Expanding Digital Payments Across East Africa

Visa has appointed Anne Kinuthia Otieno, previously managing director of Airtel Money Kenya, to lead its operations across seven East African markets. Her appointment comes less than a week after her departure from the mobile money operator and amid Visa’s ongoing $1 billion investment commitment in Africa.

Based in Nairobi, Kinuthia-Otieno will oversee efforts to grow digital payments, strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, and expand financial inclusion throughout East Africa. This strategic move answers industry speculation following her earlier exit from Airtel Money, which occurred before its parent company’s planned IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

“East Africa represents one of the world’s most dynamic payments markets, offering tremendous potential to advance digital commerce,” Kinuthia-Otieno stated. “I’m eager to collaborate with Visa’s teams and partners to drive innovation and expand access to secure payment solutions.”

Background & Experience

Kinuthia-Otieno brings extensive experience from both the banking and mobile money sectors:

• Over a decade in banking, including leadership roles at Absa Group and Barclays Bank
• At Airtel Money Kenya, she oversaw significant market share gains, increasing subscriptions from 3.1% to 10.9% while M-PESA’s share declined from 96.8% to 89.1%
• Proven track record of driving growth and innovation in competitive markets

Strategic Implications

This appointment signals Visa’s commitment to expanding its presence in Africa beyond traditional card payments. With the continent experiencing rapid digital adoption, particularly through mobile channels, Kinuthia-Otieno’s expertise will be crucial in:

• Developing tailored payment solutions for local market needs
• Partnering with fintech startups and established players
• Addressing regulatory complexities across multiple countries

Visa’s investments in the region include its first African data center in Johannesburg and exploration of stablecoin-based settlements, positioning it to capitalize on emerging trends in digital finance.