Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic candidate responsible for development and growth of Micro-Merchant network. The Micro-Merchant Manager will lead the development, rollout, and growth of Airtel Money’s Micro-Merchant proposition. The role is responsible for acquiring, activating, managing, and growing a nationwide base of micro, small, and medium merchants accepting Airtel Money payments. The incumbent will drive merchant acquisition strategies, increase payment acceptance and transaction volumes, enhance merchant experience, and contribute significantly to Airtel Money revenue and customer growth objectives.

Responsibilities

Product Growth & Commercial Strategy

• Develop and execute the micro-merchant growth strategy aligned to Airtel Money business objectives.
• Drive merchant acquisition, activation, retention, and revenue growth.
• Identify and prioritize merchant segments with the highest growth potential.
• Develop business cases for new merchant products and services.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, competitor activities, and emerging payment technologies.

Merchant Acquisition & Expansion

• Design and implement nationwide merchant acquisition plans.
• Recruit merchants; both Micro and Formal merchants
• Build scalable merchant onboarding processes.
• Work closely with zonal sales and distribution teams recruit and maintain active merchants.
• Establish partnerships with merchant associations, chambers of commerce, and SME groups.
• Ensure efficient merchant registration and activation processes.

Merchant Activation & Usage

• Develop initiatives to increase transaction frequency and merchant engagement.
• Drive merchant education and awareness programs.
• Introduce incentives and campaigns that encourage active use of Airtel Money acceptance solutions.
• Monitor merchant activity and implement interventions to reduce dormancy.

Channel Management

• Develop merchant support models and service standards.
• Ensure field teams are adequately trained and equipped to support merchants.
• Manage relationships with key merchant aggregators and business partners

Revenue & Performance Management

• Deliver agreed merchant acquisition, activation, transaction volume, and revenue targets.
• Analyze merchant performance data and provide actionable insights.
• Develop initiatives to improve merchant profitability and lifetime value.
• Track key KPIs and present performance reports to senior management.

Customer Experience & Support

• Champion a superior merchant experience across all touchpoints.
• Identify and resolve merchant pain points.
• Ensure timely resolution of merchant complaints and inquiries.
• Gather merchant feedback and recommend product improvements.
• Drive the introduction of value-added services such as Merchant Loans, Working Capital Solutions and Loyalty and Rewards Programs

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Implement controls to mitigate fraud and operational risks.
• Ensure adherence to KYC and merchant onboarding standards.
• Monitor suspicious activities and escalate appropriately

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Commerce, or related field.
• Master’s Degree or MBA is an added advantage.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in Mobile Money, Banking, Fintech, Payments, FMCG, Telecommunications, or Digital Financial Services.
• At least 3 years in management or product commercialization role.
• Demonstrated experience in merchant acquisition, payments, agency banking, or distribution management.
• Proven track record of delivering commercial growth targets

• Develop and execute the micro-merchant growth strategy aligned to Airtel Money business objectives.
• Drive merchant acquisition, activation, retention, and revenue growth.
• Identify and prioritize merchant segments with the highest growth potential.
• Develop business cases for new merchant products and services.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, competitor activities, and emerging payment technologies.
• Design and implement nationwide merchant acquisition plans.
• Recruit merchants; both Micro and Formal merchants
• Build scalable merchant onboarding processes.
• Work closely with zonal sales and distribution teams recruit and maintain active merchants.
• Establish partnerships with merchant associations, chambers of commerce, and SME groups.
• Ensure efficient merchant registration and activation processes.
• Develop initiatives to increase transaction frequency and merchant engagement.
• Drive merchant education and awareness programs.
• Introduce incentives and campaigns that encourage active use of Airtel Money acceptance solutions.
• Monitor merchant activity and implement interventions to reduce dormancy.
• Develop merchant support models and service standards.
• Ensure field teams are adequately trained and equipped to support merchants.
• Manage relationships with key merchant aggregators and business partners
• Deliver agreed merchant acquisition, activation, transaction volume, and revenue targets.
• Analyze merchant performance data and provide actionable insights.
• Develop initiatives to improve merchant profitability and lifetime value.
• Track key KPIs and present performance reports to senior management.
• Champion a superior merchant experience across all touchpoints.
• Identify and resolve merchant pain points.
• Ensure timely resolution of merchant complaints and inquiries.
• Gather merchant feedback and recommend product improvements.
• Drive the introduction of value-added services such as Merchant Loans, Working Capital Solutions and Loyalty and Rewards Programs
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Implement controls to mitigate fraud and operational risks.
• Ensure adherence to KYC and merchant onboarding standards.
• Monitor suspicious activities and escalate appropriately

• Merchant Acquisition
• Payments
• Agency Banking
• Distribution Management
• Product Commercialization
• Business Development
• Sales Strategy
• Market Analysis
• Customer Relationship Management
• Risk Management
• Compliance
• Financial Services
• Mobile Money
• Fintech
• Telecommunications
• Digital Financial Services

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Commerce, or related field.
• Master’s Degree or MBA is an added advantage.