Leslie Nelson: Turning Big Ideas Into Lasting Impact

Leslie Nelson grew up in the UK, the oldest of three boys in a Ghanaian family. His father worked as a civil servant accountant and his mother was a sales executive for a publishing company. “I saw discipline and drive every day at home,” he says. That work ethic shaped him early.

Sport was also a constant. He played football (soccer) and tennis, and held his high school record for the 100-metre high hurdles. “To this day my race opponents insist I got a false start... maybe I did, maybe I didn’t” he jokes with a smile. Sports taught me how to adapt quickly and stay focused under pressure,” Nelson recalls. Today, he still channels that competitive streak on the golf course, where he plays to a single handicap.

Education Across Borders

Nelson has studied in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ghana and the United States and attained a post graduate degree in Business.

“Studying across different countries gave me perspective,” he says. “You learn that business problems—and solutions—look very different depending on where you are.”

Breaking into Finance

In the late 1990s, Nelson began his career in investment banking with Merrill Lynch and UBS. “Those early years were intense,” he says. “But they gave me a solid grounding in how capital moves and how decisions in one financial hub ripple across the world.”

Leadership at General Electric

In the 2000’s, Nelson joined General Electric. He started in New York with GE Capital, working in private equity and leveraged lending. From there, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming CEO of GE Africa’s $1 billion power business and Country CEO for GE in Ghana.

“These roles were pivotal,” Nelson explains. “I wasn’t just managing numbers. I was helping deliver real projects—power plants, healthcare systems, aviation infrastructure. That was capital translated into impact.”

During his time at GE, Nelson oversaw the deployment of more than $1 billion into African projects. He believes this period shaped his belief in linking global capital with local needs.

Taking New Fortress Energy Public

From 2018 to 2020, Nelson served as Managing Director for Africa at New Fortress Energy (NASDAQ: NFE). He also sat on the company’s global management team.

“Being part of the leadership team that took the company public in 2019 was a major milestone,” he says. “It taught me how important it is to build systems, raise capital, sell and investment thesis and develop the confidence to bridge out on my own!”

Founding an Energy Transition Platform

In 2021, Nelson launched his own Africa-focused energy transition platform. Its mission is to expand access to affordable, reliable, and cleaner power. By 2023, the platform had formed a joint venture with one of Africa’s largest private equity investment managers.

“The future of energy in Africa cannot simply copy the West,” Nelson says. “It has to fit the realities of the continent. That means affordability, reliability, and sustainability all working together.”

Giving Back Through Education

Alongside his corporate achievements, Nelson is deeply committed to education. Through the Village of Hope Orphanage in Ghana, he funds the university tuition of 15 students. He also bought laptops for them and provides career support.

“They will graduate in 2026,” he says. “My hope is that they will not just find jobs, but become leaders in their own right.”

He also delivered the keynote address at the University of Ghana’s graduation in 2015. “Standing in front of those students, I wanted them to see that their future was wide open,” he recalls.

Leadership Style and Lessons

Nelson describes his leadership as collaborative and hands-on. “I don’t believe in having all the answers. My role is to help teams see the bigger picture and act with confidence,” he explains.

For him, resilience and loyalty through adversity is key. The ability to see around the corner, anticipate the next trend and not be afraid of taking “big swings” is critical in Africa. Markets shift. Policies change ”but if you can adapt while keeping your purpose clear, you’ll move forward.” Leslie exclaimed.

A Balanced Life

Outside work, Nelson enjoys movies, walking, and spending time with his Family. “Family time keeps me grounded,” he says. “It reminds me of what really matters.”

Closing Thoughts

From his early days on the tennis courts to leading billion-dollar energy projects, Leslie Nelson has always focused on turning big ideas into lasting impact. His career shows how ambition, adaptability, and purpose can connect global capital with real change.

“The world is changing fast,” Nelson says. “Leaders who succeed will be the ones who adapt, cross boundaries, and never forget where they started.”