What this life looks like
You make sense of numbers so organisations can make better decisions. Financial Analysts examine financial data, build models to forecast performance, analyse investments, and produce research that guides strategy. They work in banks, corporations, investment firms, and development organisations — and the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) qualification opens doors globally.
What she actually does
You build financial models in Excel, analyse company financial statements, prepare valuation analyses, write investment research reports, create budget forecasts, monitor actual versus forecast performance, present findings to senior management, and support strategic decisions with quantitative evidence.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Investment Banks | Rand Merchant Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Chapel Hill Denham (Nigeria), Renaissance Capital Africa, EFG Hermes |
| Commercial Banks | Ecobank, Standard Bank, Access Bank, Equity Bank — all have large finance teams |
| Asset Management | Old Mutual Investment Group, Sanlam Investments, FBNQuest AM, Coronation AM (Nigeria) |
| Development Finance | African Development Bank, IFC, PROPARCO, CDC Group — all hire financial analysts |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa's capital markets are growing, foreign direct investment is rising, and African companies are increasingly looking to regional and global capital markets for funding. Financial analysts who understand both African market dynamics and global financial standards are in high demand across banking, asset management, and corporate finance.
Your pathway in
- Study Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Mathematics at university
- Pursue the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation — globally the most respected finance qualification
- Master Excel financial modelling — build three-statement models, DCF valuations, and scenario analyses
- Apply for graduate analyst programmes at banks, asset managers, or consulting firms
- Read the financial press (Financial Times, Bloomberg, The Economist) daily to build market knowledge
Skills you will need
- Financial modelling (Excel)
- Valuation techniques (DCF, comparables)
- Financial statement analysis
- Data visualisation
- Report writing
- Attention to detail
A woman in this field
Aisha Uwais
Nigeria
Aisha is a CFA charterholder and investment analyst who has worked across Nigerian capital markets and development finance. She is a passionate advocate for financial literacy among African women and regularly runs workshops helping women understand how to save, invest, and build wealth. She has spoken at major African finance conferences and written extensively on how to make African capital markets more accessible and inclusive.
Take your first step
- Download a free annual report from a company you know and read through the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
- Learn Excel financial modelling through free tutorials on YouTube — search 'how to build a DCF model in Excel'
- Research the CFA qualification — the CFA Institute offers free study resources and student scholarships
- Follow Bloomberg Africa, Nairametrics, and BusinessDay on social media to build financial market knowledge daily