Visa has announced the appointment of Anne Kinuthia-Otieno as its new Vice President and Head of East Africa, effective August 4. Based in Nairobi, she will oversee operations across seven East African countries.
Kinuthia-Otieno joins Visa shortly after stepping down as managing director of Airtel Money Kenya, where she significantly grew the company’s mobile money market share. Her new role will focus on expanding digital payment solutions, enhancing partnerships with banks and financial institutions, and advancing financial inclusion initiatives throughout the region.
Proven Leadership in Mobile Money
During her tenure at Airtel Money Kenya, which began in September 2021, Kinuthia-Otieno led efforts that boosted the company’s share of Kenya’s mobile money subscriptions from 3.1% to 10.9%, challenging the dominance of M-PESA. She also spearheaded the expansion of Airtel Money’s agent and merchant networks and upgraded its technological infrastructure.
Before Airtel Money, Kinuthia-Otieno held senior roles in banking, including governance and sales distribution at Absa Group and Barclays Bank, accumulating over a decade of experience in the financial sector.
Strategic Move for Visa’s African Growth
This appointment aligns with Visa’s broader strategy to deepen its presence in Africa. The company is in the fourth year of a $1 billion, five-year investment plan targeting the continent. Initiatives under this plan include establishing its first African data center in Johannesburg and exploring stablecoin-based settlement systems.
Michael Berner, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director for Southern and Eastern Africa, highlighted Kinuthia-Otieno’s expertise in financial inclusion as vital to strengthening collaborations with regional partners and governments.
Kinuthia-Otieno’s contributions to financial services have earned her national recognition, including the Moran of the Burning Spear award from the Kenyan government.
