Head of Legal, Regulatory & Compliance – Financial Services, West Africa

[https://app.ashbyhq.com/api/images/user-content/1d985516-2a99-43c0-b591-957f5adaceb9/5ac97b31-49cd-4012-8bb0-5caf15e33c69/B25.png] WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HEAD OF LEGAL, REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE – FINANCIAL SERVICES, WEST AFRICA, TO JOIN OUR LEGAL GROUP, AS WE SCALE UP AND DRIVE DIGITAL AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION ACROSS OUR MARKETS. [https://app.ashbyhq.com/api/images/user-content/1d985516-2a99-43c0-b591-957f5adaceb9/2c6957b4-39d2-40b3-8eb6-7e380a0c2f9c/B13.png] THE REGULATORY ARCHITECTURE FOR DIGITAL FINANCE IN WEST AFRICA IS BEING BUILT RIGHT NOW That is not a metaphor. The DCSP framework in Ghana, the evolving fintech regulatory environment in Nigeria, the supervisory expectations around digital credit and consumer lending at scale — these are in active formation. For a senior financial services regulatory professional, this is precisely the moment to be in the room. M-KOPA has extended more than $2 billion in credit to over 10 million customers across seven markets — 55% of whom are accessing formal financial products for the first time. Regulatory leadership is not peripheral to that mission. It is foundational to it. [https://app.ashbyhq.com/api/images/user-content/1d985516-2a99-43c0-b591-957f5adaceb9/5e9f3448-2fed-4b66-b1ee-9474279a7947/B13.png] WHAT THIS ROLE CARRIES This is a group-wide leadership position with particular depth in West Africa, reporting to the Director of Compliance. The scope includes ownership of M-KOPA's financial services regulatory strategy, senior engagement with regulators and industry bodies in Nigeria and Ghana, and direct accountability for licensing and authorisation processes — including the DCSP licence in Ghana and financial services licensing in Nigeria. Day-to-day, the role spans regulatory horizon-monitoring and impact assessment, partnering with Product and Credit to embed regulatory requirements into new product development from the outset, and overseeing responses to examinations, regulatory reporting, and high-stakes supervisory submissions. It also carries responsibility for maintaining and improving compliance policies, regulatory playbooks, and control frameworks, and for driving training and first-line regulatory ownership across markets. [https://app.ashbyhq.com/api/images/user-content/1d985516-2a99-43c0-b591-957f5adaceb9/d579a917-7483-41f9-b611-d4f4708c8724/M-KOPA%20Pic.jpg] WHAT THIS ROLE REQUIRES A proven track record in financial services compliance, regulatory affairs, or in-house legal/regulatory roles within a regulated environment — digital credit, lending, payments, consumer finance, fintech, or banking. Demonstrable experience leading licensing and authorisation processes, managing ongoing supervisory engagement, and handling examinations and regulatory reporting at a senior level. Deep knowledge of financial services regulatory frameworks and conduct risk, including consumer protection, AML/CFT, and data protection, with the ability to engage credibly with regulators, investors, and senior internal stakeholders. A Bachelor's degree in Law, Compliance, Finance, or a related field is required. A professional qualification — bar admission, CAMS, ICA, or equivalent — is an advantage. WHY THIS, AND WHY NOW At a bank or established financial institution, regulatory affairs tends to mean stable frameworks and incremental change. Here, the frameworks are still being shaped — and M-KOPA's senior regulatory voice will have a hand in shaping them. That is a genuinely different kind of work, with a genuinely different kind of impact. WHY M-KOPA? At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility. Join us in shaping the future of M-KOPA as we grow together. Explore more at m-kopa.com http://m-kopa.com. [https://app.ashbyhq.com/api/images/user-content/1d985516-2a99-43c0-b591-957f5adaceb9/3…