Research Lead - Customer Insights at M-KOPA Nigeria

M-KOPA is a fast-growing FinTech company offering millions of underbanked customers across Africa access to life-enhancing products and services. From our roots as the pioneer in pay-as-you-go “PayGo’” solar energy for off grid homes, we have grown into one of the most advanced connected asset financing platforms in the world, empowering a broad range of customers to achieve progress in their lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Lead - Customer Insights

Location: Lagos
Employment type: Full time (Hybrid)
Department: FintechTechnology

Job Description

• We're actively recruiting a Research Lead to drive user experience research across our growing Customer Insights team at M-KOPA.
• You'll run comprehensive research from start to finish, generating clear insights that guide product and experience decisions across African markets.

The Impact

• Your research will directly shape financial products used by millions of underserved Africans. We've already helped over 5 million customers access over $1.5 billion in credit. It's your chance to be part of something that's literally transforming lives across an entire continent

The Opportunity

• Mission-driven research: Every study you conduct helps make financial inclusion a reality for those traditionally excluded
• Global recognition: Join a company named by TIME 100 as one of the world's most influential and by the Financial Times as Africa's fastest-growing for 4 consecutive years (2022-2025)
• Scale challenges: Design research methodologies that work across 5 markets with over 3 million active customers
• Environmental impact: We're carbon-negative, having displaced over 2 million tonnes of emissions

What You'll Do

• At M-KOPA, you'll lead user research from discovery to delivery, transforming customer insights into product strategy. Our Customer Insights team owns research end-to-end – from study design to executive presentations.
• Join us in combining cutting-edge research methodologies with purpose-driven work that makes digital and financial inclusion possible across Africa.

Your Environment

• Research Methods: Qualitative research methodologies, in-depth interviews, usability testing
• Data Tools: Research design frameworks, data synthesis protocols, visualization tools
• Markets: Nigeria-based, supporting Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa
• Stakeholders: Product teams, executives, cross-functional partners

Our Research Approach:

• Evidence-based decision making that directly influences product strategy
• Systematic data synthesis frameworks for actionable insights
• Multi-market research expertise across diverse African contexts
• Collaborative approach with product and business teams
• Research standards that ensure rigour and consistency

What You Need

• The Research Lead will run user research from start to finish, based in Nigeria and supporting all M-KOPA markets, to generate clear insights that guide product and experience decisions.

Required Experience:

• Strong qualitative research methodologies, research design, and UXR data reporting with at least 2 years experience in User Experience Research
• Expertise in conducting in-depth interviews and usability testing
• Experience designing robust research studies with clear methodologies and sampling strategies
• Proven ability to transform raw research data into strategic recommendations

Why This Role Matters to You

• This role offers a unique opportunity to develop advanced research skills across multiple African markets, working with rich customer data and building strategic relationships with product leaders and executives.
• You'll contribute to shaping research practices, collaborate with team members to elevate research standards, and see insights translate into real-world impact.
• If you're passionate about using research to drive meaningful change in emerging markets while advancing your career in a fast-growing fintech company, this role provides the perfect platform to deepen your research expertise and make your mark on both customer experience and business strategy.

About Your Team

• The Customer Insights team is a 12-member research function that generates strategic customer insights to support product development and executive decision-making across all M-KOPA markets.
• The team consists of research associates and analysts with strong customer service backgrounds who are developing specialised research capabilities under UXR management leadership.
• We handle end-to-end research execution including survey design, data collection, customer behaviour analysis, and post-launch validations across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana.
• As an established team evolving toward more advanced research practices, we're looking for someone with formal research design and data synthesis expertise to strengthen our methodological capabilities.

Location & Benefits

• Hybrid role based in Nigeria - work flexibly while staying connected to local market realities
• Work with diverse teams across UK, Europe, and Africa
• Professional development programs and coaching partnerships
• Family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements
• Well-being support and career growth opportunities
• Opportunity to shape research practices across multiple markets

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• M-KOPA does not collect/charge any money as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement. This means that we never ask for ‘recruitment fees’, ‘processing fees’, ‘interview fees’, or any other kind of money in exchange for offer letters or interviews at any time during the hiring process.
• Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisting and interviews will take place at any stage during the recruitment process.
• We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected before the advertised closing date.