Country Manager (WAEMU)

💙 Our Mission

At RAFIKI & NALA, we're building payments for the Next Billion. This means transforming how money moves into Africa, Asia and beyond. By building cutting-edge payment solutions, we’re simplifying financial transactions for individuals and businesses alike—helping them thrive in a global economy.

We’re driven by innovation, community, and the belief that everyone deserves access to reliable, efficient, and affordable financial services. If you’re passionate about creating meaningful change and shaping the future of fintech in Africa and Asia, join us and be part of a team that's revolutionising financial empowerment on a global scale.

🙌 Your Mission

In this role, you will lead Rafiki’s business in WAEMU, starting with Senegal and Ivory Coast. Your primary responsibility is to secure the best possible FX rates by working closely with banks, brokers and other financial institutions. You’ll also secure funding arrangements that ease float constraints and reduce settlement delays—ensuring that our operations remain reliable and efficient.

Beyond FX, you’ll lead key negotiations with payout partners, banks and other partners to secure strong commercial terms. You’ll oversee licensing, ensure compliance with local regulations, and maintain an active relationship with the Central Bank and other authorities. This role calls for someone who can think and act like an owner and entrepeneur - someone who moves fast, solves problems clearly, and uses data and insight to make strategic decisions.

If you’re a strong negotiator who thrives in fast payment environment, this role is for you.

• Proven experience in the fintech, banking or payments sector within the WAEMU region.

• Strong understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing financial services in WAEMU countries.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with a track record of partnerships with banks, regulators, and fintech startups.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving in fast-paced environments.
• Fluency in English and French

💪 Nice to Have Qualifications

• Experience with market entry strategies and scaling operations in multiple countries.
• Previous work experience in a leadership role within a rapidly-growing startup.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset and ability to adapt strategies quickly based on market feedback.

🎯 What You’ll Own

• Develop and execute strategies to grow Rafiki’s presence and market share in WAEMU.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local financial institutions, payment providers, and regulatory bodies.
• Navigate the regulatory landscape and manage relationships with Central Banks in WAEMU member countries to ensure compliance and secure necessary licenses.
• Negotiate the best commercials, fees and secure the best FX rates
• Own the market’s P&L, providing strategic insight to drive profitability and sustainability.
• Surface insights and data that drive real decisions.

➡️ Interview Process

• 30-Minute Intro Call: Your first conversation will be with either the Hiring Manager or our Senior Talent Partner. We’ll discuss your background, motivations, and alignment with the role and company culture. This is also a chance for you to ask questions and understand how we operate.
• 1-Hour Technical Interview with Hiring Manager: This is a deep dive into your ability to do the job. We’ll explore your functional expertise, how you approach complex challenges, and assess your readiness to execute in this role.
• 30-Minute Peer Interview: You’ll speak with someone who’s either in the role or has done it before—someone who truly knows what it takes to succeed. This is a valuable opportunity to get an honest view of our culture, pace, and expectations from a teammate’s perspective. It’s also a key moment for us to assess your fit—both culturally and functionally—through the lens of someone who’s walked the path.
• Task (Up to 2 Hours): You’ll complete a practical task that mirrors the kind of challenges you’ll face in the role. We’re looking for clear thinking, structured problem-solving, and strong execution under real-world constraints.
• 1-Hour Final Interview with our COO or CEO: You’ll wrap with a strategic conversation focused on your long-term vision, leadership mindset, and how you’ll contribute to Rafiki’s mission and growth. It’s also a chance to align on values, ambition, and what success looks like in this role.

• 35 Days Off: Enjoy an amazing 35 days of holidays to unwind and explore.

• Birthday Leave: Celebrate your special day with a bonus day off to take off in that month
• Enhanced Parental Leave - We offer 16 weeks of full pay for the primary caregiver and 4 weeks of full pay for the secondary caregiver (After a 6-month probationary period)
• Learning Budget: Fuel your growth with $1000 annually for learning and development.
• Global Workspace: Get access to WeWork locations worldwide

Ready to own one of Rafiki’s most important markets?

WAEMU is an important market for Rafiki. We're looking for someone who can take full ownership - commercials, FX, partnerships, regulation and growth, execution. You’ll build systems, close deals, unlock bottlenecks, and drive results. No hand-holding. If you move fast, think clearly, and thrive in payments, this is your role.