Visa has announced the appointment of John Njoroge as its new Country Manager and Senior Business Development Leader for Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia. The move comes as the global digital payments giant seeks to deepen its footprint in the East Africa region by accelerating financial inclusion and digital payment adoption.
A Strategic Role Across Three Key Markets
In his new position, John Njoroge will be responsible for leading Visa’s strategic growth agenda across the three countries. He will focus on strengthening relationships with clients and stakeholders, driving revenue growth, and expanding Visa’s presence in digital commerce and financial services.
According to Visa, John will lead initiatives that align with the company’s mission to connect more people and businesses to secure and inclusive digital payment systems.
“We are thrilled to welcome John to the Visa East Africa team,” said Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager for East Africa at Visa. “His deep expertise in digital payments, strong leadership skills, and strategic mindset will be invaluable in driving Visa’s mission to expand financial inclusion and digital commerce in Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia.”
Industry Veteran with Over Two Decades of Experience
John Njoroge brings more than 20 years of experience in banking and financial technology. Before joining Visa, he served as Regional Managing Director for East Africa at Network International, where he worked on expanding digital payment services and fostering strategic partnerships.
He is also a former Chairman of the Kenya Credit & Debit Cards Association (KCDCA), an affiliate of the Kenya Bankers Association. During his tenure, John played a critical role in the industry’s migration to Chip & PIN cards from magnetic stripe cards and the rollout of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in Kenya. He also led industry collaboration with the Judiciary to improve legal frameworks around card fraud.
Leading Digital Payment Innovation
John’s appointment signals Visa’s continued focus on driving innovation across its platforms in East Africa. His leadership is expected to shape the strategic direction of Visa’s operations in the region, especially in the rollout of new products and services.
“I am excited to join Visa and contribute to the expansion of digital payments across Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia,” said John. “Visa has been at the forefront of driving financial innovation, and I look forward to collaborating with our clients and stakeholders to introduce secure, seamless, and inclusive payment solutions that benefit businesses and consumers alike.”
Strengthening Visa’s Presence in East Africa
Visa continues to invest in East Africa as a growth region, launching campaigns, partnerships, and infrastructure to support a growing base of consumers and merchants transitioning to digital payments.
In recent months, Visa has actively partnered with retailers such as Carrefour to offer promotions encouraging the use of Visa cards at points of sale and online platforms . The company has also supported SME empowerment programs, such as the She’s Next Kenya initiative, which recognized top women-led businesses in the country .
With John Njoroge’s leadership, Visa is expected to deepen such engagements while exploring new pathways for innovation and collaboration with banks, fintechs, and regulators in the three markets.
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