South Africa Country Head

About Wahed: The global financial system wasn't built for everyone. For millions of people, its reliance on interest (riba) creates a barrier to managing money and building wealth without compromising their values.   At Wahed, we're changing that. We are a global fintech company on a mission to build a new financial system—one that is ethical, accessible, and entirely interest-free. From our offices across the globe, our team is building products that were once deemed impossible, from pioneering Shariah-compliant equity ETFs, creating riba-free alternatives to high yield savings accounts, to creating no-leverage real estate investments for truly interest-free income producing assets. If you're driven to solve complex problems and believe finance should empower, not exclude, join us in building a more equitable financial future.   Job Brief: Wahed is entering one of the most strategically important and socially impactful markets in our global expansion journey: South Africa - a nation with deep financial inequality, a sophisticated financial ecosystem, and a growing appetite for values-based, ethical financial solutions.   We are seeking a mission-driven, commercially astute Country Head to build, launch, and scale Wahed South Africa from the ground up. This is a defining leadership opportunity to pioneer Islamic and ethical digital finance in a market where it can create outsized socioeconomic impact.   As the South Africa Country Head, you will be the principal architect of Wahed’s presence in the region. You will shape the country strategy, build foundational regulatory and industry relationships, and orchestrate a high-stakes, multi-workstream market launch. This includes leading the localization of our product offering, building our operational footprint, and establishing Wahed as a trusted, compliant, and high-integrity financial provider in the country.This is a role for someone who thrives in emerging markets, understands the nuance of regulated financial ecosystems, and is energized by the challenge of shaping a market from zero to scale. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be accountable for delivering a successful market entry, ensuring operational resilience, and driving sustainable customer growth in South Africa.