Head of Government Affairs, West Africa

Based in Visa’s Lagos, Nigeria office, this dynamic position requires a proactive, solution-oriented, articulate, and strategic thinker who can operate and influence policymaking at the highest levels of government. The role involves frequent travel within anglophone West Africa.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for driving the achievement of Visa’s regulatory and policy objectives through strategic engagements with key government officials, policymakers, public influencers, and regulators in anglophone West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia).

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a West Africa Government Affairs strategy, with clear objectives, timelines, and actions aligned to Visa’s global policy and regional priorities.

• Manage operations including budgets, reporting, and timely delivery of high-quality position papers, policy briefs, analyses, and engagement plans.

• Align policy initiatives with business goals and provide guidance to support market growth and innovation.

• Monitor and influence legislation, regulation, and policy affecting Visa’s interests, advocating for favorable outcomes.

• Build and sustain relationships with government bodies, industry groups, NGOs, and multilaterals. Represent Visa in strategic forums to shape payment policies.

• Implement best practices in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory monitoring, refine processes for efficiency and impact.

• Promote internal awareness of Government Affairs through training, briefings, and updates.

Key Competencies

• Understanding of the digital payments industry and its economic and social impact.

• Strong ability to analyze, interpret, and anticipate regulations and policy frameworks impacting digital payments and fintech ecosystems.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing stakeholder relations strategies.

• In-depth knowledge of business and political environments in anglophone West Africa.

• Strong political and business acumen.

• Creative and innovative thinking.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Budgeting and financial management experience.

• Ability to work under pressure.

• Motivated self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.

• Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Computer literacy.

Job Scope

• Reports to the Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs for Western and Central Africa.

• Works closely with country, CEMEA hub-level, and global colleagues, including teams in Country Management, Corporate Communications, Legal, Marketing, Strategy, Risk Management, Social Impact, and Products.

• Collaborates with Government Affairs colleagues globally to develop and refine best practices.

• Serves as a subject matter expert on policy, regulatory issues, and government relations for cross-divisional business teams.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Basic Qualifications
• 8+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or at least 5 years of experience with an advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, MBA, JD, MD), or 2 years with a PhD.
Preferred Qualifications
• 9+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 7+ years with an advanced degree, or 3+ years with a PhD.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or related fields.
• 8–10 years’ experience in government relations, regulatory, or public affairs roles.

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.