What this life looks like
You invest in established companies and make them more valuable. Private Equity (PE) Analysts evaluate and execute investments in private companies — typically more mature businesses than venture capital targets — working to improve their performance before exiting at a profit. It is one of the highest-compensated careers in finance globally.
What she actually does
You conduct due diligence on potential portfolio companies, build complex leveraged buyout (LBO) and company valuation models, prepare investment committee memoranda, monitor portfolio company performance, support the implementation of value creation initiatives, and model exit scenarios. You work intensively with small teams on high-stakes transactions.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Pan-African PE Firms | Helios Investment Partners, Carlyle Africa, AfricInvest, Development Partners International (DPI) |
| Development Finance PE | IFC Asset Management, CDC Group Africa, Proparco, Norfund — DFI-linked PE arms |
| Regional PE Firms | Investec PE (SA), Actis Africa, Verod Capital (Nigeria), Adiwale Partners (West Africa) |
| Infrastructure PE | Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), Meridiam Africa, Harith General Partners |
Why it matters in Africa
Private equity investment in Africa has grown dramatically, with funds like Helios Investment Partners, Carlyle Africa, and AfricInvest managing billions of dollars across consumer, financial services, energy, and infrastructure sectors. The opportunity to build African businesses and deliver investor returns while creating jobs is unique.
Your pathway in
- Qualify through investment banking first — most private equity firms hire from IB analyst programmes
- Study Finance, Economics, or Engineering with excellent academic results
- Master LBO and company valuation modelling — these are the core technical skills of PE
- Pursue the CFA qualification and consider an MBA for progression to senior roles
- Build a network within the African private equity ecosystem through AVCA (African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association)
Skills you will need
- LBO and valuation modelling
- Due diligence
- Investment committee presentations
- Portfolio monitoring
- Value creation planning
- Deal sourcing
A woman in this field
Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes
Nigeria
Adesuwa is a trailblazer in African Private Equity. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management, one of the few women-led growth equity funds in West Africa. Before founding Aruwa, she spent over a decade in investment banking and private equity at global firms like J.P. Morgan. She is a vocal advocate for "gender-lens investing," specifically targeting companies that are either female-led or provide essential goods and services to women. In 2025, she was named "Investor Person of the Year" by Private Equity Africa.
Take your first step
- Research AVCA (African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association) — their website at avca-africa.org lists major PE funds active in Africa
- Learn what a Leveraged Buyout (LBO) is — search 'LBO model tutorial' on YouTube and watch one from start to finish
- Read the annual reports of two African PE funds — Helios Investment Partners and AfricInvest both publish accessible investor materials
- Talk to someone working in investment banking or consulting — these are the most common routes into African PE