Visa Inc. has announced the appointment of Aminata Kane as its Senior Vice President and Head of Western and Central Africa, a role she will formally assume on September 4, 2025. With this new leadership appointment, Visa signals its intensified focus on driving digital innovation and financial inclusion across a strategically vital region that spans 23 countries.
Kane will be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and lead Visa’s newly structured sub-regional operations, which will be anchored in four major African cities: Abidjan, Accra, Kinshasa, and Lagos. This marks a significant step in Visa’s regional strategy, as the company seeks to deepen its footprint and drive inclusive digital growth across key African markets.
A Proven Leader in Financial Technology and Inclusive Innovation
Aminata Kane brings a wealth of multinational executive experience in telecommunications and financial services, having spent over a decade shaping digital ecosystems across Africa and the Middle East. Most recently, she served as Regional CEO for Orange Money Group, where she oversaw both Orange Money and Orange Bank Africa operations across 17 countries.
Her work at Orange was marked by bold initiatives that expanded access to mobile money and digital banking services, helping to empower unbanked populations and support informal economies. Under her leadership, Orange Money became a critical infrastructure for millions of Africans, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Moreover, Kane has long championed youth empowerment and gender equity through technology. Her tenure included the establishment of the Orange Foundation and Orange Digital Center in Sierra Leone, where young people—especially women—received training in coding, entrepreneurship, and leadership. These initiatives were designed to equip a new generation of Africans with the skills needed to thrive in a digital-first world.
Strategic Role in Visa’s Financial Inclusion Mission
According to Andrew Torre, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), Kane’s appointment is a strategic move that aligns perfectly with Visa’s regional ambitions.
“Aminata’s leadership and deep expertise in digital financial services will be instrumental in driving Visa’s mission to expand financial inclusion across Western and Central Africa,” Torre stated. “We are excited to have her lead this dynamic region and believe that her strategic vision will help enhance our efforts to create more accessible and innovative digital payment ecosystems.”
Visa has consistently emphasized its commitment to fostering inclusive economies, particularly in regions where large segments of the population remain underserved by formal financial systems. With mobile and digital technologies becoming increasingly central to African commerce, Kane’s experience in rolling out scalable fintech solutions will be key in accelerating adoption.
A Global Perspective with Deep Local Insights
Aminata Kane’s global career trajectory began in traditional finance at Goldman Sachs and later at McKinsey & Company, where she gained a solid foundation in financial strategy, transformation, and market expansion. These early roles laid the groundwork for her transition to telecom-led fintech initiatives in emerging markets.
She holds degrees from both HEC Paris and the MIT Sloan School of Management, reflecting a strong academic background that complements her practical, on-the-ground leadership in Africa’s complex business environment. Her achievements have earned her international recognition, including being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of the Top 100 Women CEOs in Africa.
Kane’s Vision for the Future of Digital Payments in Africa
In her statement following the announcement, Kane expressed both pride and purpose in taking on the new role at Visa, underscoring the transformative potential of digital payments to reshape economies and uplift communities.
“I am deeply honored to join Visa at such a pivotal moment for Africa’s digital transformation,” she said. “Building on years of work advancing digital and financial inclusion across Africa and the Middle East, this is a unique opportunity to help shape a more inclusive, innovative ecosystem that reflects the talent, ambition, and potential of our region.”
“I look forward to collaborating closely with our teams, partners, and public sector stakeholders to expand access, empower businesses, and deliver trusted, impactful payment solutions that drive sustainable growth and opportunity for all.”
Driving the Next Phase of Visa’s African Strategy
Aminata Kane’s leadership arrives as Visa continues to invest heavily in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy, where mobile penetration, youth entrepreneurship, and small business digitalization are driving unprecedented demand for secure, efficient payment solutions.
Her experience navigating both corporate and regulatory landscapes will be crucial as Visa works with governments, fintech partners, and merchants to build infrastructure that meets the region’s diverse needs. Kane is expected to lead initiatives that support not just digital payment adoption, but also broader goals such as financial literacy, data security, and youth digital empowerment.
As Visa deepens its engagement with Africa’s digital future, Aminata Kane stands poised to help shape the narrative — not just as a regional executive, but as a visionary leader driving inclusive progress at scale.
