Valentine Kipkoech, Investment Associate

“I joined Finnfund’s Investment Analysis team in November 2022. Originally from Kenya, I was looking for an opportunity to deepen my understanding of development finance and impact investing, while also gaining international experience.

Moving to Finland was exciting on both a personal and professional level. I had always wanted to experience the Nordic countries, the snowy landscapes and northern lights which seemed like something out of a fairytale. More importantly, I was ready for the next step in my career and particularly interested in working for a development finance institution, where I could combine investment analysis with a broader development purpose.

In my role at Finnfund, I evaluate potential investments with a particular focus on their financial viability and risk profile. One of the things that has impressed me most is the level of responsibility given to us. In many organisations, it can take years before you are closely involved in key aspects of an investment. At Finnfund, you are trusted with meaningful responsibility from the beginning, encouraged to form your own views and given the opportunity to contribute to investment decisions.

That responsibility has accelerated my professional development. No two investments are quite the same, so there is always something new to learn, whether it is a new sector, country, business model or investment instrument. It keeps the work challenging and intellectually rewarding.

Before joining Finnfund, I worked at KPMG East Africa, where I gained experience working in emerging markets. That background has been valuable in my current role. While every market has its own characteristics, I have found that some of the challenges and opportunities I encountered in East Africa also emerge in other developing markets. This has allowed me to build on my previous experience while expanding my knowledge across new sectors and regions, including Asia and Latin America.

Beyond the professional development opportunities, I particularly appreciate Finnfund’s working culture. The organisation has a low hierarchy, colleagues are approachable, and there is a strong willingness to share knowledge. I work alongside people with extensive international and investment experience and being able to learn from them has been an important part of my own development.

For me, what makes Finnfund a unique place to work is the combination of professional growth and meaningful impact. You are continuously challenged to learn, take responsibility and develop your expertise. At the same time, there is a clear connection between the work you do and investments that aim to contribute to sustainable development. The combination of intellectual challenge, continuous learning and meaningful impact is what makes the work particularly rewarding.”