Kelvin is an accomplished Analyst specializing in financial modeling, deal sourcing, and portfolio management.
With a diverse background in entrepreneurial finance across East Africa, Kelvin has been pivotal in advancing early-stage ventures. He has secured over €1.1 million in grants through the DeveloPPP Ventures initiative and guided startups to a 50% deal flow success rate. Kelvin also led financial training for 20 innovators, helping raise KES 48 million through the Research to Commercialization (R2C) program. His expertise extends to financial modeling for projects like agribusiness ERP and fintech solutions.
Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (First Class Honours) from Meru University of Science and Technology. He is a certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA), Equity Research certified by Stotz Investment Research, and FAST Level 1 certified.
Edna Okombo is an Executive Assistant and Administrator with 7+ years of experience managing C-Suite executives and senior-level managers across both private and public sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Marketing, from Kenyatta University.
Throughout her career, Edna has honed her skills in high-level administrative tasks, including executive schedule management, corporate event coordination, and ensuring smooth office operations. She is proficient in facilitating communication between departments, and supporting strategic decision-making processes.
Areas of Expertise: Executive Calendar Management, Travel Coordination, Event Planning, Office Administration Stakeholder Management
Connect with Edna on LinkedIn: Edna Okombo
Follow her on Twitter: @EdnaOkombo
Daisy Karanja is an accomplished finance professional with over eight years of experience in financial management, accounting, and business strategy.
Stacy Makau is a dynamic Analyst with expertise in financial and economic analysis as well as market strategy. She has played a pivotal role in delivering in-depth research and actionable insights that inform investment decisions and shape market intelligence.
Specializing in financial modeling and sector analysis, Stacy excels at identifying opportunities and providing strategic guidance. Stacy has successfully managed projects that involve intricate financial evaluations, preparing detailed reports for investors, and offering strategic advisory for portfolio optimization.
Stacy holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from United States International University – Africa.
In a transaction that took nearly a year, Invhestia Africa Limited supported Acorn holdings in securing funding commitment amounting to USD 180 million from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). DFC is a development finance institution and agency of the United States federal government which partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. This funding is expected to unlock over $380 million equivalent KES financing arranged by Stanbic Bank Kenya and additional $315 million equivalent KES financing from Kenyan pension funds and asset managers, the total funding will amount to USD 695 million.
Background to the transaction
Acorn Holdings Limited is a premier developer, operator, and asset manager of rental housing in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over two decades of experience. They focus on creating like-minded communities that ensure the longevity of rental yielding real assets across generations. Acorn holds these assets in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which allow them to aggregate their own capital with that of third parties and apply an active owner/operator approach to fuel growth in their business.
Acorn’s projects are recognized for their social and environmental benefits, as they are green buildings certified under the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) EDGE certification system. Their developments are strategically located near major universities, contributing to Kenya’s affordable housing goals and improving student living conditions with modern amenities and resources.
Acorn has an ambitious strategy for growth and development, which requires substantial capital investment to fund ongoing and future projects. The funding structure aims to provide the necessary capital to support Acorn’s development pipeline, manage liquidity, and mitigate foreign exchange risks through a hedging facility. This funding is essential for Acorn to sustain its development activities, stabilize existing projects, and continue expanding its portfolio of rental housing assets. It will enable Acorn to meet its financial obligations, support new project acquisitions, and ensure the long-term success of its REIT structures.
InVhestia’s Role in the Transaction | Unlocking Deals
InVhestia has proudly served as Acorn’s financial modeling partner for the past 8 years, supporting both internal and external projects. For this particular transaction, InVhestia was commissioned to develop a comprehensive financial model addressing key aspects of the deal, including:
We dedicated over 1,400 man-hours to this project, encompassing the design and development of the financial model, as well as detailed financial & credit analysis and viability assessment. Our process included extensive sensitivity and scenario analyses to rigorously test the structure. The financial model was developed in accordance with the internationally recognized FAST standard, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
Impact of the transaction
This funding will also help Acorn manage liquidity and mitigate foreign exchange risks through a hedging facility, ensuring stable financial operations and supporting the long-term sustainability of their projects. Additionally, the financing structure includes mechanisms to attract further investment from Kenyan capital markets and domestic pension funds, amplifying the overall impact to $700+ million over the 18-year transaction period. The injection of capital will also create over 50,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, contributing to economic growth and stability in the region.
You can find more information on our role here
DFC’s reporting on the transaction here
MIDA- the transaction adviser reporting here
By Kelvin Mbugua
