Visa appoints ex-Airtel Money Kenya chief as East Africa head
According to Visa, Kinuthia-Otieno will be based in Nairobi, where she will lead the company's efforts to grow digital payments, deepen partnerships with financial institutions and partners, and expand financial inclusion across the region.
Visa has appointed Anne Kinuthia Otieno, a former managing director of Airtel Money Kenya, as Vice President and Head of East Africa. The appointment took place less than a week after she departed from Airtel Money. Kinuthia-Otieno will oversee Visa's operations in seven East African markets, starting on August 4, with her base in Nairobi.
She will focus on expanding digital payments, strengthening partnerships with financial institutions, and promoting financial inclusion across the region. Before joining Airtel Money in August 2021, she held senior roles in the banking sector, including at Absa Group and Barclays Bank. Under her leadership, Airtel Money's market share in Kenya grew from 3.1% in September 2021 to 10.9% by March 2026.
Following her departure, Airtel Money Kenya appointed Bonke Michael as acting managing director. Visa's investment in East Africa includes a $1 billion commitment to support resilient and inclusive economies, along with the opening of its first African data center in Johannesburg and exploration of stablecoin-based settlements. Visa's senior vice president for Southern and Eastern Africa, Michael Berner, expressed enthusiasm over Kinuthia-Otieno's appointment, highlighting her regional expertise and leadership skills as crucial assets for the company's expansion in the region.
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