Jonathan Dhlamini
Johannesburg
Summary
Seasoned development finance executive with over 20 years’ experience providing strategic leadership in the origination, structuring, and execution of complex infrastructure and industrial investments across South Africa and the African continent. Proven track record in translating continental development strategy into bankable, high-impact investment portfolios aligned to financial sustainability, industrialisation, and regional value-chain development.
Currently operating at executive and board-facing level within the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), with regular presentations to Deal Development Forum, Credit Committee, and EXCO. Recognised for strategic judgement, commercial acumen, and the ability to balance developmental impact with disciplined risk management. Experienced leader of multi-disciplinary investment teams and trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, DFIs, governments, and private-sector partners across Africa.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Non-Executive Director & Trustee – Kakamas Hydro Community Trust
KAKAMAS HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER (PTY) LTD
Kakamas, Northern Cape
01.2023 - 12.2025
- Serving as Non-Executive Director and Trustee, providing board-level oversight of renewable energy infrastructure asset in Northern Cape.
- Facilitating in quarterly board meetings and strategic deliberations.
- Contributing to governance, fiduciary oversight, risk management, and long-term strategic planning.
- Leading discussions on community needs, trust matters and priorities ensuring sustainable developmental outcomes and stakeholder alignment.
- Guiding governance practices ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and best practices.
Senior Manager / Principal – Infrastructure Finance (South Africa & Rest of Africa)
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (IDC)
07.2022 - 12.2025
- Managing strategic and operational leadership in origination, structuring, and execution of complex, multi-jurisdictional infrastructure investments across Africa, funded through debt and equity instruments.
- Driving key role in advancing IDC’s continental mandate by building robust, high-impact investment pipeline aligned to industrial development, regional integration, and financial sustainability.
- Leading comprehensive financial assessments for infrastructure projects across South Africa and wider Africa - from strategic origination and market assessment through due diligence, structuring, negotiation, approval, and financial close.
- Overseeing strategic input and recommendations at Deal Development Forum, Credit Committee, and EXCO, presenting and defending complex investment proposals and risk assessments.
- Fostering financial credibility, developmental optimisation, and risk discipline across all transactions led by team.
- Overseeing and quality-assured work produced by investment professionals, providing leadership, mentoring, and sign-off accountability.
- Engaging extensively with DFIs, commercial banks, governments, SOEs, and private-sector sponsors across multiple jurisdictions.
- Successfully closed high-profile oil transmission infrastructure transaction in record time, demonstrating execution excellence under strategic urgency.
Senior Investment Officer – Infrastructure Finance (Africa)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
10.2020 - 06.2022
- Led origination, structuring, execution, and post-investment management of infrastructure transactions across African continent, working with sovereigns, SOEs, municipalities, and private-sector sponsors.
- Led multi-disciplinary teams through complex due diligence and approval processes for cross-border transactions.
- Closed landmark transactions including: - Three South African university student accommodation projects totalling 10,500+ beds. - DBSA’s first Social Housing project, expanding access to affordable housing.
- Managed DBSA’s first infrastructure investment in Namibia, advancing regional integration.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships with regional governments, DFIs, and institutional partners.
- Highlights:
Investment Officer – Infrastructure Finance (South Africa & Rest of Africa)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
02.2017 - 09.2020
- Executed project and infrastructure finance transactions across transport, energy, ICT, and social infrastructure sectors.
- Conducted comprehensive financial, commercial, technical, and developmental due diligence.
- Negotiated legal and commercial agreements and oversaw implementation, monitoring, and disbursements.
- Led internal submissions to approval committees and contributed to high-profile aviation infrastructure transaction closed in record time.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop financing strategies that align with organisational goals and regional development priorities.
Project Manager – Public Sector Finance (Coverage & Transacting)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed investment origination, stakeholder engagement, and development of bankable public-sector infrastructure projects.
- Co-piloted Integrated National Energy Bridge Programme, accelerating electricity access to rural communities.
- Piloted Municipal Infrastructure Grant bridge-financing programme, enabling faster delivery of water services to underserved municipalities.
- Key Achievements:
Portfolio Manager – South Africa Operations
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
01.2008 - 12.2014
- Managed portfolio performance monitoring, budgeting, forecasting, and operational reporting for South African finance operations.
- Prepared annual budgets and monthly forecasts.
- Supported balanced scorecard development and performance management.
- Served as member of Operational Risk Committee.
Financial Controller
INVESTEC BANK LTD
03.2004 - 12.2007
Credit Analyst
INVESTEC BANK LTD
02.2004 - 05.2003
Credit Officer
LION OF AFRICA INSURANCE
04.2003 - 01.2002
Education
Master’s Degree - Development Finance & Economics
Stellenbosch University
Cape Town, South AfricaBachelor of Commerce - Finance & Risk Management
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Gauteng, South AfricaPostgraduate Diploma - Project & Programme Management
Cranefield College of Project Management
PretoriaSkills
- Continental Strategy Execution & Portfolio Leadership
- Business Development, Deal Origination & Structuring
- Development Impact & Financial Sustainability
- P&L Mindset, Budgeting & Resource Allocation
- Executive & Board-Level Governance
- Credit, Risk & Investment Committee Engagement
- Stakeholder & Partnership Management (DFIs, Governments, Private Sector)
- People Leadership, Talent Development & Mentoring
- Change Leadership & Institutional Embedding
Certification
- Chartered Development Finance Analyst (CDFA)
- Chartered Director (CD(SA)) – Institute of Directors South Africa
REFERENCES
Available on request
GOVERNANCE, COMMITTEES & EXECUTIVE ENGAGEMENT
- Regular and trusted presenters to Deal Development Forum, Credit Committee, and EXCO (IDC), influencing strategic and investment decisions at executive level.
- Board and fiduciary experience as Non-Executive Director.
- Experienced in executive-level investment appraisal, risk evaluation, and strategic decision-making.
Timeline
Non-Executive Director & Trustee – Kakamas Hydro Community Trust
KAKAMAS HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER (PTY) LTD
01.2023 - 12.2025
Senior Manager / Principal – Infrastructure Finance (South Africa & Rest of Africa)
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (IDC)
07.2022 - 12.2025
Senior Investment Officer – Infrastructure Finance (Africa)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
10.2020 - 06.2022
Investment Officer – Infrastructure Finance (South Africa & Rest of Africa)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
02.2017 - 09.2020
Project Manager – Public Sector Finance (Coverage & Transacting)
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
01.2015 - 01.2017
Portfolio Manager – South Africa Operations
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
01.2008 - 12.2014
Financial Controller
INVESTEC BANK LTD
03.2004 - 12.2007
Credit Analyst
INVESTEC BANK LTD
02.2004 - 05.2003
Credit Officer
LION OF AFRICA INSURANCE
04.2003 - 01.2002
Master’s Degree - Development Finance & Economics
Stellenbosch University
Bachelor of Commerce - Finance & Risk Management
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Postgraduate Diploma - Project & Programme Management
Cranefield College of Project Management