Job Description

At SolarAfrica, we're reshaping the energy future of Africa. As we scale our impact, we seek a visionary Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead our financial strategy, governance, capital raising, and financial transformation. As a key member of the Executive Committee, the CFO will shape decisions that accelerate our growth, strengthen our governance, and enable long-term value creation.



The CFO leads the Finance, Funds, Insurance, and Legal functions, ensuring financial resilience, operational integrity, and alignment with business growth objectives. As custodian of financial governance, the CFO partners closely with the CEO and Board, enabling informed decision-making, disciplined capital allocation, and sustainable scale-up of the Group's commercial and utility portfolios.

Position of the job in the organisation:

The successful candidate will report directly to the CEO

Principal responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement the organisation's financial strategy to support long-term growth and sustainability. Provide financial insight and strategic guidance to the CEO and executive team. Lead corporate finance initiatives, including capital structuring, fundraising, investment appraisal, and M&A activity. Represent the organisation in financial discussions with external stakeholders including investors, lenders, auditors, and regulatory bodies. Champion the use of digital tools, CTL, ERP, BI, and automation to drive financial & business efficiency.

Capital Raising

Lead all equity and debt fundraising efforts, engaging with banks, DFIs, and investors. Structure project finance for solar, storage, and utility-scale projects. Manage investor relations, financial due diligence, and stakeholder reporting.

Financial Management & Oversight

Lead the budgeting, forecasting, consolidations and financial planning processes. Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with accounting standards. Oversee group cash flow, liquidity management, and funding strategy. Be accountable to the board on all financial matters Drive cost-efficiency and financial performance across the organisation.

Legal & Insurance

Provide strategic oversight of all legal matters across the organisation, ensuring that corporate structuring, contracts, commercial agreements, and transactions are robust, lawful, and aligned with business goals. Partner with the in-house Legal team to manage legal risk, support regulatory processes, and ensure effective resolution of legal issues or disputes. Oversee contract lifecycle management across business units, including supplier agreements, investment documents, project development contracts, and funding instruments. Lead the Insurance function, ensuring that appropriate insurance policies are in place to mitigate operational, project-related, and corporate risk exposure. Oversee the evaluation and adequacy of insurance coverage, renewals, claims processes, and relationships with brokers and underwriters. Partner with other Executive Committee members as the Executive Representative point of contact for external legal counsel and insurance service providers, ensuring effective governance and risk coverage across the business.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

Ensure financial, regulatory, and legal compliance across all jurisdictions of operation. Oversee internal controls, audits, and risk management frameworks. Ensure the organisation meets its obligations in terms of corporate governance. Work closely with the business to manage risk exposure and maintain ethical standards.

Systems & Technology

Champion the implementation and optimisation of financial systems, contract management systems and digital tools in finance. Ensure financial reporting and analytics capabilities are fit for purpose and scalable.

LMA - Lead, Manage, and Hold Accountable

Lead a cross-functional financial and governance team, encompassing Group Finance, Legal, Risk, Insurance, and Fundraising. Foster a culture of high performance, ownership, and trust across all functions. Delegate responsibilities clearly and transparently using structured tools (e.g., RACI matrices), ensuring accountability and clarity of execution across departments and overlapping mandates. Support the growth and resilience of the team through structured performance feedback, mentoring, upskilling, and coaching
especially in high-pressure or complex regulatory environments.
Lead by example in demonstrating integrity, transparency, and strategic discipline, while consistently upholding SolarAfrica's core values in all decision-making. Ensure a compliance-first, risk-aware culture across all financial, legal, insurance, and governance activities, supporting both commercial agility and responsible growth. Champion SolarAfrica's EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) management model, ensuring consistent participation in daily huddles, weekly Level 10 (L10) meetings, one-on-ones, and quarterly performance reviews to maintain operational rhythm and alignment. Any other job duties associated with this role

PERSON DESCRIPTION

Experience:

10+ years of proven experience in a senior financial leadership position, ideally within a group or multi-entity environment. Track record of overseeing Finance, Legal, Risk & Governance, Insurance, and Fund Management functions. Demonstrable experience in capital raising. Strong experience in financial strategy, investment evaluation, and M&A. Demonstrated success in leading finance transformation or system implementations (e.g. ERP, BI tools). Experience in managing relationships with lenders, investors, auditors, and regulatory bodies. Familiarity with financial and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, preferably within the African context. Valid driver's license and willing to travel.

Specific attributes:

Strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to link financial insights to business outcomes. Resilient and adaptable leader with a hands-on approach when necessary. Commercially astute, able to balance short-term realities with long-term sustainability. Exceptional communicator who can translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights. Committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, governance, and financial transparency. Skilled in coaching and developing high-performing teams across diverse disciplines.

Desirable attributes:

Experience within the renewable energy, infrastructure, or energy-as-a-service sectors. Understanding corporate governance (e.g., King V) frameworks and integration into financial planning and reporting. Exposure to private equity or fund structures, including performance monitoring and investor reporting. Involvement in large-scale project financing, power purchase agreements (PPAs), or public-private partnerships (PPPs). Familiarity with digital finance innovations, including automation, data analytics, and dashboarding.

What Success Looks Like:

by 3 Months:

I will have aligned SolarAfrica's financial strategy with the company's commercial and sustainability goals. I can identify key financial risks and operational gaps and begin implementing targeted improvements. I understand our 2026 budget. I will build strong relationships with executive stakeholders, investors, and the heads of all financial and governance functions.

by 6 Months:

I will improv the organisation's financial forecasting accuracy and established enhanced cash flow and cost controls. I can deliver comprehensive and insightful financial reporting that guides executive decision-making. I will be leading cohesive, high-performing teams across Finance, Funds, Insurance, Legal, and Risk, with clear KPIs and aligned objectives.

by 12 Months:

I will have cemented a robust finance function that supports SolarAfrica's expansion plans across Africa. I can demonstrate measurable impact through enhanced governance, audit results, and stakeholder confidence. I will be recognised by the CEO and Board as a strategic advisor driving sustainable financial growth and long-term value creation.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.


We are passionate and proud of what we do. We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult. We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together. We are dependable and take accountability * No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.