Fellow, Product

Company Description

Aceli Africa is a market catalyst that unlocks private sector lending for agricultural enterprises. Drawing upon new data that explains the credit gap for small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture sector, Aceli offers financial incentives to a marketplace of 50+ commercial banks and innovative finance companies to share in the risk and defray the high transaction costs of lending to agricultural SMEs. 

Since launching in 2020, Aceli has mobilized $500M in lending to 6,000+ agricultural enterprises providing market access for 2.6M smallholder farmers across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With access to finance, agri-SMEs - more than 60% of which are accessing loans for the first time - are growing at an annual rate of 20%+, increasing their purchases from farmers, and creating more jobs. Building on learning to date, Aceli plans to mobilize $2 billion in financing for agri-SMEs and improve livelihoods for 5 million farmers and workers by 2030. 

Job Description

The Product team manages Aceli’s incentive program—our core offering. As a Fellow, you’ll work at the heart of this function, reviewing loan submissions from our lending partners to assess their eligibility for incentive payments.

This is a high-impact, hands-on opportunity for early-career professionals who are analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn. You'll gain:

• Experience reviewing real-world credit and ESG documentation.

• Exposure to agricultural lending practices across East Africa.

• Direct involvement in scaling finance to underserved markets.

Key Responsibilities 

As a key member of the Product team, you will play a vital role in ensuring the integrity and success of our loan program.

Evaluate and Approve Loans  (25%)

You will be responsible for reviewing and assessing loan data submitted by our lending partners. By applying our established guidelines, you will make recommendations on which loans to approve or reject, directly impacting our ability to support deserving agricultural businesses.

Provide Actionable Feedback (25%)

When a loan application requires additional information, compile clear and concise feedback for the lender. Your communication will be crucial in guiding our partners through the process, ensuring we can resolve issues efficiently and move applications forward.

Inform and Advise (25%)

You won't just be reviewing loans—you'll be observing trends. By tracking and sharing your insights with senior team members and other internal stakeholders, you will help inform strategic decisions and improve our incentive programs.

Collaborate and Solve Problems (25%)

You will serve as a resource for internal teams, helping to address any questions or issues raised by our lending partners. You will also provide support on special projects, contributing to the broader goals of Aceli.

Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. 

• Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience

• Analytical Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to quickly review complex documents.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Agility: A quick learner who can manage their time effectively and handle a high volume of work, reviewing up to 10 loans per day.

• Teamwork: A strong collaborator who can work well with peers and other Aceli team members.

• Bonus: A passion for or interest in the agricultural sector is a huge plus.

Additional Information

Aceli is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the role, along with an updated CV by  October 30, 2026. Please note that applications without a Cover Letter will not be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.