Kwabena Owusu-Sarfo
Accra
Summary
Kwabena brings over 10 years of expertise in impact investing, climate finance, enterprise support, management consulting, and financial services. Kwabena has a proven track record in managing youth employment initiatives, driving MSME development, and executing impactful programs for leading development agencies such as Investisseurs & Partenaires, Achmea Foundation, and Solidaridad West Africa. Kwabena excels in fostering strong stakeholder relationships, conducting comprehensive due diligence, and delivering exceptional project management outcomes. Passionate about empowering youth and advancing sustainable economic development, Kwabena has successfully contributed to initiatives across both developing and advanced economies, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Portfolio Manager
Wangara Green Ventures
08.2024 - Current
- Managing a EUR 1.5 million Loan Management Program, sponsored by the Achmea Foundation & Solidaridad West Africa, tailored to providing patient capital and technical assistance to four oil palm companies
- Managed multi-stakeholder projects for Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), including the implementation of the Investisseurs & Partenaires Acceleration in the Sahel (IPAS) program in Ghana (financed by the European Union). Responsibilities encompassed ensuring alignment with local needs, compliance with donor requirements, shortlisting 10 sustainable priority Ghanaian SMEs/start-ups, identifying their technical assistance needs, producing two successful investment memos, and overseeing the disbursement of funds exceeding EUR 100,000.
- Monitoring and reporting on performance of seven (7) portfolio companies operating across diverse sectors, including climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, water management, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly businesses.
- Managing budgeting process, financial forecasting, and statutory reporting for fund reports to the board, investors, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ghana.
- Coordinate the annual audit and tax returns of the Fund, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Manage the Technical Assistance programs and partnerships for six portfolio companies under the GIZ-Ghana SME Impact Investment Support (GSIIS) Project, supporting follow-on investments and their growth strategies
- Oversee fund administration, including capital calls, investment disbursements, collections, and valuation adjustments
- Oversee publication of the Fund’s annual impact report and liaise with the fund accounting service provider to ensure timely and accurate processing of transactions
- Support fundraising activities, investor due diligence, and investor relations
Investment Officer
Wangara Green Ventures
10.2022 - 05.2024
- Conducted eight (8) commercial due diligence for small, growing climate-friendly businesses, analyzing their market position, historical and forecasted financial performance, and environmental impact, including contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while engaging with key stakeholders
- Prepared and presented investment memorandums to secure funding for small, growing climate-friendly businesses in the renewable energy, waste management, and agribusiness sectors
- Monitored the performance of five portfolio companies in the agribusiness, water management, renewable energy, and energy efficiency sectors, providing technical assistance and supporting follow-on investments
- Engaged in deal sourcing activities for small, growing climate-friendly businesses, evaluating financial and market data to prioritize investment leads
- Led a team of analysts in conducting pre-investment analysis and regulatory checks
Portfolio Associate
Wangara Green Ventures
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Conducted organizational assessments, both virtual and in-person, to evaluate partners' implementation capacity and identify gaps for targeted Technical Assistance (TA).
- Collaborated with enabling and implementing partners to design and execute high-impact projects and programs tailored to local contexts, achieving targets and fulfilling contractual deliverables.
- Directed company's capacity-building function, facilitating quarterly virtual and in-person training sessions for MSMEs, start-ups, and internal staff. Training topics included Effective Corporate Governance, Impact Measurement, Capital Raising, Ethics, and Compliance.
- Coordinated with portfolio companies to gather performance data and prepared regular reports for senior management and investors. Additionally, assisted in due diligence for potential investments by conducting financial analysis, market research, impact assessments, and preparing investment memorandums and presentations for investment committee.
Senior Financial Analyst
Deloitte & Touché
06.2017 - 02.2022
- Developed 20+ investment teasers and information memorandum assisting target clients in identifying potential investors; this included successfully executing investment deals between a South African private equity firm and a leading beverage manufacturing company in Ghana
- Consistently provided technical support for over 70 selected SMEs to improve their market access by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and SMEs' ability to improve product quality and sale of goods and services
- Conducted feasibility, macroeconomic, regulatory, and operational assessments for investors; providing analysis of priority areas for investment in key sectors such as agribusiness, transportation, ICT, trade, and manufacturing
- Assisted 50+ clients with financial analysis, value-for-money assignments, and financial models for strategic decision-making
- Led Deloitte financial advisory risk management team, and led the migration of documentation to a cloud platform achieving International Risks Standards Certification for three consecutive years
- Successfully won 10+ bid assignments from Government Ministries and Public Agencies such as Ministry of Finance and Accra Metropolitan Assembly after developing competitive technical and financial proposals
Accounts Assistant
Alliotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors
07.2016 - 09.2016
- Contributed to audit process by preparing over 100 audit schedules and providing supporting documentation for financial statements, reducing audit preparation time by 20%.
- Assisted in preparing payroll for 30 employees across multiple clients, ensuring that 100% of payments were processed accurately and on time.
- Managed client records using accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks), reducing manual errors and improving operational efficiency by 15%.
- Conducted reconciliations for over 30 client accounts on a monthly basis, identifying and resolving discrepancies that resulted in a 98% accuracy rate.
Claims Administrator
Antony Batty & Co. LLP
01.2015 - 06.2016
- Contributed to the processing of claims, resulting in an overall 25% reduction in claim resolution time through better documentation handling and organization.
- Reviewed insurance policies and claims details for 80+ cases, ensuring compliance with company guidelines and identifying areas of improvement.
- Assisted in resolving 95% of client inquiries within the first 24 hours, improving customer satisfaction and reducing follow-up issues.
- Supported senior claims adjusters by reviewing and organizing over 200 claim files, identifying missing documents and ensuring timely completion.
- Coordinated with clients, insurance companies, and third-party vendors, reducing claim processing times by 15% through efficient communication.
Sales & Marketing Executive
The SMART Group
09.2009 - 12.2010
- Assisted in executing promotional campaigns, including email marketing and digital ads, generating 200+ new leads and a 12% conversion rate.
- Fostered strong relationships with clients and partners, contributing to an 85% client retention rate and securing 5 major contracts worth over $X amount.
- Coordinated and participated in 4 trade shows and 2 industry events, generating 150+ potential leads and contributing to a 10% increase in market share in the region.
- Monitored and analyzed the performance of marketing campaigns, using KPIs to adjust strategies, which resulted in a 15% improvement in ROI for digital advertising campaigns.
Education
MBA - Global Business Strategy
Coventry University
United Kingdom05.2014
Bachelor of Business (BB) - International Business
Bond University
Queensland, Australia12.2010
Brisbane Grammar School (Senior Secondary School) -
Brisbane Grammar School
Queensland, AustraliaJunior High Education
International Community School
Addis Ababa, EthiopiaPrimary School
Morning Star School
Accra, GhanaChartered Institute for Investment and Securities and Investments (Level 1) -
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, ACCA (Part II) -
Skills
Managerial
- Portfolio and Fund Management, Capacity building coordination
Sectoral
- Impact Investing, Climate Finance, Market Assessment & Business Development
Soft skills
- Program Partnership & Business Development Support, Project Design and Management, Profit Maximization and Cost Optimization, Excellent verbal & written communicator,
Technical
- Financial Analysis, Deal Advisory, Project Finance, Value for money advisory, Merger and Acquisition (Due diligence and Valuation)
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Twi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)
Timeline
Portfolio Manager
Wangara Green Ventures
08.2024 - Current
Investment Officer
Wangara Green Ventures
10.2022 - 05.2024
Portfolio Associate
Wangara Green Ventures
03.2022 - 09.2022
Senior Financial Analyst
Deloitte & Touché
06.2017 - 02.2022
Accounts Assistant
Alliotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors
07.2016 - 09.2016
Claims Administrator
Antony Batty & Co. LLP
01.2015 - 06.2016
Sales & Marketing Executive
The SMART Group
09.2009 - 12.2010
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, ACCA (Part II) -
MBA - Global Business Strategy
Coventry University
Bachelor of Business (BB) - International Business
Bond University
Brisbane Grammar School (Senior Secondary School) -
Brisbane Grammar School
Junior High Education
International Community School
Primary School
Morning Star School
Chartered Institute for Investment and Securities and Investments (Level 1) -
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