The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a development institution that finances early and growth-stage businesses to innovate, create jobs, and leverage investments and markets to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

Since 2008, we have invested over US$ 220 million in over 420 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Climate-smart Technologies. We have impacted more than 28 million lives, created over 25,000 jobs, and leveraged over US$ 757 million in matching funds to our portfolio companies.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan and Somalia.

The Role

The objective of the Legal & Compliance Unit is to support AECF’s mission by providing strategic, efficient, and innovative legal services.

AECF is seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to fill the position of Legal Counsel who will be responsible for providing legal support in the legal and compliance function.

This role will report to the Head of Legal & Company Secretary.

Key Responsibilities

Provide legal advisory services to AECF and its stakeholders on all aspects of law and investment portfolio while ensuring proper representation of the organization in all legal matters.
Provide legal support through AECF’s transactions lifecycle by advising on transaction structures, providing deal negotiations support, documentation support, drafting and advising on legal documents including interim agreements while ensuring effective documentation of legal terms and conditions.
Leading in the drafting and negotiation of complex agreements including funding agreements, collateral documents, term sheets, inter-creditor agreements, consortium agreements, transaction advisory agreements, downstream partner agreements, and other consulting and service provider agreements.
Supporting the portfolio and investments teams in structuring and compiling contract documentation to ensure completeness and accuracy and drafting/reviewing information memorandum and legal deal negotiation documents.