Otto Abasi Williams is a respected global executive in the world of digital payments and financial technology. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, Regional Head, and General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at PayPal, where he leads efforts to expand inclusive digital payment solutions for consumers and businesses across more than 70 countries. In this role, Otto works closely with financial institutions, fintech companies, governments, and technology partners to grow revenue, drive innovation, and deepen digital commerce across emerging and advanced markets.
Before joining PayPal, Otto held senior leadership positions at Visa, including Head of Product, Partnerships, and Digital Solutions for the Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) region. There, he oversaw the commercialization and growth of Visa’s digital products, working with banks and fintechs to implement strategic payment solutions and accelerate digital transformation. Otto’s career spans multiple regions, including the USA, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, demonstrating his wide-reaching expertise in fintech innovation, digital payments, and strategic partnerships.
Known for his strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Otto has been instrumental in launching programs that support fintech growth, enhance financial inclusion, and scale digital payment adoption. His work emphasizes building meaningful partnerships and unlocking opportunities that connect millions of users and organizations to modern financial infrastructure.
Beyond his executive roles, Otto Abasi Williams is widely recognized as a thought leader in global fintech, particularly in the areas of digital transformation, cross-border payments, and financial inclusion. His work sits at the intersection of technology, regulation, and commerce, where he helps markets leapfrog traditional financial systems into modern, scalable digital ecosystems.
Otto has played a critical role in shaping payment infrastructure across Africa and the Middle East, regions with rapidly growing digital economies and unique regulatory landscapes. By aligning global payment platforms with local market realities, he has helped unlock access to digital commerce for startups, SMEs, and multinational enterprises alike. His leadership has contributed to increased participation in the global economy for millions of underserved users.
A strong advocate for fintech collaboration, Otto frequently emphasizes the importance of partnerships between banks, fintech startups, regulators, and global technology companies. He believes sustainable innovation happens when ecosystems, not just companies, are built, and his career reflects a consistent commitment to long-term value creation over short-term gains.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Otto is a sought-after speaker and advisor, contributing insights on the future of payments, digital identity, and inclusive finance at global industry forums. His perspective is shaped by hands-on experience across multiple continents, giving him a rare ability to connect global strategy with local execution.
At his core, Otto Abasi Williams represents a new generation of global leaders, strategic, culturally fluent, and purpose-driven, using technology to bridge gaps, expand opportunity, and redefine how money moves in a digital world.
