Azuma Obinna Email & Phone Number

Lagos State, Nigeria

• Responsible for sustainable development and energy transition, developing plans and strategies for new partnerships and collaborations, with a focus on off-grid and decentralized grid business, addressing energy inequity, and providing access to modern energy services for communities and small businesses. • Worked on I H S power swap project: a $180 million energy transition and decarbonization project to swap the energy sources for over 1970 telecom sites to sustainable cleaner sources using solar PV and smart inverters and battery storage to achieve significant OPEX spend and cut down carbon emission. I developed the commercial strategy and model that compared equipment sourcing options and solutions design to validate the best-fit profitability and efficiency point. This came with the responsibility of building multiple financial models and scenarios, developing a sustainable procurement strategy as well as OEM engagement and selection.• Sustainable Energy Awka Millennium City -Led the concept, strategy development, and sustainability structures for a 968-home multi-nuclei smart city in Southeast Nigeria using clean energy ideas, which involved incorporating a 700kW/h dedicated storage facility to power smart installations. This came with the responsibility of developing cost-benefit structures for off-takers, needs assessment, marketing concepts, and growth opportunities over a 5-year period.• Eriwe, Ijebu ode fishing community off-grid project. Responsible for developing the concept paper, financial and economic impact review, cost-benefit analysis, and project P & L for a 100kw mini-grid plant for West Africa’s largest fishing community resulting in 23% growth in fish production and sales. The lead Idea was to cut down the farm’s carbon footprint, assure food security, and stabilize the market for domestic fish production by reducing key input costs (energy) for feed production and overall cost to market/ Kg of fish.

Lagos State, Nigeria

• Conducted research, business case, and assessment of competitive activities for communities within the Cocoa-producing belt in Western Nigeria toward the development of a summed-up 2mw hybrid plant(s) to enhance processing and packaging. this involved conducting business due diligence processes, creating compelling analyses, concept notes, and clearly-articulated presentations for executive management and board-level stakeholders to aid decisions for developing mini-grids in the focus communities. • Provided commercial advice, concept notes, and financial model for deployment of decentralized hybrid solar energy and storage for developing and operating a sustainable off-grid security architecture for new town resettlement and development in Adamawa and Borno state, which included the integration of smart streetlights, access control, perimeter fencing with intrusion sensors, and HD CCTV cameras.• Led group-wide response to and monitoring of RFQs and similar government/DFI-led project opportunities, including developing financial models and financial analysis for potential projects, partnerships, RFQs, and acquisitions; Led government relations and engagement of local resources with the deep political and social muscle to develop appropriate relationships that lead to bankable greenfield concessions; • Developed and maintained strong relationships with joint development partner(s) World Bank, AFDB, REA, UN, etc, and other strategic partners, including original equipment manufacturers, EPC, and contractors to ensure that the cross-functional teams deliver seamlessly on targets. Contacting key stakeholders and potential clients to establish rapport, arrange meetings, and develop relationships. Planning and overseeing new marketing initiatives. Researching organizations and individuals to identify new opportunities and partnerships.• Preparation of business cases, strategic decision support analyses, and financial planning, often supported by financial models

Lagos State, Nigeria

• Consistently achieved sales and profitability targets month-on-month with gross sales turnover from 16 million in December 2009 to 31 million as of August 2010, gross margin from 23% to 51%, and profit margins from 19.3% to 31.7%.• Designed key product pricing models (product differentiation, bundling, and discrimination) and cost-saving structures using a value chain matrix.• Reopened the firms’ hardwood floor business identifying new clients and markets locally as well as consummated strategic partnerships with two leading architectural firms, which led to increased deal flow.• Developed new product/service lines with the operations team to include glazed doors, UV-finished kitchen cabinets, roof trusses, a children’s line (beds, work tables/chairs, and baby cots), commercial wood drying, and wood processing.• Diversified the firms’ client portfolio, which was slewed towards individuals within the Lagos area, to include other interior/furniture companies, private schools, architectural firms, churches, and various local and state governments

Lagos State, Nigeria

• Advised on the acquisition of Iwopin Paper Mill Ltd from the Nigerian Bureau of Private Enterprises (BPE). Identified alternative uses for the loan facility as well as opportunity cost analysis for the proposed capital expenditure.• Designed the business strategy and financial model for the rejuvenation of the second-largest fertilizer company in Nigeria, recently privatized by BPE at the time.• Strategic planning and development of an information memorandum for an indigenous clothing label with a focus on expansion.• Expansion strategy for a wellness and health center program for a South African-based Nigerian investor group. • Business and penetration strategies for a leading e-payment solutions company.• Crafted a business plan and developed an investment memorandum for a private real estate development company.

Lagos State, Nigeria

• Developed the financial/technical bids and business plan for a hospitality consortium in respect of the concession of Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and National Arts Theatre by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Nigeria.• Buy-side advisory for a leading conglomerate in respect of the acquisition of a publicly quoted glass company.• Financial advisory and penetration strategy – for Nigeria – for a $20 million plant by Chiquita Brands Intl., a leading global fruit company, including valuation analysis and comparable metrics analysis.• Due diligence for a leading Nigerian Bank regarding the proposed acquisition of a Primary Mortgage Institution (PMI).• Packaged hybrid debt/equity financing for an Indigenous hotel brand in respect of a partnership with Holiday Inn brand (Owners of the Intercontinental Hotel chain)• Advised on the setup of “Equatel Nigeria” a new Private Telecoms Operator (PTO) and a subsidiary of Equatel UK. • Financial advisory and proof of concept for a local consortium contemplating a partnership with the owners of “the Carnivore brand” in Kenya

Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

• Developed and managed several relationships which led to incremental business for the bank• Structured a trade/commercial line for an indigenous oil service company to enable them to execute a $53 million well service contract for oil producers Mobil Nigeria and ADDAX Nigeria.• Developed a cost-saving model for a client for a $40 million 2-year contract with Shell Nigeria Petroleum Company (SNEPCO).• Prospecting for new clients, especially corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals, as well as managing existing client relationships• Customer profiling for basic credit analysis and review• Financial Analysis and Budget planning and monitoring

Bonny, Rivers State, Nigeria

• Delivered approximately 60% of retail banking activities in the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Bonny Island facility and participated actively in developing the framework of the NLNG staff cooperative.• Customer relationship management • Deposit mobilization