Executive capacity, without the full‑time hire.
El‑Shebah is a Chartered Accountant and exco‑level executive with over 15 years across structured finance, investment banking, Investor Relations and strategic partnerships in Sub‑Saharan Africa. She has sat on both sides of the table: as the lender and dealmaker assessing a business, and as the executive inside a high‑growth, founder‑led company building the functions being assessed.
Fit‑for‑purpose engagement.
Fractional CFO and finance leadership
For growth‑stage and mid‑market businesses that need executive finance capability without the overhead of a full‑time hire: building the reporting, governance and investor infrastructure that lets a leadership team operate with clarity and raise capital or optimise capital structure with confidence.
Chief of Staff, IR and Partnerships
For founders and chief executives who need senior capacity beside them rather than another adviser at a distance: creating an Investor Relations function ahead of a raise, building and negotiating a partnerships pipeline, or acting as Chief of Staff on the operating infrastructure that turns strategy into delivery.
A unique skillset.
A rare dual vantage point
Having sat on both sides of the table as a transactor diligencing and structuring deals for private equity funds, and as an exco operator building Investor Relations and strategic partnerships capability inside a pre‑listing growth‑phase digital bank.
Exco level operating credibility
Having built an Investor Relations function at Tyme Group from scratch, and led the Partnerships and Planning portfolio on the TymeBank (now GoTyme) exco: pipeline, complex negotiation and the commercial performance of strategic relationships.
Deep pan‑African deal experience
Having structured lending deals across Kenya, Tanzania, the DRC, Nigeria, Uganda and Southern Africa, spanning telecoms, financial services, healthcare, education, consumer, real estate and agri‑processing.
Board and investor fluency
For board packs, investor materials and correspondence, and management reporting. She has the financial rigour and credibility to represent leadership at the highest levels.
Builder capability
Designing the processes, reporting cadences and governance structures that enable leadership teams to operate with clarity and scale.
Built, not presented
A builder of infrastructure rather than a presenter of frameworks. The functions described here are ones she has built herself, inside businesses under real scrutiny.
Where the experience comes from.
Practicalities.
Engagement
Fractional mandates, typically 20–30 hours per week. Retained or project‑based. Commercial terms discussed directly.
Reach
Johannesburg based (SAST, aligned with European hours). Right to work in South Africa and Kenya. Available across Africa and internationally.
Languages
English and Kiswahili fluent. Basic French.
Downloadable quick reference documents.
Two one‑page summaries, depending on which conversation you are having.
Let’s have a conversation.
To find out more about any of the three pillars please get in touch.