Join the ecosystem · Curated participation
Three streams. One curated ecosystem.
The Mavens Network for senior specialists. The Vantage Partner Programme for organisations partnering with us across seven categories. Practitioners for those joining the firm directly. Each stream has its own selection, terms, and accountability.
Mavens Network
Sector, regulatory, technical, geographic specialists.
A curated network of senior specialists engaged on a project basis. Banking regulation. Telecommunications licensing. Energy infrastructure economics. Market-specific distribution dynamics. The work calls for depth our internal team does not need to carry full-time.
Participation is by invitation following review. Submitting an expression of interest places you in the review pipeline.
- 15+ years in a specialist domain we engage in.
- Project-based engagement, not retainer.
- Willing to be reviewed before admission.
Vantage Partner Programme · Seven categories
Organisations that participate in client engagements alongside us.
Vantage classifies the seven kinds of organisation that partner with us on client work: by what they bring and how they engage. Four categories accept open expressions of interest. Three are by invitation, originated through delivery relationships and joint work.
01 · Technology Platform
Platform partners powering engagements
Software, data, infrastructure, and tooling providers whose platforms our engagements run on or build into. Integrated commercially and operationally on programmes where the platform is part of the value architecture.
02 · Solution
Ventures & independents that deliver solutions
Operating ventures and independent solution providers we introduce into enterprise client engagements. Distinct from Mavens (individuals): Solution Partners are organisations with standardised offers, paying customers, and demonstrable traction in African markets.
03 · Delivery
Hubs & firms that co-deliver
Innovation hubs, programme operators, and professional firms across African markets that co-deliver engagements alongside us as part of one engagement team. Co-delivery, not subcontract.
04 · Origination
Origination partners with reach into client markets
Organisations whose client base, member network, or sector reach generates qualified demand for the work we do. Origination is a structured commercial relationship, not a finder's-fee arrangement.
05 · Ecosystem
Anchor institutions in markets we work in
Institutions whose mandates shape entire ecosystems: central banks, regulators, sector apex bodies, sovereign development institutions. Engagement is initiated through our Innovation Partnership and Capability Transfer service lines and formalised over time. There is no application route.
Originated through engagement, not through expression of interest.
06 · Champion
Senior figures who open doors
Individuals (board chairs, former regulators, sector elders) whose endorsement opens specific institutional doors at specific moments. Engagement is light-touch, episodic, and personal. Champion relationships originate through long-standing professional history.
Originated through professional relationship.
07 · Strategic Alliance
Peer firms in standing co-advisory relationships
Other independent firms (strategy, advisory, capital) with whom we hold standing co-advisory relationships on specific kinds of engagement. Alliances are formal, named, and bilateral. Sankofa Lab is one such Strategic Alliance among several.
Originated through bilateral firm relationship.
Category · …
Tell us about your organisation.
Submitting this form opens a working conversation. We review on a rolling basis and respond directly. Selection criteria differ by category; a member of our partnerships team will tell you what we look for and what comes next.
Practitioners
Strategists, analysts, designers, builders.
A senior team is the model. We hire deliberately and infrequently. The work is rigorous, sustained, and the standard of finished output is high.
If we are not currently hiring for a role that fits you, we keep your profile on file and contact you when we are.