Fintech Frontiers Lead

About the role

Safaricom is looking for a Fintech Frontiers Lead to drive its innovation agenda in Kenya. The role owns key decisions on scouting emerging fintech trends, shaping the innovation strategy, running pilots, building partnerships and integrating new technologies into products, while keeping pace with regulation and risk.

Key responsibilities

• Scout global fintech trends and disruptions, monitor AI, blockchain and open banking, track regulatory developments and provide insights to shape the innovation strategy
• Define the fintech frontier strategy, set priorities and long-term roadmaps, and balance experimentation with commercial viability
• Design and run proofs of concept and pilot programs using agile and rapid prototyping, measure results against KPIs and scale successful pilots into products
• Build relationships with startups, fintechs, technology providers and venture capital networks, and explore co-innovation, investment or acquisition opportunities
• Integrate new technologies into existing platforms, support API and platform development and ensure scalability and performance
• Turn innovation into revenue-generating solutions, develop business cases, define monetization and pricing, support go-to-market and track ROI
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks, assess risks, work with legal, risk and compliance teams, and uphold data privacy and security standards

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Technology, Business, Innovation or a related field (MBA preferred)
• 8-12 years of experience in fintech, banking, innovation or digital transformation roles
• Proven experience in innovation strategy, product incubation or new venture development
• Experience working with fintech startups, ecosystems and partnership models
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving complex innovation programs

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, APIs, open banking and embedded finance
• Solid understanding of financial services regulations, risk and compliance frameworks
• Data analysis, business case development and ROI evaluation
• Stakeholder management, communication and executive influencing