Gillian Koinange Named Head of Business Development for EA at Cross Switch

Cross Switch has strengthened its leadership team in East Africa with the appointment of Gillian Koinange as Head of Business Development, East Africa — a move that signals the company’s growing ambition to expand its influence across one of Africa’s most dynamic digital payments markets. This strategic appointment reinforces Cross Switch’s commitment to accelerating growth, deepening regional partnerships, and advancing the adoption of innovative payment solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers alike.

With more than two decades of experience across Africa, Gillian brings a proven track record in driving revenue growth, building strategic partnerships, and delivering commercial success in highly competitive markets. Her expertise spans key sectors including IT, telecommunications, fintech, and SaaS — industries that continue to shape Africa’s digital transformation journey. She is widely recognized for scaling pan-African portfolios, leading high-performing teams, and navigating complex market environments with measurable results.

In her new role, Gillian will focus on expanding Cross Switch’s footprint across East Africa, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and driving wider adoption of the company’s payment technologies. Her leadership is expected to play a critical role in positioning Cross Switch as a trusted payments enabler in the region, especially as demand grows for seamless, secure, and scalable digital financial solutions. This appointment comes at a time when East Africa continues to emerge as a strategic hub for fintech innovation and cross-border commerce.

Her previous leadership roles, including overseeing new sales initiatives across Africa and managing strategic global client relationships at PayU in Nairobi, demonstrate her ability to negotiate high-value contracts and cultivate long-term partnerships. Beyond her professional achievements, Gillian’s client-centric mindset, regional expertise, and commitment to innovation make her a strong fit for Cross Switch’s vision of delivering high standards in service and technology-led transformation.

Gillian Koinange’s appointment underscores Cross Switch’s broader strategy of investing in leadership that can unlock sustainable growth and drive meaningful impact in Africa’s evolving payments ecosystem. As digital transactions continue to define the future of commerce, strong leadership at the regional level will be essential in building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial infrastructure. This move places Cross Switch in a stronger position to contribute to the next phase of fintech advancement across East Africa.