NjiaPay Bolsters Leadership with Appointment of Mike McLaren as Chief Operating Officer
NjiaPay, a rapidly emerging force in the African fintech landscape, has announced the strategic appointment of Mike McLaren as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This significant leadership addition comes as NjiaPay enters a pivotal growth phase, signaling its intent to further solidify its position in the South African market and spearhead its ambitious expansion across the African continent. McLaren’s extensive background in fintech and payments, particularly within the African context, makes him a crucial asset for the company’s future trajectory.
A Strategic Addition for African Fintech Expansion
Mike McLaren brings a wealth of experience to NjiaPay, having most recently served as General Counsel at Stitch, one of South Africa’s leading payment service providers (PSPs). During his tenure at Stitch, McLaren played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s legal, regulatory, and compliance functions, demonstrating a deep understanding of the intricate operational requirements within the payments sector. Furthermore, his involvement was instrumental in the successful closure of Stitch’s $55 million Series B funding round, showcasing his capability to contribute to high-stakes strategic initiatives. His proven expertise aligns perfectly with NjiaPay’s current objectives to accelerate its payment management capabilities for South African online businesses while simultaneously laying the groundwork for broader African expansion. Jonatan Allback, CEO & co-founder of NjiaPay, underscored the importance of this appointment, stating, “Bringing Mike on board is a major milestone for NjiaPay. His experience at Stitch, combined with his business, legal and operational acumen, will be invaluable as we scale NjiaPay’s platform and enter new markets.” NjiaPay, having successfully launched at the beginning of 2025 and secured a $1.3 million pre-seed round in January, is clearly poised for significant advancement, making McLaren’s operational leadership invaluable.
McLaren’s appointment is a clear indicator of NjiaPay’s commitment to building a robust operational framework necessary to support its rapid growth and market entry strategies. His deep understanding of regulatory landscapes and payment infrastructure will be critical as the company navigates the complexities of scaling its platform and delivering innovative payment solutions to more businesses across Africa. This strategic move is set to empower NjiaPay to execute its vision with greater efficiency and regulatory foresight.
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