Job Title:

Founding Growth & Partnerships Lead – Kenya

Our Mission

At Surge Africa, we are revolutionizing international supplier payments for African businesses. Many MSMEs struggle to pay their international suppliers due to high fees, slow transaction times, and complex banking requirements. Our mobile app enables African businesses to pay their global suppliers quickly, securely, and at a fraction of the cost—helping them grow and compete in global markets.

We’re growing fast, and Kenya is a critical market in our journey. If you're passionate about empowering businesses, building trust with trader communities, and driving financial inclusion—this role is for you.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Founding Growth & Partnerships Lead to drive our customer acquisition efforts and establish our presence in Kenya.

You’ll be on the frontlines—meeting with MSMEs, explaining how Surge Africa works, guiding them through their first international payment, and building deep trust with the business community. As our first hire on the ground, you’ll not only execute growth initiatives but help shape our strategy and lay the foundation for future expansion.

This is a rare opportunity to join an early-stage startup, take real ownership, and play a key role in building something that makes a tangible difference.

What You’ll Do

• Acquire and onboard MSMEs, traders and importers who need international supplier payment solutions.
• Personally guide businesses through their first transaction, ensuring a smooth, trusted, and successful experience.
• Build strong relationships with business owners, trader communities, and local associations to position Surge Africa as the go-to solution.
• Drive referrals and organic growth through partnerships, word-of-mouth, and influencer collaboration.
• Educate MSMEs on how international payments work and how Surge Africa simplifies the process.
• Experiment, iterate, and improve the customer acquisition playbook based on direct feedback.
• Shape our Kenya growth strategy and eventually help recruit and lead a local team.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years in sales, partnerships, growth marketing, or business development—ideally in fintech, payments, or MSME-focused services.
• Deep knowledge of Kenya’s MSME landscape—especially trader and importer/exporter networks.
• Experience working directly with customers in an early-stage startup.
• Hands-on and scrappy—you’re ready to knock on doors, make calls, and close deals.
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility in local business communities.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a growth mindset—you learn fast and act faster.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Fluent in English and Swahili.

Why Join Us

• Equity—own a meaningful stake in the company’s success.
• Lead Kenya’s market launch and help shape our go-to-market strategy.
• Real impact—empower MSMEs to grow through seamless cross-border payments.
• Remote-friendly with in-person engagement across Kenya.
• Work alongside a team of fintech leaders from Onafriq, Terrapay, and more.

Ready to help MSMEs grow, get hands-on, and lead our Kenya expansion? Let’s talk.