During my summer at TLG Capital I worked on several transactions that blended commercial returns with development impact across African markets. TLG is a specialist investor that deploys flexible capital to underserved businesses, with a mission to protect jobs and catalyse inclusive growth. I supported analysis on TransCentury, an East African infrastructure group, where we assessed restructuring and new capital options to stabilise critical power and transport projects. I also worked on Jackfruit, a consumer and agribusiness platform with potential to strengthen local manufacturing and smallholder supply chains, and contributed to a proposal with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to scale private credit solutions across the continent. In each case I evaluated company fundamentals, capital structures, and impact outcomes such as employment, access to infrastructure, and supply‑chain resilience.

The experience drew heavily on my Columbia Business School training. Core finance and private‑equity classes enabled me to build and interpret three‑statement models, run sensitivity analyses, and assess risk–return profiles. Courses on emerging markets, infrastructure, and impact investing helped me analyse country risk, regulatory uncertainty, and link financial performance to real‑economy outcomes. Extracurricular activities like Microlumbia and the Africa Business Club honed my ability to structure investment memos, debate deals, and present recommendations to an investment committee.

Working in frontier markets presented unique challenges. Companies often lacked audited financials and reliable market data, requiring greater reliance on qualitative judgement and triangulation from multiple sources. Balancing the perspectives of existing lenders, new investors, management, and employees demanded strong communication and negotiation skills, especially across different time zones.

This fellowship confirmed my commitment to Africa‑focused impact investing. I saw how relatively modest amounts of well‑structured capital can stabilise companies, preserve jobs, and maintain essential services. I also learned that context, humility, and listening are as important as technical analysis. The experience strengthened my understanding of blended finance and left me eager to continue aligning capital with development outcomes.