South Africa Country Head

About Wahed: The global financial system wasn't built for everyone. For millions of people, its reliance on interest (riba) creates a barrier to managing money and building wealth without compromising their values. At Wahed, we're changing that. We are a global fintech company on a mission to build a new financial system—one that is ethical, accessible, and entirely interest-free. From our offices across the globe, our team is building products that were once deemed impossible, from pioneering Shariah-compliant equity ETFs, creating riba-free alternatives to high yield savings accounts, to creating no-leverage real estate investments for truly interest-free income producing assets. If you're driven to solve complex problems and believe finance should empower, not exclude, join us in building a more equitable financial future. Job Brief: Wahed is entering one of the most strategically important and socially impactful markets in our global expansion journey: South Africa - a nation with deep financial inequality, a sophisticated financial ecosystem, and a growing appetite for values-based, ethical financial solutions. We are seeking a mission-driven, commercially astute Country Head to build, launch, and scale Wahed South Africa from the ground up. This is a defining leadership opportunity to pioneer Islamic and ethical digital finance in a market where it can create outsized socioeconomic impact. As the South Africa Country Head , you will be the principal architect of Wahed’s presence in the region. You will shape the country strategy, build foundational regulatory and industry relationships, and orchestrate a high-stakes, multi-workstream market launch. This includes leading the localization of our product offering, building our operational footprint, and establishing Wahed as a trusted, compliant, and high-integrity financial provider in the country.This is a role for someone who thrives in emerging markets, understands the nuance of regulated financial ecosystems, and is energized by the challenge of shaping a market from zero to scale. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be accountable for delivering a successful market entry, ensuring operational resilience, and driving sustainable customer growth in South Africa. Job Description: Strategic Leadership & Mission Alignment Develop and execute a purpose-driven country strategy that positions Wahed as South Africa’s leading provider of Shariah-compliant and ethical financial solutions. Partner with the CEO and global leadership to shape long-term country-level priorities, investment decisions, and growth pathways. Market & Launch Execution Oversee the launch of our products and features in South Africa, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and localisation. Coordinate cross-functional workstreams (product, operations, technology, marketing, legal, risk) to deliver a seamless, high-integrity market entry. Establish robust governance, compliance, and risk frameworks aligned with South African regulations and Wahed’s global standards. Stakeholder, Regulator & Partner Engagement Build influential relationships with regulators, financial institutions, potential partners, community leaders, and Shariah governance stakeholders. Position Wahed as a trusted, values-aligned entrant that enhances financial inclusion and aligns with South Africa’s socioeconomic priorities. Identify and negotiate strategic partnerships that strengthen product reach, credibility, and local impact. Growth, Performance & Market Insight Drive customer acquisition, retention, and market penetration through data-driven insights, continuous improvement, and localised value propositions. Identify emerging opportunities unique to the South African context, such as community-based financial inclusion initiatives or culturally relevant financial products. Provide regular reports to the c-suite on the progress of the South Africa launch and the performance of the country's operations, including key milestones, financial metrics, customer acquisition, and product usage. Team Leadership & Capability Building Build, develop, and lead a high-performing South Africa team anchored in Wahed’s mission and culture. Foster an environment of accountability, innovation, and values-based decision-making. Strengthen cross-border collaboration to ensure South Africa is fully integrated into Wahed’s global operating model. Job Specification: Experience & Track Record Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred. 10–15+ years in capital markets, banking, investments, or fintech, with measurable commercial and operational achievements. Experience launching or scaling new market operations, ideally within South Africa’s financial services ecosystem. Proven and verifiable track record of successfully launching and scaling operations in new markets, with direct experience in South Africa being a significant advantage. Skills & Competencies Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise, execute, and drive multiple launch-related initiatives simultaneously. Strong stakeholder and regulator engagement experience; credible with senior decision-makers. Analytical and insight-driven mindset with the ability to tailor global offerings to local customer needs. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across cultures and stakeholder groups. Deep understanding of South African regulatory frameworks is highly advantageous. Qualifications & Values Fit Understanding of Shariah-compliant investing or Islamic finance (or willingness to learn deeply). Passion for ethical finance, financial access, and building mission-led organizations. Why This Role Matter This role is central to Wahed’s global expansion and purpose. As South Africa Country Head, you will not simply lead a market — you will shape a movement, driving financial dignity, inclusion, and values-based investing for millions across the region. If you are a strategic, mission-driven leader who thrives in high-growth environments and believes finance should serve people, not the other way around, we invite you to help build Wahed’s future in South Africa.