Endeavor Energy appoints Jaffar MD

Denham Capital-backed Africa-focused power generation company Endeavor Energy has appointed Syed Jaffar as head of investments managing director.

Jaffar is an energy infrastructure executive with nearly 2 decades of experience in project development, structured finance and private equity across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

He joins from Helios Investment Partners, where he was a senior energy adviser for energy transition.

Jaffar previously spent 8 years at General Electric (GE), including as vice president of energy financial services (GE Capital) for EMEA power & renewables, managing equity investments and project finance for renewables and thermal power investments in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Jaffar told IJGlobal that [Endeavor] “represented a natural and strategic next step in my career. Endeavor has established a reputation for developing and operating high-impact power projects across Africa. I have known both Denham and Endeavor since my time at General Electric, where GE co-developed and invested in the Bridge Power Project – now an Endeavor-owned asset.

“Erik, now chief exec of Endeavor Energy and formerly a senior executive at GE, and I worked closely together and have known each other for nearly a decade. His invitation to join Endeavor as managing director, reflects a shared vision of building Africa’s leading independent power platform rooted in technical excellence and disciplined execution.”

Jaffar has secured more than $1 billion in funding for power and energy transition projects over the course of his career, telling IJ that the experience had shown him that successful capital formation depends on 3 things: "A credible team track record, tailored financial structuring and a deep understanding of local market realities and cashflow dynamics”.

“At Endeavor,” he continued, “this experience translates into developing financing strategies that align investor risk appetite with Africa’s long-term infrastructure needs. Unlike developed markets – where political, regulatory and currency risks are more predictable – emerging markets demand close collaboration with multilaterals, development finance institutions, and specialised private investors, each driven by unique risk-return and impact objectives.

“I intend to leverage this network to broaden Endeavor’s access to blended and strategic capital. Our priorities include strengthening the balance sheet, refinancing legacy assets on more competitive terms, and mobilising new investment for expansion and acquisitions”.

Endeavor has developed 3 baseload power generation assets totalling 450MW across West Africa. When asked what makes baseload power such a compelling opportunity in Africa right now, Jaffar notes that “more than two-thirds of the world’s population without electricity lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the continent’s young and rapidly growing population, demand for reliable, affordable power will only intensify. Energy access is not just a development goal – it is the foundation for industrialisation, economic growth, and a thriving middle class."

He added: “Baseload gas-to-power is one of Africa’s most compelling near-term opportunities because it tackles both energy security and the low-carbon transition. While many markets face shrinking domestic gas output, expensive fuel imports, and unstable grids, LNG offers a scalable, cleaner bridge fuel to anchor renewables.”

In final remarks, Jaffar reflects on his priorities in the role, telling IJ: “My immediate focus has been on portfolio optimisation and financial strengthening – ensuring our existing Ghana and Guinea plants operate at peak efficiency and are positioned for refinancing on better terms. In parallel, we are exploring developing a pipeline of new power projects to diversify Endeavor’s revenue base. Growth will come from strategic partnerships: working with governments, offtakers and financing partners to expand regional generation.

“I also see significant opportunity in repositioning Endeavor as a platform for consolidation – acquiring or co-developing underperforming assets where our operational expertise can unlock value. The broader ambition is to evolve Endeavor into a leading pan-African IPP platform that delivers both commercial returns and measurable development impact.

“While several initiatives are in early-stage development, in Ghana, we are assessing an expansion of our existing footprint. This is consistent with our strategy of developing scalable, efficient power solutions that support regional energy security and industrial growth. As these projects advance toward bankability, we look forward to sharing more details."