Head of Business Development, Africa
Kuunda
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Nairobi • 🇰🇪 Kenya
Visit company websiteJob Level
Lead
About the role
- Lead the origination, negotiation, and expansion of strategic partnerships across Africa.
- Identify and secure new high-value partnerships across priority markets.
- Build playbooks for structuring repeatable and competitive deals.
- Formulate business cases for new market entries, products, and partnerships.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to validate assumptions and align on opportunities.
- Ensure seamless transition from business development to execution, aligning with product, compliance, and operations teams.
- Serve as an executive sponsor for key accounts, monitoring performance and identifying opportunities for expansion.
- Build and mentor a high-performing BD team with a clear pipeline, KPIs, and career paths.
Requirements
- 10+ years in business development, strategic partnerships, or commercial leadership, ideally in fintech, payments, or telecom.
- Proven track record of closing high-value partnerships in Africa or emerging markets.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance growth, risk, and sustainability.
- Experience developing and pitching business cases to executive stakeholders.
- Broad network across financial and digital ecosystem players.
- Exceptional negotiation and influencing skills at senior levels.
- Demonstrated ability to align cross-functional teams and manage complex launches.
- Entrepreneurial mindset suited to high-growth environments.
- French language skills are an advantage.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonus.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities.
- Flexible work arrangements and an inclusive culture.
- An exciting environment at the forefront of fintech innovation.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
business developmentstrategic partnershipsnegotiationcommercial leadershipbusiness case developmentKPI managementmarket entry strategydeal structuringperformance monitoringcross-functional collaboration
Soft skills
commercial acumennegotiation skillsinfluencing skillsteam buildingmentoringentrepreneurial mindsetalignment of teamsrisk managementsustainability focuscommunication