MPesa Merchant Payments: Sr. Product Manager at Safaricom Telecommunication Ethiopia

Position Title: MPesa Merchant Payments: Sr. Product Manager

Employer: Safaricom Telecommunication Ethiopia

Employment: Full-Time | Permanent

Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 12 hours ago

Deadline: October, 29/2025 (7 days left)

Job Description

Role purpose:

At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In under four years, we have grown to serve over 10 million customers, with our network now reaching 55% of Ethiopia’s population – a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.

Guided by core values such as customer obsession, innovation, integrity, and get it done together, we are building a workplace that is dynamic, inclusive, and empowering. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That’s why, for two consecutive years, we have proudly get earned the Top Employer Award – in recognition for our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive environment to people.

Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team that is shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future.

Reporting to the Executive Head of M-PESA Products & B2C Segments, the Senior Product Manager - M-PESA Merchant Payments, will lead and coordinate the delivery and execution of the M-PESA Merchant and Agent product portfolio that includes Merchant Products, Agent Products and merchant partners engagements for key strategic engagements. The role will lead the development and management of innovative M-PESA Fintech solutions that meet the evolving needs of our Merchant Business portfolio.

This role is responsible for the overall Merchant and Agent product portfolio strategy, roadmap development, and execution, ensuring alignment with business objectives. It requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including the Safaricom Digital distribution and marketing teams to deliver solutions for different merchant verticals from Retail, Hospitality, Fuel Payments Supermarket, Merchant ERP partner integrations, Modern Trade, Value chain distribution for instance FMCG as well as General Trade businesses.

Responsibilities

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

• Product Portfolio Management: Responsible for the vertical needs including bespoke solutions for Retail, Hospitality, Fuel Payments Supermarket, Merchant ERP partner integrations, Modern Trade, Value chain distribution, for instance FMCG as well as General Trade business needs.
• Product Roadmap & Strategy: Own and manage the Portfolio roadmaps, ensuring clear prioritization of features and timely delivery. Monitor portfolio performance, including KPIs, and iterate on the product based on insights and feedback.
• Product innovation: Responsible for understanding and documenting customers', businesses', and partners’ needs and developing products to meet these needs. Keep abreast of the latest innovations in payments and relevant technology and factors that are into the product strategy.
• Product analytics, performance, and Competitive assessment: Work with analytics team to analyze business metrics, portfolio performance and competitive assessment of M-PESA Business Payments products portfolio.
• Stakeholder & Partner Management: Responsible for working with internal and external partners and stakeholders to launch and maintain relevant use cases for M-PESA Merchant Payments.
• Merchant ERP Integrations: Responsible for working with ERP companies to integrate M-PESA to the POS to facilitate merchant payments
• Leadership and Mentorship: Responsible for the growth of the team by mentoring, coaching and fostering a culture of innovation, experimentation and continuous improvement within the portfolio.
• Product Launch & Go-to-Market Strategy: Lead the M-PESA Merchant Payments portfolio product launches, collaborating with marketing and sales teams to ensure successful go-to-market execution.

Key performance indicator:

1. Revenue and performance metrics.
2. Market penetration and growth
3. Customer and user feedback
4. Product Innovation and improvement
5. People Management and team development

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

Business Competencies:

• Must have 3+ years’ experience having directly launched/managed/operated a mobile money/ mobile banking product.

Fintech background:

• Fintech and Technical background Experience with ability to collaborate closely with engineers.

Creativity and Innovation

• Strong problem-solving skills with an ability to anticipate roadblocks and provide proactive solutions.
• Deep understanding of user experience, identifying user needs, and prioritizing user feedback.

Business Know how

• In-depth understanding of the fintech space, digital payments, mobile money and mobile banking environment.

Working with Change

• Experience with Agile development processes and frequent, incremental testing and deployment.

Project and Programme Management

• Comprehensive knowledge of product development, lifecycle and agile product management practices.

Functional Competencies:

• Experience in product management, demonstrating growing responsibility and successful product delivery.

People Management:

Past managerial experience, team development, mentoring, coaching.

Qualifications

Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, technology or related fields.

Desired

• Fintech background experience will be highly desirable
• Technical background or ability to collaborate closely with engineers.
• An MBA or equivalent will be highly desirable.

Financial Responsibility:

Responsible for expending OPEX within approved limits for product specific activity.

Direct reports:

• Product Manager – Merchant Payments
• Product Specialist – Merchant Payments

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have assumed current Safaricom role for a minimum of 12 months period.
• Employees must complete all assigned training courses to be considered for promotion .
• Employees are strongly advised to discuss their career aspirations with their line managers when they apply for vacant jobs .
• Candidates are eligible to apply for roles at the same level (possible lateral move to another functions. ) or one level higher (next higher immediate level)
• Please be aware that promotions (band increments) may lead to changes in financial rewards. However, lateral moves only result in changes to job title and reporting lines.
• For Regional roles , knowledge of the Region local language is essential.

How to apply

If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly proceed to create/ update your candidate profile on the recruitment portal and then Click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume.