Head of Business Development - Nigeria

Job description

About Turaco Most people in Africa have never had insurance. Turaco exists to change that. Our mission is to relieve people from the fear of financial shocks. We do it by embedding affordable, simple insurance into the everyday transactions people already make, partnering with banks, MFIs, SACCOs, fintechs, and telcos that serve emerging consumers. Since launching in 2019, Turaco has reached over 7 million customers across Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, and Pakistan. In 2026, we were ranked 29th on the Financial Times Africa's Fastest Growing Companies list and won the Innovation of the Year Award at the prestigious African Insurance Awards. We are in the claims-paying business, and we take that promise seriously. Role Overview We are looking for a Head of Business Development to own growth across West Africa. This is not a relationship maintenance role. It is a builder role. You will be responsible for identifying, winning, and scaling high-value partnerships with financial institutions, MFIs, fintechs, telcos, and employers across Nigeria, Ghana, and other West African markets. You will own the full deal cycle from first conversation to live launch, and you will work closely with internal teams to ensure every partnership actually delivers for our customers. This is a high-stakes commercial role. We expect the person in this seat to be closing partnerships that generate above $1 million in GWP per quarter. If you have done that before and want to do it in a mission that matters, we want to talk to you. What you will do Own Regional Revenue Own the West Africa pipeline and take full accountability for hitting ambitious GWP and partnership targets, with a clear expectation of closing deals that generate above $1 million per quarter. Lead the end-to-end deal cycle: origination, qualification, pitching, negotiation, and handover to account management. Structure partnerships designed for long-term growth, not just launch. Build the Market Design and execute a West Africa go-to-market strategy aligned to Turaco's product capabilities and the specific dynamics of the region's markets. Identify and prioritize high-potential segments: microfinance, digital lending, saccos, telecoms, employer groups, and more. Provide market intelligence back to the product and commercial teams to sharpen pricing, product design, and competitive positioning. Lead Relationships at the Right Level Build and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, founders, and key regulators across the region. Navigate multi-stakeholder environments with patience and skill, unblocking deals where others get stuck. Represent Turaco at industry events and in regulatory conversations as a credible, trusted voice. Maintain Commercial Discipline Manage a clean, well-structured pipeline in our CRM with accurate forecasting. Standardize how opportunities are sourced, tracked, and handed over so nothing falls through the cracks. Systematically capture competitor and market data to inform company strategy. What Success Looks Like in Year One A qualified, active pipeline of at least 8 to 10 strategic partnership opportunities across Nigeria and Ghana. At least 2 to 3 new partnerships signed and generating above $1 million in GWP per quarter. Strong working relationships established with key regulators, underwriters, and distribution partners in the region. A clear market map that informs Turaco's 3-year West Africa growth strategy. Who You Are You have 7 to 12 years of experience in B2B sales or business development, with at least 3 of those years in financial services, insurance, fintech, or a related sector in West Africa. You have a personal track record of closing high-value deals, with individual partnerships generating $1 million or more in annual revenue. You understand the Nigerian and Ghanaian financial services ecosystem: who the key players are, how decisions get made, and how to navigate regulatory environments. You have closed complex, multi-stakeholder deals and can speak credibly to both a CFO and a compliance officer in the same meeting. You are comfortable with technology. Turaco's model is tech-integrated, and you should be able to explain API-driven distribution simply and confidently to a partner who has never done it before. You have an existing senior network in financial services, telecoms, or fintech in West Africa. You are a builder, not a maintainer. You do not wait for warm introductions. You live Turaco's values: pushing boundaries, working with excellence, and profound respect for the individual. Minimum qualification: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field. Our Culture Turaco is a fast-moving, mission-driven team. We push boundaries, hold ourselves to high standards, and genuinely believe that what we do matters for the people we serve. We are building a team where diverse backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Turaco values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We’re building a team where our differences enhance and strengthen us. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Compensation and Benefits Turaco offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package. You will be joining a company at an inflection point, with real opportunity to shape the direction of a fast-growing region.