Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, who recently stepped down as Managing Director of Airtel Money Kenya, has been named Vice President and Head of East Africa at Visa, effective August 4, 2026.
The appointment ends weeks of speculation over her next move after she left Airtel Money in late July without disclosing her destination, saying only that she was beginning a new chapter.
Based in Nairobi, Kinuthia-Otieno will lead Visa’s business across seven East African markets, overseeing efforts to expand digital payments, strengthen client and partner relationships, and advance financial inclusion.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in banking, telecommunications and digital financial services. At Airtel Money, she led a core platform overhaul, expanded the merchant and agent network, and struck a partnership with KCB Bank that opened cash access through more than 22,000 agents nationwide. She previously held senior roles at Absa and Barclays Bank in retail banking, SME banking and risk management.
Michael Berner, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director for Southern and Eastern Africa at Visa, said her regional experience made the appointment timely.
“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,” Berner said.
Kinuthia-Otieno’s move follows a wave of senior executives shifting between mobile money and banking, including former M-Pesa Africa Managing Director Sitoyo Lopokoiyit’s move to Absa Group and former Safaricom executive Michael Mutiga’s appointment at Stanbic Bank Kenya.
She has previously received the Moran of the Burning Spear award from the President of Kenya in recognition of her work in financial inclusion.
“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,” Kinuthia-Otieno said.
Her exit from Airtel Money came as the company posted some of its strongest results yet, with Airtel Africa reporting 31 percent revenue growth for the year ended June 2026 and preparing a London listing for its mobile money business.
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