Visa Will Appoint New Central Asia Regional Manager
Salima Gutiyeva will lead digital payment expansion and merchant cooperation across the region starting in December.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
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Visa has appointed Salima Gutiyeva as its vice president and regional manager for Central Asia, effective 1 December 2026. She will transition from her current role leading the company's business in the United Arab Emirates.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a strategic focus on scaling digital payment infrastructure and banking partnerships in Central Asia. Gutiyeva brings over two decades of experience with the global payments processor to the role.
Salima Gutiyeva brings a 20-year career at Visa to her new leadership role in Central Asia. She has overseen the company's business in the United Arab Emirates since 2022.
The players
Visa
A global payments technology company that facilitates electronic funds transfers through its branded credit, debit, and prepaid cards.
Salima Gutiyeva
A long-time executive who has led Visa's UAE operations since 2022 and will become the regional manager for Central Asia.
Sanjar Suleymanov
The outgoing regional manager for Central Asia at Visa.
The details
In her new capacity, Gutiyeva will focus on promoting technological solutions and deepening the integration of digital payments among regional banks and merchants. She replaces Sanjar Suleymanov, the outgoing regional manager, to manage the company's operational growth in the market. Her mandate includes expanding cooperative frameworks that support local merchant adoption of Visa systems.
Timeline
Salima Gutiyeva began leading Visa's business in the UAE in 2022.
Gutiyeva officially assumes the new regional manager position on 1 December 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows the documented industry trend of payment networks prioritizing localized leadership to accelerate digital adoption in emerging markets. It aligns with broader efforts by global financial services firms to navigate local compliance and banking landscapes in Central Asia.
Business operators in Central Asia should track this leadership change for potential updates to merchant service terms or new digital payment rollouts. Regional firms relying on Visa infrastructure should evaluate how Gutiyeva’s prior focus in the UAE may influence future local service strategies.
The takeaway
The appointment of a long-term veteran indicates Visa is prioritizing institutional experience to drive its regional growth strategy. Operators should prepare for new partnership models and digital payment solutions as the company transitions to new regional leadership this December.
Further reading
For broader trends in executive leadership shifts, visit our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UzDaily.
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