Data Analytics Internship

Ready to put your data skills to work in the renewable energy sector? The CrossBoundary Minigrid Innovation Lab is seeking a talented Data Analytics Intern to help us drive innovation in mini-grids across Africa. Analyze real-world data, develop insightful visualizations, and contribute to solutions that expand energy access. Apply now and be a part of building a sustainable future!

CrossBoundary’s Minigrid Innovation Lab is recruiting a Data Analytics Intern to support the Lab’s data-driven evaluation of prototype innovations.

This is a technical role focused on cleaning, structuring, analyzing, and visualizing large operational datasets from mini-grid sites across Africa. The intern will work closely with the Lab team to translate raw data into actionable insights that inform business model improvements and sector publications.

This is not a traditional advisory or transaction role — it is a hands-on data analytics position embedded within an innovation and R&D environment.

About CrossBoundary Minigrid Innovation Lab

In 2017, CrossBoundary launched the first Mini-Grid Innovation Lab for Africa, a dedicated R&D platform for testing innovations that improve the commercial viability of mini-grids.
Over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. The Lab supports the sector to become more commercially viable by trialing new business model innovations with developers in the field and rigorously evaluating their impact using real operational and financial data.

The Lab has two objectives:

• Improve the unit economics of mini-grids so they can provide more power, to more people, at lower cost
• Build the case for mini-grids so governments, investors, and donors can integrate them into national electrification strategiesThe Lab maintains one of the sector’s most detailed datasets on mini-grid performance and rural customer behavior.

Learn more about the Lab’s activities here.

Responsibilities

• Clean, structure, and analyze large datasets (e.g., smart meter data, site-level operational data, revenue data exports)
• Develop Python scripts to automate recurring data cleaning and aggregation workflows
• Conduct time-series analysis to assess site performance (e.g., consumption growth, uptime, load profiles, revenue trends)
• Support cross-site performance comparisons and prototype impact assessments
• Identify anomalies, trends, and patterns in operational data
• Develop visualizations and dashboards to communicate findings clearly
• Support the preparation of data-driven insights for donor reports, internal memos, and sector publications
• Contribute to strengthening the Lab’s internal data infrastructure and analytical tools

Who you are

• Self-starter who is passionate about creating lasting change in underserved markets
• Takes on new types of work, even without prior experience/direct supervision
• Passionate about using data to improve energy access and climate solutions
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented
• Comfortable working with messy, real-world datasets
• Able to operate independently and manage structured deliverables
• Able to communicate technical findings clearly and succinctly

Required Technical Skills:

• Python (Intermediate to Advanced)
• Strong experience with Pandas (data cleaning, merging, grouping, aggregations)
• Experience with NumPy (numerical computations and array operations)
• Experience handling and analyzing large CSV datasets
• Experience conducting time-series data analysis (resampling, rolling averages, trend analysis)
• Strong data cleaning skills
• Proficiency in Excel (formulas, structured sheets)
• Basic data visualization skills (Matplotlib / Plotly or similar)

Location 
Candidates will join our team in Nairobi, Kenya

About us

CrossBoundary Advisory, part of CrossBoundary Group, is a leading investment advisor focused on unlocking private capital in underserved markets. We have advised US$12+ billion of closed transactions across agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, ICT, infrastructure, and clean power. Our clients include governments, development of finance institutions, foundations, private equity firms, corporates, and research institutions. With 180+ professionals in 20+ offices across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East & North Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Latin America & the Caribbean, we combine local presence with global expertise to structure bankable transactions and scalable programs. Learn more at www.crossboundary.com/advisory.

Why join us?

CrossBoundary is a unique group of people genuinely excited by the opportunity to make a difference in some of the world’s most challenging and exciting renewable energy markets, driven by a mission to unlock capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved regions. Team members come from diverse backgrounds but share several qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.