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Sawa Energy

Business Development Manager

Sawa Energy

Uganda Full time Administration
Posted: May 19, 2026 4 weeks ago 17 views

Job Description

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SAWA ENERGY – JOB DESCRIPTION

Sawa Energy is a solar energy and energy-efficiency company for commercial and industrial (C&I) clients across Africa. We design, finance, and operate on-site energy systems, enabling businesses to access reliable and cost-effective power with zero upfront investment.
We currently operate across Uganda, Zambia, and Rwanda with a portfolio of over 70 projects and a strong pipeline of new opportunities. Our financing solutions (leases, PPAs, and ESCO models) are backed by international capital and designed to scale.
Uganda is a key growth market for Sawa Energy, with increasing demand for reliable power and a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities. We are now focused on accelerating contract conversion and deployment.
Our mission is high-impact: reducing carbon emissions, creating jobs, expanding energy access, and saving money for businesses in emerging markets. We are targeting a 35 MW C&I solar portfolio across Africa within three years.
Clients include I&M Bank, MTN, Yalelo, Plascon Paint, NBS Television, Wildplaces Africa, and other leading regional businesses. Learn more at www.sawaenergy.com.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a senior, execution-focused, proven deal closer to drive Sawa Energy’s commercial growth in Uganda.
You will own the full deal lifecycle from qualified opportunity to signed contract, managing complex, multi-stakeholder transactions with the same rigor and financial discipline as an SME lending professional.
You will work on transactions typically ranging from $100K to $3M, engaging directly with business owners, C-suite executives, and investment decision-makers.
You will report to the Uganda Country Manager and work closely with Sawa’s Investment and Technical teams to structure, negotiate, and close energy financing agreements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Deal Closing & Commercial Execution
● Own and close a pipeline of qualified commercial solar opportunities — your primary KPI is signed contracts.
● Lead all final-stage negotiations with C-suite executives, boards, and business owners, resolving commercial, technical, and credit objections.
● Structure tailored financing solutions (PPAs, leases) for each client’s specific financial profile, in close coordination with the Investment team.
● Drive contracts to signature with a disciplined, process-driven closing methodology.
Client Relationship Management
● Manage and deepen relationships across multiple stakeholder levels within each client organization: leadership, finance, procurement, and technical.
● Serve as the primary commercial point of contact throughout the deal lifecycle, ensuring alignment and maintaining momentum.
● Anticipate and neutralize blockers early — financial concerns, internal approval delays, technical hesitations.
Commercial Structuring & Financial Analysis
● Analyze client energy consumption data and financial profiles to build compelling commercial cases for solar investment.
● Present detailed financial savings models, proposals, and term sheets that address both the business and credit dimensions of each deal.
● Negotiate pricing, contract terms, and payment structures in line with Sawa Energy’s investment criteria.
Pipeline Management & Reporting
● Maintain rigorous CRM hygiene — every active opportunity tracked, every action logged, every milestone owned.
● Provide regular pipeline reporting to the Country Manager, including deal status, close probability, and risk flags.
● Coordinate due diligence activities, collecting client documentation, and aligning internal teams (technical, legal, investment) in parallel.
Market Intelligence
● Stay current on competitive offerings, energy market trends, and regulatory developments relevant to C&I solar in Uganda.
● Provide market feedback to inform product, pricing, and go-to-market strategy.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Essential
● 4+ years of experience in a commercial role with a proven track record of closing complex, high-value transactions — in solar/energy, SME lending, leasing, infrastructure finance, or similar.
● Deep understanding of non-standard commercial models: PPAs, ESCO contracts, leases, subscription-based infrastructure, or loan products.
● Demonstrated ability to navigate multi-stakeholder deal environments and manage long sales cycles to a successful close.
● Strong financial and credit literacy — comfortable reading financial statements, building business cases, and structuring deals.
● Exceptional negotiation skills, with the ability to hold firm on key terms while keeping relationships intact.
● Highly organized and self-directed — able to independently manage a complex pipeline across multiple active deals simultaneously.
● Experience working in Uganda or East Africa, with an established network of SME or corporate relationships.
Strongly Preferred
● Background in SME or corporate lending, project finance, or energy-as-a-service sales.
● Experience with credit assessment or financial due diligence of business clients.
● Existing relationships with decision-makers in Ugandan corporates, banks, manufacturing, hospitality, or telecoms sectors.
● Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

COMPETENCIES

● Commercial drive with a closer’s mindset — you are not satisfied until the deal is done.
● Entrepreneurial and self-starting — you own your outcomes, not your activities.
● Executive presence and communication — credible and persuasive with C-suite audiences.
● Resilience and adaptability — you navigate ambiguity and setbacks without losing momentum.
● Collaborative — able to coordinate effectively with technical and investment colleagues to unlock deals.

TOOLS & LOGISTICS

● Proficient with CRMs (Pipedrive), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint.
● Must have personal transport; fuel and mileage reimbursed. Regional travel required.

WHY JOIN SAWA ENERGY

● Real deal flow — a strong existing pipeline of qualified opportunities
● Capital ready to deploy — backed by international investors and debt providers
● High-impact role — direct contribution to company growth and deployment
● End-to-end ownership — from structuring to closing
● Performance visibility — your results are clear and recognized
This is a role for someone who wants to operate at the intersection of sales, finance, and infrastructure, and play a key role in scaling a high-growth energy platform in Africa.

About Company

Sawa Energy

Sawa Energy

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Job Overview

  • Job Type: Full time
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Education Level: Bachelors
  • Vacancies: 1
  • Category: Administration
  • Location: Uganda
  • Application: External Website

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