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

Head of Legal, Regulatory & Compliance – Financial Services, West Africa LocationNigeria; GhanaEmployment TypeFull timeDepartmentCorporateLARCWe 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.The regulatory architecture for digital finance in West Africa is being built right nowThat 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 7 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.What this role carriesThis 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.  What this role requiresA 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 nowAt 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.Recognized four times by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing companies (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026) and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024 , we've served over 7 million customers, unlocking $1.5 billion in cumulative credit for the unbanked across Africa.Important NoticeM-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged...