Country Director - Mali
PawaPay · Mary
Who is PawaPay
PawaPay is a pan-African fintech enabling local payment channels used by the mass market to both local and international merchants. We operate in a highly regulated, partner-driven environment and are in scale-up mode, with ambitious growth plans across multiple African markets.
Our vision is to simplify business for companies and consumers in Africa and we do that by ensuring that payments simply work, at scale, despite fragmentation and complexity that exists on the Continent.
Through our payments API we already facilitate over 4 million transactions a day across 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are the largest PSP on the Continent for the processing of mobile money payments, and have positioned ourselves well to lead the payment space as it grows over the next decade.
At PawaPay, there is an entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a modern and professional working culture. The fast-paced, ever-changing environment will suit someone who can adapt and think on their feet. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a group of dedicated and smart individuals working towards the same mission. We work as a remote team and have team members in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Role
As the Country Director for Mali at PawaPay, you will lead the company’s operations and partner relationships within Mali. This role combines relationship management, business development execution, and operational oversight with core governance duties. You will support the execution of Group strategy locally, helping identify growth opportunities while ensuring that PawaPay delivers exceptional service levels and strong partner performance in the market.
You will work closely with cross-functional teams across Product, Sales, Operations, Compliance, Finance, and Legal, ensuring effective coordination and a seamless experience for our partners.
This position requires a proactive, strategic, and highly organised leader with excellent stakeholder management capability and a deep understanding of the mobile money and fintech ecosystem in Mali and the wider West African region.
What You'll Own
- Relationship Management. Serve as the primary relationship holder for all in-country partners (MMOs, banks, financial institutions). Lead ongoing engagement, service reviews, dispute resolution, and maintain strong local presence and responsiveness.
- Business Development & Commercial Engagement. Lead initial commercial conversations with local partners, drive end-to-end onboarding/integration, identify product expansion opportunities, and generate local merchant leads.
- Operational Leadership. Own local issue resolution, manage local administrative/KYC requirements, oversee office operations, monitor operational KPIs, and maintain high service uptime with partner technical teams.
- Cross-Functional In-Country Support. Provide targeted local support to Group functions including Legal, Compliance/GRC, Finance/Tax, and People Operations.
- Governance & Representation. Act as Company Director and bank signatory for the local entity, ensure statutory compliance, submit monthly/board reports, and represent PawaPay brand locally.
What Success Looks Like
In your first 12 months, success in this role means:
- Strong In-Country Partner Relationships. High-trust partnerships established with key local MMOs, banks, and regulators, backed by structured recurring service reviews.
- Seamless Operations & Governance. Full statutory and legal compliance across Mali, robust local banking controls, and high operational uptime across payment channels.
- Commercial Growth. Target partners successfully onboarded and live, alongside a steady pipeline of qualified local merchant leads for Group sales.
What We're Looking For
What you'll bring
- Relevant experience. 5+ years in stakeholder management, business development, regulatory liaison, or operational leadership within fintech, mobile money, telecoms, or financial services.
- Senior Stakeholder Management. Proven track record managing external relationships with regulators, mobile network operators, and banks.
- Language Proficiency. Fluency in English and French (local market requirements).
- Industry Expertise. Deep understanding of the African payments and mobile money ecosystem.
- Education & Mindset. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field; high integrity and proactive ownership mindset.
Nice to have
- Master’s degree or MBA.
- Prior experience in cross-border regional expansion across neighbouring West African markets.
Why PawaPay?
- Help improve financial access in Africa
- Being part of an amazing team that shapes company’s culture as a great place to be
- An ambitious, talented, and diverse team who always has your back
- We grow fast, and you will grow fast with us
- Competitive remuneration
- 35 days of paid leave per year (inclusive of public holidays) and more.