Business Research Analyst

Role Overview

This is a research and intelligence role focused on the industrial and commercial real estate sector across African markets. You will spend your days investigating companies, sectors, and investment trends to build the evidence base that supports business development, financial modelling, and client-facing proposals. Your work will directly shape how the organisation targets new opportunities, understands competitive dynamics, and positions itself in frontier and growth markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out ongoing research into target industries, high-growth sectors, economic movements, capital flows, manufacturing and logistics expansion, retail growth, data centre development, FMCG and pharmaceutical activity, plus regional investment policies and special economic zone developments.
• Build detailed company profiles covering revenue, ownership structures, geographic presence, existing property footprint, expansion plans, and financial strength.
• Generate qualified leads by constructing and maintaining structured databases of prospective clients, decision makers, and industry stakeholders.
• Prepare recurring intelligence outputs including monthly industry reports, weekly market updates, sector deep-dives, competitor analyses, country investment briefs, client demand reports, and transaction trackers.
• Support the sales and proposal process with prospect briefs, benchmarking data, financial modelling assistance, SEZ intelligence, comparable transaction research, and client meeting preparation.
• Map decision makers within target organisations and keep the mapping current to support outreach and relationship-building.
• Represent the organisation at investment forums, trade missions, industry conferences, and other relevant events.
• Maintain and update market opportunity maps, country opportunity reports, and the central market intelligence database.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Financial Analysis, Mathematics, Physics, Real Estate, Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related discipline.
• 4–7 years of experience in market research, business intelligence, strategy consulting, corporate finance, or commercial real estate research.
• Strong financial modelling skills using Excel or dedicated modelling software.
• Proven experience in B2B market analysis and investment research.
• Knowledge of industrial and commercial property markets across Africa is highly desirable.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with strong commercial awareness and a curious, investigative mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to present findings clearly to senior management in reports and presentations.
• Solid grasp of fundamental finance and economics concepts, paired with rigorous attention to detail.
• Mature, energetic, pragmatic, and flexible approach with sound commercial judgement.