John Kuria Gichuhi
Product Manager
Nairobi
Summary
Strategic Product Innovation Specialist with over 10 years’ experience implementing commercial and Fintech solutions within telecommunication and commercial banking sectors. Experience cultivated in various executive and mid- level management roles overseeing regional and local markets, defining functional and market penetration strategies, integrating business partnerships and redefining product solutions to meet consumer expectations. In the current assignment as the Chief of Products at Kifiya Plc, the major role is to steer Products, Technology and AI teams to deliver the company purpose of democratizing digital and financial access for Africa. In the last six month the team has managed to enable 4 banks in Ethiopia to launch digital lending for MSMEs
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
21
21
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief of Products
Kifiya Financial Technology PLC
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
01.2024 - Current
- Responsible for steering the company's transformation into a product-led organization. The objective is to inspire and mobilize the youthful and dynamic Data, Products, and Technology team to fulfill Kifiya's mission of simplifying and enhancing people's lives by making transactions simple, secure, affordable, and accessible. The compnay has a target of enabling six banks to start digital lending for MSMEs in year 2024
Group Head of New Products and Payments
Airtel Africa
Nairobi, Kenya
1 2018 - 12.2023
- Responsible for the development and implementation of the Airtel Money Payment functional strategy, payment business development portfolio, mapping out market penetration strategies, and driving commercial awareness while managing target market and stakeholder expectations across the 14 Airtel Money Markets.
Senior Product Manager (Card Issuing)
Barclays Bank (ABSA BANK Kenya)
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Responsible for customer proposition, pricing and promotion of Barclaycard and Co-brand credit card products in partnership with internal and external partners
- This position also entailed market analysis and benchmarking to build on the value proposition, customer journey, product specifications to build on brand positioning and profitability.
M-PESA Business Development Manager
SAFARICOM LIMITED
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Tasked with the development and management of the Business Development strategy
- Attaining product growth, development of new and existing services across the mobile money platform
- This entailed managing organizations strategic direction through establishment of cross channel experiences, enterprise establishment and development of consumer segments through implementation of technological solutions to build on product market penetration.
Education
Master of Arts Economics and Policy Management -
University of Nairobi (UoN)
Nairobi 01.2021 - Current
Bachelor of Ed. (Arts)-Mathematics & Economics -
Kenyatta University Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya 01.2000 - 12.2004
Some College (No Degree) - Project Management
In-House Training- Barclays Bank
Nairobi 01.2013 - 02.2024
Some College (No Degree) -
Kenya Accountants And Secretaries National Examinations Board
Kenya 01.2012 - 12.2012
Skills
Flexible and Adaptable
Organization and Time Management
Supervision and leadership
Excellent Communication
Problem-Solving
Teamwork and Collaboration
Friendly, Positive Attitude
Dependable and Responsible
Accomplishments
- Team lead enabling Four Banks to Launch Digital Lending Platforms in Ethiopia
- Launched and Scaled Airtel Money Mastercard Virtual Card in Nine African Markets
- Designed Merchant Business Segmentation Strategy and Supported OPCOs in implementation (14 Markets)
- Negotiated Fintech Partnerships, Achieving 13% Growth in Airtel's IMT Segment Over Two Years
- Achieved 10% YoY Credit Card ENR Growth While Maintaining NPL Below 5% (2014–2018)
- Launched Installment Solutions (Buy Now, Pay Later) on Barclays Credit Cards
Project management
- Ethiopia: 4 banks live with Digital Lending Platform
- Airtel Money MasterCard implementation and launch in 9 African countries
- New Credit card launches: Visa Signature Card Barclays Bank. Multi-currency card (NCBA)
- Technical integration: Various Banks, Fintechs and Platform integartions to Mpesa and Airtel Money
Product launch
- Digital Lending platforms in Ethiopia - Cooperative bank of Oromia (Michu), Wegagen (Efotyia), Enat (Dureti) and Bunna (Abol) Bank
- Airtel Money Mastercard - 9 countries
- Micro-merchant solution - 14 counties
- Lipa na MPesa at Petrol stations
- NationHela by Nation Media Group
- Credit cards: Visa Signature (Barclays), Multicurency cards(NCBA)
Contacts
+254-787 034 567, +254 787 034 567, gichuhi@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kuria-gichuhi-444a0519/
References
- Gul Khan, CEO, I&M Bank Kenya, +254 752 899 400, gul.khan@imbank.co.ke
- Lenin Oyuga, Vice President, Telco Commercial & Partnerships MEA, Mastercard, +254 727 061 158, lenin.oyuga@mastercard.com
- Japhet Aritho, Managing Director, Airtel Money Uganda, +254 752 609 714, japhet.aritho@ug.airtel.com
Competencesskills
- Product Development
- Revenue Growth
- Expansion Strategy
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Relations
- Strategic Partnerships
- Business Development skills
- Market Intelligence
- Business Analysis Skills
- Data Visualization
- Persuasive and Empathetic
- Leadership Skills
Timeline
Chief of Products
Kifiya Financial Technology PLC
01.2024 - Current
Master of Arts Economics and Policy Management -
University of Nairobi (UoN)
01.2021 - Current
Senior Product Manager (Card Issuing)
Barclays Bank (ABSA BANK Kenya)
01.2014 - 01.2018
Some College (No Degree) - Project Management
In-House Training- Barclays Bank
01.2013 - 02.2024
M-PESA Business Development Manager
SAFARICOM LIMITED
01.2013 - 01.2014
Some College (No Degree) -
Kenya Accountants And Secretaries National Examinations Board
01.2012 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Ed. (Arts)-Mathematics & Economics -
Kenyatta University Nairobi
01.2000 - 12.2004
Group Head of New Products and Payments
Airtel Africa
1 2018 - 12.2023
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