Zaina has a background in the energy and investment space with top tier investment banking on wall street and canary wharf. She then moved back to Kenya, where she was born and raised, to work with Crossboundary as part of their investment team to deploy capital for energy projects across the African continent. On the podcast we explore:

• Her journey into the energy investment space
• The driving force behind her move back to Kenya
• Adapting to the different working cultures between wall street/canary wharf and Nairobi
• Working in large investment banks vs. boutique investment firms
• Attracting more women into the energy and investment space
• Capital raising challenges for energy projects in Africa
• The most important lessons she has learnt throughout her career

Our favourite quote from the podcast:

“There have been challenging moments. Honestly, there were moments when I was ready to step out. Ready to quit and take a different career trajectory.

There is always a voice in your head reminding you that you don’t fit but it’s important to shut that voice and remind yourself of what you bring to the table. ”

— Zaina on challenging moments she has faced being a female in the energy and investment sector