
Visa has announced a significant leadership change that will shape the future of digital payments across one of the world’s most dynamic regions. The global payments giant has appointed Tareq Muhmood as Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), positioning an experienced executive to lead operations across more than 86 innovative and fast-growing markets.
Strategic Leadership for High-Growth Markets
Mr. Muhmood brings over three decades of banking and payments expertise to this pivotal role, having most recently served as head of Value-Added Services for Visa’s Europe region based in London. His appointment comes at a crucial time when digital payments are experiencing unprecedented growth across the CEMEA region, with consumers increasingly adopting secure payment technologies and businesses embracing digital transformation.
The new Regional President will oversee Visa’s operations serving more than 1,800 clients from 23 local offices across the region. This extensive network positions Visa to capitalize on the growing demand for digital payment solutions that are driving financial inclusion and economic growth across African markets.
Extensive International Experience
Muhmood’s career trajectory demonstrates deep expertise in diverse financial markets, having worked in 13 countries throughout his professional journey. He originally joined Visa in 2019 as Group Country Manager for Southeast Asia, based in Singapore, before advancing to his European leadership role. Prior to Visa, he held senior leadership positions with established financial institutions including Ahli United Bank, ANZ, and HSBC.
This international experience proves particularly valuable as fintech solutions continue to revolutionize financial services across emerging markets, where innovative payment technologies are breaking down barriers to financial inclusion.
Succession and Business Growth
Muhmood succeeds Andrew Torre, who was recently appointed as President of Visa’s Value-Added Services business. Under Torre’s leadership, this division has grown into a remarkable $9 billion global business, delivering an impressive 20% annualized revenue growth since 2021. This transition reflects Visa’s strategic focus on expanding its AI-powered payment security solutionsand innovative services that protect digital transactions.
Regional Digital Transformation
The appointment aligns with broader trends across the CEMEA region, where digital payments markets are projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. This growth is being driven by increasing internet penetration, expanding financial inclusion, and the rising adoption of mobile payment technologies across African markets.
Oliver Jenkyn, Group President of Global Markets at Visa, emphasized the strategic importance of this appointment, stating that Muhmood’s “deep experience at the intersection of financial services, technology and high growth markets” positions him perfectly to lead Visa’s fastest-growing region.
Vision for the Future
Based in Dubai, Muhmood has already assumed his new responsibilities and expressed enthusiasm for expanding digital payments across the diverse CEMEA markets. His leadership comes as Visa continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies like AI-powered commerce solutions that will reshape how consumers interact with payment systems.
The appointment reinforces Visa’s commitment to advancing digital payment infrastructure across emerging markets, where SMEs are rapidly adopting digital solutions to drive business growth and improve financial resilience.