"I look forward": Ex-Airtel Money MD appointed Visa vice president in 7 nations

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Global payments giant Visa tapped former Airtel Money Kenya CEO Anne Kinuthia-Otieno to lead its East Africa business

- Kinuthia-Otieno will oversee Visa's operations across seven East African markets when she assumes the role on August 4, 2026

- Her appointment follows a notable tenure at Airtel Money, where active mobile money subscriptions rose sharply under her leadership

Visa has appointed Anne Kinuthia-Otieno as vice president and head of East Africa, bringing in the former Airtel Money Kenya chief executive to anchor the payments company's regional growth agenda.

The role takes effect on August 4, 2026, with Kinuthia-Otieno set to oversee Visa's commercial activities across seven East African markets.

Her mandate will cover the expansion of digital payment solutions, the development of partnerships with financial institutions and governments, and the advancement of financial inclusion across the region.

Who is Anne Kinuthia-Otieno?

Kinuthia-Otieno brings more than two decades of experience spanning banking, telecommunications, and digital financial services.

Before her time at Airtel Money, she held senior positions at Absa and Barclays Bank, where her responsibilities included retail and SME banking, product development, distribution, and risk management across multiple African markets.

Her record at Airtel Money stands out most prominently. During her tenure as chief executive, which ran from September 2021 to March 2026, the operator grew its share of active mobile money subscriptions in Kenya from 3.1% to 10.9%, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya.

The company also expanded its merchant and agent networks, secured deeper banking partnerships, and upgraded its core mobile money infrastructure over the same period.

Speaking on her appointment, Kinuthia-Otieno described East Africa as one of the world's most dynamic payments environments.

"East Africa is one of the most dynamic and innovative payments markets in the world, with tremendous opportunities to advance financial inclusion and digital commerce," she said. "I look forward to working with Visa's clients, partners and talented teams across the region to help drive the next phase of growth and innovation."

Visa's Senior Leadership Welcomes the Hire

Michael Berner, senior vice president and regional managing director for Southern and Eastern Africa at Visa, said the timing of the appointment aligns with momentum in the region's digital economy.

"Anne's appointment comes at an exciting time for Visa and for East Africa's digital economy," Berner said. "Her deep understanding of the region, proven leadership experience and passion for financial inclusion will be instrumental as we continue working with clients, partners and governments to expand access to digital payments and economic opportunity."

The appointment arrives at a period of considerable movement within Kenya's digital payments sector.

Kinuthia-Otieno's exit from Airtel Money coincides with Airtel Africa's preparations to list its mobile money business on the London Stock Exchange, a transaction scheduled for the second half of 2026.

Following her departure, the company named Bonke Michael, a long-serving internal executive, as acting managing director to maintain continuity ahead of the planned listing.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.