API & Developer Marketplace Lead

About the role

The API & Developer Marketplace Lead reports to the Chief Financial Services Officer and is responsible for building and scaling the exposure layer of Safaricom’s M‑PESA Financial Services platform. The role defines how fintech capabilities are externalised, monetised, and adopted through modern, secure APIs and a structured developer ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the API strategy that exposes M‑PESA fintech capabilities as commercial assets.
• Productise APIs, manage their lifecycle, versioning, and scalability standards.
• Lead the Developer Marketplace, ensuring a strong developer experience, clear onboarding, documentation, and sandbox environments.
• Establish and govern monetisation frameworks, pricing models, and revenue‑sharing mechanisms aligned with EBITDA targets.
• Collaborate with Product, Growth, Technology, and Commercial teams to avoid duplication and amplify capability.
• Ensure APIs meet DevSecOps, security, compliance, and high‑performance standards within agile delivery squads.
• Align API scalability with the fintech roadmap and new product launches.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading API platforms or developer ecosystems, preferably in fintech or financial services.
• Strong understanding of API productisation, monetisation, and governance.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with product, technology, and commercial stakeholders.
• Leadership experience in agile, DevSecOps‑oriented environments.

Required skills

• API design and management
• DevSecOps principles
• Agile delivery methodologies