Job Purpose

The Head of Fintech Partnerships & Ecosystems is responsible for driving the development and commercialization of the Bank’s digital lending portfolio and ecosystem partnerships. This includes designing and scaling digital lending products, establishing and managing relationships with fintechs, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and aggregators, and developing complementary offerings such as micro-insurance and planned savings products.

The role operates at the intersection of strategy, commercial execution, and partnership management, with full accountability for the Bank’s digital lending portfolio, fintech and MNO partnerships, and ecosystem revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Digital Lending Strategy & Product Development

• Design, launch, and manage innovative digital lending products using data analytics, alternative data sources, and advanced credit scoring models.
• Continuously optimize portfolio performance, including pricing, credit limits, tenor, and eligibility criteria based on data insights and market trends.
• Develop complementary products such as micro-insurance and planned savings to enhance customer value and drive ecosystem revenue.

2. Fintech, MNO & Ecosystem Partnerships

• Identify, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships with fintechs, MNOs, aggregators, and other ecosystem players.
• Structure partnership agreements that are commercially viable, legally compliant, and aligned with the Bank’s strategy.
• Manage the full partnership lifecycle: prospecting, due diligence, onboarding, integration, performance monitoring, and renewal.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of ecosystem opportunities to support growth objectives.
• Represent the Bank in industry forums, fintech engagements, and regulatory discussions.

3. Commercial Performance & Portfolio Management

• Own and manage the Digital Lending P&L, ensuring sustainable growth, profitability, and cost control.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs), including loan disbursements, portfolio quality (PAR, NPL), revenue, and partner performance.
• Provide regular performance reports and strategic insights to Management and relevant committees.
• Collaborate with Finance and Risk teams to ensure appropriate pricing, provisioning, and stress testing of lending products.

4. Risk, Compliance & Credit Governance

• Ensure compliance with Bank of Tanzania regulations and internal risk and credit policies.
• Work closely with Risk and Credit teams to maintain robust credit risk frameworks, including model governance and portfolio monitoring.
• Monitor portfolio health and implement early warning systems and corrective actions.
• Ensure partner compliance with data privacy, AML, KYC, and consumer protection standards.

5. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and execution.
• Collaborate with ICT, Operations, Legal, and other functions to ensure seamless product delivery and integration.
• Provide strategic insights to Executive Management on fintech trends, digital lending developments, and ecosystem opportunities.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• An MBA or master’s degree is strongly preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in financial services, fintech, or digital banking.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role within digital lending, partnerships, or ecosystem development.
• Proven track record in structuring and managing fintech and MNO partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in building and scaling digital lending portfolios, including credit model design and risk management.
• Experience engaging with executive leadership, boards, and regulatory authorities.
• Strong understanding of digital financial services, including mobile money, USSD-based lending, and embedded finance.

Skills and Competencies

• Digital lending product development and portfolio management
• Data-driven and alternative credit scoring methodologies
• Strategic partnership development and negotiation
• Strong commercial acumen with P&L management experience
• Credit risk governance and portfolio oversight
• Regulatory compliance within digital financial services
• Strategic thinking and business case development
• Executive communication and stakeholder management
• Leadership and team development
• Strong execution capability at both strategic and operational levels
• Experience in micro-insurance and savings product development

• Design, launch, and manage innovative digital lending products using data analytics, alternative data sources, and advanced credit scoring models.
• Continuously optimize portfolio performance, including pricing, credit limits, tenor, and eligibility criteria based on data insights and market trends.
• Develop complementary products such as micro-insurance and planned savings to enhance customer value and drive ecosystem revenue.
• Identify, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships with fintechs, MNOs, aggregators, and other ecosystem players.
• Structure partnership agreements that are commercially viable, legally compliant, and aligned with the Bank’s strategy.
• Manage the full partnership lifecycle: prospecting, due diligence, onboarding, integration, performance monitoring, and renewal.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of ecosystem opportunities to support growth objectives.
• Represent the Bank in industry forums, fintech engagements, and regulatory discussions.
• Own and manage the Digital Lending P&L, ensuring sustainable growth, profitability, and cost control.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs), including loan disbursements, portfolio quality (PAR, NPL), revenue, and partner performance.
• Provide regular performance reports and strategic insights to Management and relevant committees.
• Collaborate with Finance and Risk teams to ensure appropriate pricing, provisioning, and stress testing of lending products.
• Ensure compliance with Bank of Tanzania regulations and internal risk and credit policies.
• Work closely with Risk and Credit teams to maintain robust credit risk frameworks, including model governance and portfolio monitoring.
• Monitor portfolio health and implement early warning systems and corrective actions.
• Ensure partner compliance with data privacy, AML, KYC, and consumer protection standards.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and execution.
• Collaborate with ICT, Operations, Legal, and other functions to ensure seamless product delivery and integration.
• Provide strategic insights to Executive Management on fintech trends, digital lending developments, and ecosystem opportunities.

• Digital lending product development and portfolio management
• Data-driven and alternative credit scoring methodologies
• Strategic partnership development and negotiation
• Strong commercial acumen with P&L management experience
• Credit risk governance and portfolio oversight
• Regulatory compliance within digital financial services
• Strategic thinking and business case development
• Executive communication and stakeholder management
• Leadership and team development
• Strong execution capability at both strategic and operational levels
• Experience in micro-insurance and savings product development

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• An MBA or master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in financial services, fintech, or digital banking.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role within digital lending, partnerships, or ecosystem development.
• Proven track record in structuring and managing fintech and MNO partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in building and scaling digital lending portfolios, including credit model design and risk management.
• Experience engaging with executive leadership, boards, and regulatory authorities.
• Strong understanding of digital financial services, including mobile money, USSD-based lending, and embedded finance.