About
Let's build Africa's energy future together.
I am an Infrastructure Investment Professional with over 15 years of experience originating, structuring, and closing institutional-grade transactions across Africa and emerging markets. My career is defined by the successful deployment of over $1.5 billion in capital across the energy value chain—from large-scale power infrastructure and sovereign green bonds to decentralized renewable platforms.
My expertise sits at the technical-financial interface, specialized in transforming complex development challenges into bankable, ESG-aligned assets. As the former Executive Director at the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency (REA), I directed one of Sub-Saharan Africa's largest distributed energy portfolios, mobilizing $850 million in blended finance and overseeing the execution of 2,000+ infrastructure projects. I have a proven track record of delivering commercial returns (18–22% IRR) while exceeding DFI impact targets, including providing energy access to over 2 million people.
Currently, I serve as a Senior Investment Advisor to a $600M AUM impact fund (DWM) and lead Ángeles Sostenibles, where I provide investment committee leadership and strategic advisory for climate finance mandates. My background as a Shell-scholar Electrical Engineer, combined with a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD, allows me to navigate the entire investment lifecycle—from rigorous technical due diligence and PPP structuring to capital mobilization and portfolio oversight.
I am dedicated to scaling the next generation of African power infrastructure by bridging the gap between institutional capital and sustainable, high-growth energy assets.
"Africa does not have an energy problem — it has a capital allocation problem. The technology exists. The projects exist. What is missing is patient, well-structured finance that understands frontier risk without being paralysed by it."
— Barka Sajou
Expertise
Climate Finance & Blended Capital
Structuring deals that combine concessional, commercial and patient capital. Bridging the gap between DFI mandates and private investor returns.
Energy Infrastructure Investment
Originating and underwriting renewable energy assets across frontier markets. From mini-grids to utility-scale solar.
Off-Grid & Rural Electrification Policy
Designing the regulatory and financing frameworks that make distributed energy bankable, scalable and durable.
Education
2024–2025
INSEAD
Global Executive MBA
International Finance & Emerging Markets Strategy
2024
CFA Institute
Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate
2023
Renewables Academy Germany
Green Energy Finance Specialist
2016–2017
University of Zaragoza
Postgraduate Diploma, Grid Integration & Distributed Renewable Energy
2012–2013
University of Greenwich
MSc Electrical Power Engineering
2003–2009
University of Maiduguri
B.Eng. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Shell Undergraduate National Merit Scholar
Languages
- English — native
- French — intermediate
- Spanish — intermediate
Recognition
- AFSIA Mini-Grid Project of the Year 2023 (Toto Mini-Grid, REA tenure)
- Peer-reviewed co-author in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (Elsevier, 2018)