TANZANIAN business leader Victor Makere (pictured) has been appointed the new Country Manager for global digital payments giant Visa in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

He will drive Visa’s strategic growth, enhance client relationships, and expand digital payment solutions across these key markets.

A statement released by the company in Dar es Salaam over the weekend said Makere will manage a diverse client portfolio across the four countries to boost Visa's strategic value, increase revenue for both clients and Visa, and strengthen executive relationships. He will also set business objectives and lead key projects, including new product and service implementation.

Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager for East Africa at Visa, commented on the appointment:

 “We are delighted to welcome Victor to the Visa East Africa leadership team. With his distinguished track record in digital financial services, merchant acquiring, and strategic business development, we look forward to his significant contributions to Visa’s efforts to enhance financial inclusion and expand digital commerce across Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. His leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to build a resilient and inclusive digital payments ecosystem in the region.”

Makere expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: 

“I am excited to join Visa and play a key role in accelerating the growth of digital payments across Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Visa’s commitment to financial innovation and inclusion aligns perfectly with my vision for transforming the payments landscape. I look forward to collaborating with our clients, partners, and stakeholders to deliver cutting-edge, secure, and seamless payment solutions that drive economic growth and empower businesses and consumers across the region.”

Makere brings extensive expertise in the digital payments subsector, with a proven track record in mobile financial services, strategic partnerships, and transformative payment solutions. 

Previously, as Head of Merchant Payments at Airtel Money Tanzania, he led the strategic direction for mobile and merchant payment solutions. Additionally, he has held senior roles at CRDB Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in Tanzania where he spearheaded digital banking transformations and merchant acquiring strategies. 

While at CRDB, as one of the members representing the banks through the Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA), he played a pivotal role in driving the industry-wide adoption of innovative payment solutions. 

He advanced interoperability across networks and financial institutions, significantly enhancing the digital payments landscape in Tanzania.