Mastercard announced the appointment of Folasade Femi-Lawal as the new Country Manager for Nigeria and Area Business Head for West Africa, according to a statement Technext disclosed on Tuesday.
Folasade, with her rich background of over 25 years in financial services, management consulting, telecommunications, and business advisory services, is set to bring a deep reservoir of knowledge and expertise to her new position.
In her role as Country Manager, she will be instrumental in propelling Mastercard’s strategic vision, innovation, and growth efforts in West Africa. Her duties will focus on enhancing partnerships with key stakeholders and furthering Mastercard’s goal to foster a more interconnected and inclusive digital economy within the region.
Examining her notable leadership roles at First Bank of Nigeria, she spearheaded successful initiatives in Mobile Financial Services and Digital Banking Strategy. Before that, she held the position of Head of the Loan Monitoring Unit at the United Bank for Africa, showcasing her expertise in credit risk management.
Mastercard’s Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mark Elliott, expressed enthusiasm about Folasade’s joining, stating: “We are thrilled to have Folasade join our team. Her extensive background in the digital payments sector is a significant advantage for Mastercard’s operations in West Africa.
Folasade’s arrival is timely, coinciding with digital innovations reshaping Nigeria’s payment sector towards a cashless society. She will collaborate closely with both private and public sector partners in Nigeria to advance this shift. Her distinguished history of leadership, innovation, and commitment to effecting positive change and achieving results is in perfect harmony with our goals for the region.”
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Folasade is celebrated for her dedication to promoting inclusive growth and empowering women and children. She has been deeply involved in philanthropy and mentoring through her work with organizations such as Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WimBiz) and the United States White House Initiative’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).
Mastercard is at the forefront of financial inclusion, economic empowerment, digital transformation, and innovation, thanks to its commitment to excellence and its development of groundbreaking solutions, partnerships, and initiatives.
The newly appointed Country Manager for Mastercard in West Africa, Folasade Femi-Lawal
She continued, “I am deeply honored to assume this position and eagerly anticipate collaborating with the exceptional Mastercard team, along with our customers, clients, and partners, to redefine the future of payments and champion digital transformation and inclusion.”
Folasade is keen to contribute to the Nigerian government’s vision of creating a robust, inclusive, and secure digital economy. She is excited about the prospect of enhancing Mastercard’s footprint and delivering unmatched value to clients and customers.
Among her numerous awards, Folasade Femi-Lawal has received the Outstanding Women in Management award from the United Nations Association in Nigeria and has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Management in Africa by Women in Management Africa. She is a member of the Forbes Business Development Council and recently served as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Committee of eBusiness Industry Heads (CEBIH). Outside of her professional achievements, Folasade enjoys singing, writing, and cherishing moments with her family.
