Visa has announced the appointment of Michael Berner as the new Head of Southern and Eastern Africa (SEA), where he will oversee operations across 24 markets. Berner will report to Andrew Torre, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), and will remain a key member of the CEMEA leadership team.
Berner, a seasoned financial services executive, has been with Visa since 2019, previously serving as Senior Vice President, Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring for CEMEA. Prior to joining Visa, he held the role of Managing Director and Executive Board Member at Citibank Russia.
Expressing confidence in Berner’s leadership, Torre stated, “Southern and Eastern Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing payments regions, home to impactful digital payment innovations. With Michael’s expertise, we look forward to advancing our strategic goals and strengthening partnerships across the region.”
Berner holds a master’s degree in financial management from Moscow Automobile and Road Institute and has completed postgraduate programs at Columbia Business School, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University.
Commenting on his new role, Berner said, “I am excited to lead Visa’s SEA team and collaborate with partners, financial institutions, and governments to drive financial inclusion and introduce innovative payment solutions.”
Visa has operated in the SEA region for over 40 years, playing a crucial role in expanding digital payment accessibility and security across Africa.
