We’re transforming Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries!

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence for postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in mathematical sciences. The network comprises six AIMS Centres in five countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa). One of these is the AIMS Research and Innovation Centre (AIMS RIC), a research-oriented Centre facilitating high-quality research by creating a world-class environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

Momentum is AIMS’ flagship startup incubation program, designed to assist early-stage ventures founded by African scientists, mathematicians, and technologists. The program operates in two tracks: Track A (Ideation) guides teams from problem validation through customer discovery, solution design, and business model development; Track B (Growth) supports ventures with existing products to scale through go-to-market strategy, fundraising, and investor readiness. Momentum combines structured workshops, hands-on mentorship, and a growing network of investors, industry partners, and technical advisors to build ventures that address pressing challenges across the continent.

This position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and impact.

If you are passionate about supporting startup founders in building and scaling innovative ventures that tackle key challenges in Africa, consider this opportunity:

Business Advisor, Momentum Incubator Program at AIMS!

The Business Advisor will be an embedded, hands-on member of the Momentum Incubator team, tasked with providing direct business advisory assist to incubatee teams, co-delivering workshops, and building the external network of partners, mentors, and investors that the program depends on. This role requires someone who can challenge founders on their business assumptions, connect them with the right resources, and simultaneously build strategic relationships that strengthen the Momentum ecosystem. The Advisor will work closely with program leadership to continuously enhance the incubator’s curriculum, tools, and partnerships.

As an ideal candidate, you are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, with a strong commitment to supporting startups and early-stage businesses to grow and succeed. You possess excellent business advisory and facilitation skills, enabling you to guide entrepreneurs through customer discovery, market validation, business model development, go-to-market strategies, financial planning, and investment readiness. You are confident in challenging assumptions, providing constructive feedback, and helping teams make informed, evidence-based decisions. You are also an effective communicator and coach, capable of preparing entrepreneurs for pitch events, investor engagements, and other opportunities that accelerate business growth.

As a professional, you are a proactive relationship builder with the ability to cultivate partnerships across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including investors, mentors, corporates, development organisations, and other strategic stakeholders. You have strong organisational, analytical, and reporting skills, allowing you to track progress, track performance indicators, and contribute to the continuous improvement of incubation programs. Results-driven and adaptable, you thrive in a dynamic environment, take initiative to detect opportunities and solve challenges, and collaborate effectively across teams to advance AIMS' mission and assist the success of incubated ventures.

This is a full-time contract opportunity based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Do you have what we need?

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, economics, innovation management, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• 3–5 years of experience in at least two of the following: startup advisory, business incubation or acceleration, venture building, management consulting, or entrepreneurship program delivery.
• Demonstrated understanding of the African startup ecosystem, including knowledge of funding and investment landscapes across multiple regions.
• Proven ability to build and oversee professional relationships with diverse stakeholders, including founders, investors, corporate partners, and institutional donors.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to guide workshops, coach founders, and present to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in English. Proficiency in French is highly desirable given AIMS’ Pan-African footprint.
• A self-starter with strong problem-solving skills, a results-oriented mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, and high-accountability environment.
• Passion for the African startup ecosystem and a genuine commitment to supporting founders in building impactful ventures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment with high autonomy and adaptability.

Are you ready to be a part of the transformation?

Submit your letter of motivation (1 page maximum), explaining why you are the right fit for this role and what excites you about the African startup ecosystem, a detailed CV (Maximum 3 pages), and contact details of 2-3 professional references to: momentum@aimsric.org (with the subject line “Business Advisor – Momentum Incubator Application”). Applications will be accepted until June 22, 2026. 

Should no feedback be received from AIMS within five weeks of the deadline, kindly accept that your application will not be further pursued. AIMS RIC reserves the right not to make an appointment at its sole discretion.

AIMS RIC is an equal-opportunity employer. Visit https://www.aimsric.org/to learn more.