Business Development Intern

ABOUT EARTHLINK GROUP

EarthLink Group is a Pan-African business expansion firm headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda. We exist to help businesses, African and international enter, establish, and grow across African markets. Our work spans market intelligence, strategic advisory, operational setup, and ongoing management support.With offices in 7 African countries (Rwanda, Senegal, Gabon, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique) and a growing continental footprint, we deliver local expertise, regional networks, and end-to-end expansion support to every client engagement.

As we scale our operations across the continent, we are seeking a young highly motivated Business Development Intern to join our Kigali headquarters. Someone who is not just looking for a job, but eager to take ownership and make their mark in a fast-moving, Pan-African environment.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Business Development Intern will work closely with the EarthLink Group leadership team to identify and pursue new business opportunities, support client acquisition efforts, develop and manage strategic partnerships, and contribute to growing the company's client base across our 7 African markets.

This is not a passive internship. You will be given real responsibilities, meaningful targets, and the room for creativity and innovation. You may be involved in pitching to prospective investors and entrepreneurs looking to expand into Africa, coordinating business tour programs, or identifying new export promotion opportunities. If you thrive under pressure, love challenges, and believe in owning your outcomes, this role is for you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prospect and qualify potential clients entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses seeking to enter or expand across African markets
• Assist in preparing compelling client proposals, pitch decks, concept notes, and service packages tailored to client needs
• Conduct market intelligence and research to identify new sectors, geographies, and expansion opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with prospects, partner institutions, embassies, trade bodies, and industry associations
• Support negotiations and deal-closing processes for new client mandates and representation agreements
• Monitor and report on business development KPIs, client pipeline progress, and outreach activities
• Collaborate with the operations team to ensure smooth handover of closed deals into service delivery
• Represent EarthLink Group at networking events, investor forums, trade fairs, and stakeholder meetings

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Recent Graduate in any of the following:

• Business Administration or Business Management
• Project Management
• Economics or Finance
• Business Information Technology
• Marketing, International Business, or any closely related field

Skills & Competencies:

• High computer literacy you are confident, fast, and self-sufficient with digital tools; technology does not slow you down
• Working knowledge of or genuine readiness to learn ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. Familiarity with tools such as Odoo, SAP, Oracle, or similar is an advantage
• Working knowledge of some design software’s such as Canva, Adobe Express, or any equivalent tool; able to produce professional-quality visuals, presentations, and marketing materials independently
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) at an advanced level
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Written and spoken English required; Kinyarwanda and/or French are an added advantage
• Ability to work independently and take initiative without micromanagement
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Basic understanding of sales, marketing, or customer relationship management

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Beyond qualifications, we are looking for a specific type of person. The ideal candidate is:

• Aggressively growth-oriented you set ambitious targets and pursue them relentlessly
• Ownership-driven you treat your work as your own business, not just a task list
• Proactive and self-starting you bring ideas to the table, not just wait for instructions
• Resilient under pressure setbacks motivate you, not stop you
• Team player with a competitive edge collaborative yet driven to outperform
• Hungry to learn you invest in yourself and apply new knowledge immediately
• Based in Kigali you must be available to work on-site in Kigali

DESIRABLE (NICE TO HAVE)

• Prior internship, attachment, or volunteer experience in a business, trade, or advisory setting
• Knowledge of or interest in Pan-African trade, investment, or regional economic integration (e.g., AfCFTA, EAC, ECOWAS)
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) tools or pipeline tracking
• Familiarity with business registration, market entry processes, or investment facilitation
• Demonstrated track record of initiating or leading projects; academic, community, or professional.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A monthly stipend
• Hands-on exposure to real Pan-African business development 
• Direct mentorship from experienced business leaders with continental networks
• Immersion in a multi-country, multilingual, and fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Opportunity for contract extension or employment based on performance
• Potential exposure to international clients, embassies, government trade bodies, and Pan-African business forums
• Professional references and a certificate of completion upon successful internship

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send your application as package (single pdf document) to info@earthlinkgroup.com with the subject line: 'Application Business Development Intern | [Your Full Name]'. Your application must include all of the following:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)  maximum 2 pages. Your CV MUST include a live, accessible link to your written portfolio of work samples (see below)
• A written portfolio of work samples compile your best work: business proposals/plans, market research reports, pitch decks, project plans, case studies, marketing materials, design samples, or any professional output that showcases your skills. Save your portfolio on Google Drive, GitHub, Notion, a personal website, or any accessible platform, ensure it is publicly viewable (not locked or private), and paste the link directly in your CV. Applications without a portfolio link will not be reviewed
• Copy of your degree certificate

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