Trade Finance and Export Partnerships Manager

Job Summary We’re looking for an experienced Trade Finance & Export Partnerships Manager to drive exporter acquisition, manage strategic relationships, and design tailored financial products for our customers.

Umba has a suite of products including term loans, trade finance, FX services and international money transfer services.

This role is highly commercial — you will leverage your existing network of exporters to bring business onto our rails quickly, while collaborating with product and compliance teams to deliver world-class service.

About Umba Umba is a pan-African digital bank serving customers in both Kenya and Nigeria.

Our mission entails providing accessible and cost-effective financial services across Africa, enabling our customers to take charge of their financial well-being.

We are committed to seizing a unique opportunity to transform the financial landscape in Africa by harnessing the power of machine learning to develop intelligent, affordable financial products tailored for emerging markets.

Our machine learning models are continuously improving, and we leverage AI and automation to deliver banking solutions at the lowest possible cost to our expanding customer base.

Umba is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya.

Our primary focus is to offer a comprehensive range of digital banking products through Android, iOS and Web Apps, and we take pride in our culture of consistently surpassing customer expectations, which has fueled our rapid expansion.

Umba acquired a deposit taking microfinance bank in Kenya in 2023, which has now been named Umba Microfinance Bank.

The bank has achieved fast growth since launch with average monthly growth rate of 19% and 6x revenue growth in 2024.

We are actively seeking outstanding individuals who not only possess exceptional talent but also share our vision, determination, and sense of purpose.

Join us in our endeavor to establish the best digital bank in Africa.

Responsibilities Client Acquisition : Source, onboard, and manage relationships with Kenyan exporters in target sectors (floriculture, coffee / tea, apparel, handicrafts, agriculture).

Ideally selling to the US.

Partnership Development : Build relationships with export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, freight forwarders, and trade associations to generate leads.

Deal Structuring : Work with product and credit teams to design invoice financing, payment acceleration, and FX solutions tailored to exporters’ needs.

Market Intelligence : Provide insights into exporter pain points, competitor offerings, and opportunities for Umba to differentiate.

Compliance Liaison : Coordinate with legal / compliance teams to ensure onboarding aligns with CBK FX rules and export documentation requirements.

Revenue Growth : Deliver measurable inflow targets and customer retention rates.

Qualifications and Skills 5+ years in trade finance, SME banking, or exporter relations.

Strong personal network of exporters, particularly in floriculture, coffee, tea, apparel, and agriculture.

Track record in structuring trade finance products or facilitating cross-border payments.

Understanding of CBK regulations on FX and export documentation.

Proven ability to meet or exceed commercial targets.

Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.

Nice to Have Experience with digital trade finance platforms (e.g., dltledgers, Bolero, Komgo).

Prior work at a bank, development finance institution, or large export house.

Familiarity with stable coins or blockchain-based cross-border payments.

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