project financial structuring and modelling, risk management and understand the challenges of closing long term and sustainable financing for the project.
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Ne summo dictas pertinacia nam. Illum cetero vocent ei vim, case regione signiferumque vim te.
Nashon Okowa
Phanuel Dianga
George Ochola
Ibrahim Kitoo, MCIArb
Qs. David Wambua
Eng. Shelter Lotsu Yao
George Ochola
