Graduate Trainees

Amanda Opara recently obtained an MSc in Law and Finance from the University of Oxford as a Mastercard Foundation and Africa Oxford Initiative Scholar.

Before Oxford, Amanda was a senior associate at G. Elias, a leading Nigerian business law firm, where she led its banking and finance practice and, among others, advised on development financings and impact investments across Africa. She (and her work) has been recognised by several reputable directories such as the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) 1000 and Legal 500.

Amanda is currently an Operations and Impact Administration Fellow in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer at AVPA. Her role involves supporting AVPA’s operational strategy, governance administration, and impact workflows. This will include playing a key part in strengthening AVPA’s internal processes, legal and partnership compliance, and system documentation, as well as contributing research and insights to inform AVPA’s operational scale-up.

Bukola Oloyede is a Legal & Financial Administration Fellow at AVPA and a graduate of the University of Oxford, where she completed a Master’s degree in Law. Her work sits at the intersection of law, finance, and development, with a focus on how sound legal and regulatory frameworks can enable impact investing and financial innovation across Africa.

At Oxford, Bukola served as a Research Associate with the Oxford Sustainable Finance Students Society, where she contributed to projects and discussions on the role of finance in advancing sustainability. She began her professional career as an Associate at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, West Africa’s largest full-service law firm, where she advised on high-value cross-border transactions.

Through the AVPA Fellowship, Bukola is committed to leveraging her legal and financial knowledge to strengthen governance structures, support the effective deployment of impact capital, and contribute to the growth of Africa’s development ecosystem. She earned her first degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and is qualified to practice as a lawyer in Nigeria.

Erick Macharia is a Communications Associate at AVPA. He has a background in Journalism, Mass Communication, and Media Studies. At AVPA, he supports strategic communications across the Pan-African network. Based in Nairobi, Erick leads content creation, digital engagement, and event communications to amplify AVPA’s mission of catalyzing social investment in Africa.

He manages newsletters, social media growth, media outreach, and virtual convenings, ensuring clear and impactful storytelling across AVPA’s regional hubs. Passionate about leveraging communication for social impact, Erick is committed to amplifying African-led solutions that drive sustainable development across the continent.

Fredrick Ochieng Ndege is the Knowledge and Climate Desk Program Associate at the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), specializing in climate finance and business development. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, focusing on advancing climate solutions and sustainable business practices across Africa. At AVPA, Fredrick is instrumental in mobilizing resources, and driving business development for the Climate Desk. His work aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Fredrick’s professional journey includes significant roles that have shaped his expertise in climate and business development. As a Business Development Consultant for Light For the World, he facilitated technical training for agricultural enterprises, and developed business training modules. His experience as a Business Mentor at Practical Action involved promoting the productive use of solar energy for irrigation, developing alternative cooking fuels, and advocating for clean energy policies.

Between 2022 and 2023, Fredrick served as a mentor for the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), where he contributed to advancing gender diversity and leadership in the clean energy sector. His robust understanding of climate challenges and his proactive approach to sustainable development make him a key asset in AVPA’s mission to drive climate action and empower impact actors across Africa.

Inez Wakungwi is a Membership & Partnerships Associate at AVPA, where she contributes to building a new generation of African impact investors. AVPA focuses on mobilizing and deploying capital to scale impactful initiatives across the continent.

Inez’s commitment to social impact and her role in the AVPA demonstrate her dedication to creating positive change in Africa.

Previously, Inez worked at Pangea Accelerator and the Royal United Services Institute. Her expertise lies in impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and fostering sustainable development across Africa.

Jayeola is an impact research analyst at AVPA, she is one of the Mastercard Foundation Associate. She has robust background knowledge on research and leadership.

Jayeola obtained her bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and holds a Diploma in Leadership Development from Covenant University, Nigeria.

She worked with KPMG as a graduate auditor where she gained experience in financial analysis, auditing and compliance. She is a UN volunteer and member of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF).

Rachael is a seasoned public relations professional renowned for her outstanding oral and written communication skills. With a knack for captivating audiences and conveying complex ideas effortlessly, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

Her background includes serving as a Communications Attachee at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and earning a BA(Hons) in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi. Throughout her career, Rachael has consistently demonstrated her ability to articulate ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively.

As a Communications Associate at AVPA, Rachael manages internal and external communications, including social media management, newsletter writing, and supporting all marketing efforts. She aims to use her skills and experience to promote and grow the communications and marketing department of AVPA.

Susan Ngatia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Project Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Data Analytics certification from ALX. She currently works as an Impact Evaluation Associate at the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance, where she develops evaluation frameworks and assesses program impacts.

Susan has previous experience as an Administrator at Bosco General Contractors, a Research Assistant for the Cinch Gender Study, and a Project Manager at Ivolve Construction Company Limited. She is passionate about global project management, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.

Zinhle brings a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of financial processes to the AVPA team. Their role focuses on streamlining financial operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and optimizing workflows to support the organization’s strategic goals. They collaborate closely with various departments to meet financial needs and drive organizational growth. With a solid foundation in finance, they are committed to enhancing efficiency, supporting strategic financial planning, and upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and operational excellence.

Zinhle holds a Certificate in Accounting Science from the University of South Africa and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Science with a focus on financial accounting. Prior to joining AVPA, they served as a Financial Administrator at the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), gaining valuable experience in a membership-based organization and developing key professional skills.