How Tanatswa Mhiribidi’s Participation in the Unity Challenge Led to an Internship Placement 

Tanatswa Mhiribidi, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Ashesi University, has begun an internship journey that reflects a deliberate shift from academic preparation in Computer Science into the practical world of investment analysis, infrastructure finance, and commercial advisory.

Her entry into finance as a Computer Science student emerged from her participation in the AL for Professional Services Network Unity Challenge, delivered in partnership with Jetstream. The competition convened young professionals to engage with real-world problem-solving challenges and develop solutions that address the needs of industry stakeholders 

During the challenge, Tanatswa’s engagement with one of the judges, Ope Onibokun, the co-founder of High Stream Investment, evolved into a structured recruitment pathway. What began as an informal professional conversation transitioned into a rigorous selection process, ultimately resulting in an internship placement at Highstream Investments. 

Reflecting on her initial week in the role, Tanatswa described the experience as both demanding and transformational, stating: “To say this experience has pushed me outside my comfort zone would be an understatement.”

Her early exposure at Highstream Investments has provided her with direct insight into core functions within investment and infrastructure advisory. Within a short period, she has engaged with commercial and legal document review processes, infrastructure and renewable energy finance, blended finance frameworks, project finance structures, and financial modelling training. In addition, she has been introduced to the operational, financial, and strategic considerations that underpin real transaction execution and investment decision-making.

She has also been undertaking structured technical development through F1F9 financial modelling and project finance training modules, covering key areas such as cash flow modelling, assumption structuring, and investment analysis. This combination of applied exposure and technical training is reinforcing her understanding of how financial systems are built, evaluated, and applied in real-world infrastructure contexts.

“One thing that has stood out to me is how interconnected everything is. Finance is not just numbers, legal is not just contracts, and strategy is not just ideas,” she shared.

Her reflection implies a critical competency in modern investment environments: the ability to understand cross-functional integration and how legal, financial, and strategic dimensions collectively influence transaction outcomes.

From a capability development perspective, Tanatswa’s transition also highlights the transferability of analytical and problem-solving competencies developed in technical disciplines. As a Computer Science student, her foundation in structured thinking and systems analysis emphasises the importance of professional agility, learning orientation, and initiative in early career development. 

Her journey reinforces the broader value of experiential learning platforms in connecting emerging talent with sectors that require interdisciplinary thinking and applied analytical capability.

As she continues her internship at Highstream Investments, Tanatswa’s aims to further broaden her capabilities and deepen her understanding of the growing convergence between technology, finance, and infrastructure advisory ecosystems.