Manager Digital Payments

Role purpose

M-Pesa Digital Services, Innovation & Global Payments Manager is responsible for driving the design, development, and commercialization of innovative digital financial products and global payment solutions within the M-Pesa ecosystem. This role combines product strategy, business development, and partnership management to expand M-Pesa’s value proposition beyond core services — including M-Pesa Consumer and Business App, global merchant, aggregator, betting & gaming, digital commerce, bill payments, and lifestyle services.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership

• Impact on the business
• Strengthens M-Pesa’s market leadership by expanding into high-value digital and international payment segments.
• Drives revenue diversification through new digital services and partnerships.
• Enhances customer experience and retention by integrating seamless digital and global payment solutions.
• Positions M-Pesa as a key enabler of digital financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in the DRC.
• Impact on the business
• Strengthens M-Pesa’s market leadership by expanding into high-value digital and international payment segments.
• Drives revenue diversification through new digital services and partnerships.
• Enhances customer experience and retention by integrating seamless digital and global payment solutions.
• Positions M-Pesa as a key enabler of digital financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in the DRC.

Strategy and Innovation

• Develop and execute the strategy for digital services, innovation, and global payments in alignment with M-Pesa’s commercial objectives.
• Identify market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies to drive innovation.
• Lead the conceptualization, prototyping, and launch of new digital financial solutions and lifestyle services.
• Ensure continuous improvement of the M-Pesa App (Consumer & Business) user experience.

Product Management

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of digital services, including product design, business case development, go-to-market, and post-launch optimization.
• Oversee digital payment products such as international money transfer (IMT), online merchant payments, card-linked payments, and biller integrations.
• Collaborate with technology teams to ensure scalable and secure delivery of digital services.
• Monitor product performance and implement corrective actions to achieve revenue and adoption targets.

 Partner and Ecosystem Management

• Identify, onboard, and manage strategic partners such as aggregators, global payment networks, remittance providers, fintechs, and digital merchants.
• Negotiate partnership agreements and ensure alignment with Vodacash commercial and regulatory frameworks.
• Promote OpenAPI usage among external developers, partners, and institutions to enhance ecosystem connectivity.
• Strengthen merchant and partner relationships to increase usage and transaction frequency.

 Business Development and Commercial Performance

• Build business models, pricing strategies, and revenue-sharing frameworks for new services.
• Drive commercial performance through partner enablement, marketing campaigns, and incentive programs.
• Conduct market analysis to identify opportunities for digital growth and product differentiation.
• Support the Head of Commercial in forecasting and budget planning for digital services.

 Leadership, Compliance and Operational Excellence

• Lead cross-departmental initiatives involving Commercial, Technology, Finance, and Customer Operations.
• Represent M-Pesa in internal and external forums focused on digital innovation and payments.
• Mentor and coach junior product and business development team members.
• Ensure that all digital and payment services comply with regulatory, AML/CFT, and data protection requirements.
• Work closely with Risk, Legal, and Compliance teams to maintain operational integrity.
• Implement governance frameworks for partner and API management.

Core competencies, knowledge and experience 

• Strategic Thinking & Innovation – Ability to anticipate market trends and translate insights into strategic opportunities.
• Commercial Acumen – Strong understanding of digital business models and revenue levers.
• Execution Excellence – Proven track record in managing complex projects from concept to launch.
• Partnership Management – Skilled in building and sustaining long-term business relationships.
• Customer Centricity – Deep focus on user experience and service quality.
• Analytical Thinking – Ability to interpret data and derive actionable insights.
• Leadership & Collaboration – Inspiring teamwork and cross-functional engagement.
• Integrity & Compliance Orientation – Ensuring all operations align with company and regulatory standards.

Must have technical / professional qualifications

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or Information Systems.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years in digital financial services, fintech, or mobile money.
• Proven experience in product management, digital payments, or global remittance.
• Experience working with APIs, aggregator integrations, or digital ecosystems.
• Familiarity with card programs (Visa/Mastercard), merchant acquiring, and online payment gateways.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks governing financial services and payments in Africa.

Technical & Business Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen with ability to build business cases and drive P&L performance.
• Excellent stakeholder and partner management skills.
• Strong project management and cross-functional coordination abilities.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in market analysis and performance tracking.
• Deep understanding of digital platforms, customer journeys, and UX principles.
• Fluency in French and English (spoken and written).