Finance Lead

Our client is a trusted provider of alternative clean energy solutions, serving both household and commercials client across Sub-Saharan Africa. They specialise in delivering end-to-end solar solutions through scalable and cost-effective platforms, positioning them as a leading provider of solar home systems and energy services in the region.

Role Summary

Our client is seeking a Finance Lead who is both a seasoned operator and a deal-maker. This person will own the full finance function, day-to-day operations, compliance, and reporting, while also leading our client's debt management and fundraising activities. They will manage a junior Finance Officer and serve as the primary finance interface for the MD, Chairman, banking partners, and development finance institutions. The financial systems and models are already in place; what our client needs is someone who can run them with precision, interpret what they produce, and simultaneously open and close financing relationships that fuel the company's growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and quality-check the full month-end close process, journals, reconciliations, and accruals, ensuring the junior Finance Officer executes to a high standard

• Manage and review back-end settlement processes; ensure all PAYG transactions are reconciled against ANGAZA and bank records daily

• Maintain the dual-currency (NGN/USD) accounting framework, monitoring FX exposure and flagging risks proactively

• Ensure all payment approvals, expense processing, and internal controls are followed without exception

• Manage accounts payable and receivable; ensure no backlogs accumulate

• Read, interpret, and act on daily and weekly system-generated financial reports; the models exist; this role uses them intelligently

• Prepare clear, concise management summaries for the MD and Chairman, flagging variances, risks, and decisions required

• Contribute financial data to the Monday MD dashboard; maintain always-current visibility of our clients' financial position

• Prepare monthly management accounts and present findings to leadership with recommended actions

• Personally manage all existing loan facilities, tracking repayment schedules, covenant compliance, and lender communications

• Lead negotiations on new debt facilities with commercial banks, DFIs, and other lenders, personally sitting across the table and closing terms

• Manage due diligence processes for new borrowing, documentation, financial projections, and lender Q&A

• Monitor and manage covenant compliance across all active facilities; escalate risks to the Chairman before they become issues

• Maintain strong, proactive relationships with all banking partners

• Support the Chairman and MD in identifying and pursuing fundraising opportunities, grants, equity, and debt instruments

• Prepare financial information packages, investment memoranda, and pitch support for DFI and investor meetings

• Lead engagement with DFIs, including REA, NEP, USAID, IFC, and other relevant institutions

• Build and maintain relationships with development finance and impact investing contacts in Nigeria's energy access ecosystem

• Ensure full FIRS compliance: VAT, WHT, and CIT filed accurately and on time

• Manage external auditor relationships; maintain audit-ready documentation at all times

• Oversee PFA pension remittances and all statutory deductions

• Design and enforce robust internal financial controls appropriate for a growing PAYG business

• Directly manage, develop, and quality-check the junior Finance Officer

• Set clear priorities and standards; review work before it is filed or submitted

• Build the finance function's capability as our client grows

Education, Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics

• ACA (ICAN) / ACCA, qualified or minimum part-qualified

• Minimum 6 years of finance experience, including management responsibility

• Has personally negotiated at least one loan facility with a bank or DFI, led it, and did not just support it

• Strong hands-on reconciliation, settlement, and month-end close experience

• Dual-currency (NGN/USD) accounting experience

• FIRS compliance: VAT, WHT, CIT

• IFRS / NGAAP proficiency

• Experience managing or developing junior finance staff

Strongly Preferred

• PAYG solar, off-grid energy, or energy access sector experience

• Familiarity with ANGAZA or similar PAYG platform financial reporting

• DFI engagement track record: REA, NEP, USAID, IFC, or equivalent

• Microfinance, fintech, or last-mile finance background

• Experience in a lean SME environment, not only in large corporates

• Existing relationships with Nigerian banking partners or DFIs