Visa Appoints Michael Berner as Head of Southern and Eastern Africa
Visa has announced the appointment of Michael Berner as the new Head of Southern and Eastern Africa (SEA), overseeing operations in 24 markets.
He will report to Andrew Torre, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), and remain a key part of the CEMEA leadership team.
Berner, an experienced 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 was a 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, who holds a master’s degree in financial management from Moscow Automobile and Road Institute, has also completed postgraduate programs at Columbia Business School, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University.
Reflecting 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.
