Secrets to Structuring Your Deal to Get the Right Investors on Board

Unpack what makes businesses truly investment-ready; matching capital to cash flows.

Effective deal structuring balances risk, preserves control, and ensures your business is resilient enough to scale. This session explores the “capital stack” and how to choose the right mix of debt, equity, and hybrid financing.

We break down the “golden rule” of matching capital to cash flows and explain why the headline price is often less important than the rights and preferences buried in the fine print.

Download session slides

Lessons for African founders

Match capital to cash flow certainty: Requesting debt without the operational cash flow to service it is a grave mistake. Use equity for high-risk growth and debt for predictable, asset-backed needs.
Look beyond the headline valuation: An investor might offer a high price but demand "veto rights" or "liquidation preferences" that cost you more later. Balance the price with operational control.
Clean up your balance sheet early: Competing debt facilities or large shareholder loans signal high risk. Simplify your capital structure to make the business "clean" for new money.
Choose investors based on their mandate: Strategic investors and financial funds have different goals. Do not change your business model just to fit a funder's specific requirements.

Panelist profiles

Sajan Shah Director, Deal Advisory BDO EAST AFRICA

Over a decade of leading numerous high-profile M&A transactions across East Africa across multiple sectors

William Nyaoke Regional Director East Africa NORFUND

Under Norfund, William leads a $1B+ portfolio driving high-impact investments across key sectors

Arnold Akello Vice President KURAMO CAPITAL

Over a decade of experience spanning across investment banking, M&A as well as private equity in Africa and UK

Ravi Sikand Advisor FSD AFRICA

A financial advisor supporting corporate and fund transactions, with a background in manufacturing, energy, climate and agriculture