Open to opportunities

Kiénou Nestor

@kinounestor

I lead innovation and backend/API engineering to deliver BCEAO-compliant financial platforms and SaaS products across West Africa.

Burkina Faso

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead innovation and deliver production-grade backend/API platforms—building compliant fintech integrations, automating critical workflows, and partnering closely with stakeholders to ship measurable digital services.

I’m a software engineer turned innovation leader with over six years building business-critical financial systems. I currently lead innovation and digital development at a West African microfinance institution, where I previously engineered Core Banking, mobile money, and BCEAO-compliant interoperability platforms.

In my role, I identify and scope innovation opportunities with measurable business value and drive initiatives from feasibility study through production deployment. I manage the digital project portfolio, coordinate release cycles, and act as the primary liaison between engineering teams, business units, and external technology partners.

My edge is deep backend architecture and API integration paired with process automation using Java, Python, and n8n. I’ve integrated mobile money services (Orange Money, Moov Money, INTERCO), connected cash deposit terminals to core systems for real-time processing, automated core banking migration, built analytics pipelines, and delivered platforms like ACEPDIGITAL and transactional SMS banking—while also founding and running Dabou's Technologies to ship SaaS for SMBs across West Africa.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Head of Innovation & Development

Current

ACEP Burkina

Jul 2026 - Present (0 months)

Leads innovation strategy and digital service development for a microfinance institution, from identifying opportunities to production deployment. Manages the digital project portfolio and coordinates teams through release cycles while liaising with business units and external technology partners.

Innovation Strategy Service Development Project Portfolio Management Release Cycles Stakeholder Management

Current

Founder & Developer

Current

Dabou's Technologies

Aug 2021 - Present (4 years 11 months)

Founder and developer running an independent software company that builds SaaS products and custom applications for businesses across West Africa. Owns the full product lifecycle from requirements scoping and architecture to deployment and ongoing maintenance.

SaaS Product Development Custom Application Development Scoping Software Architecture Deployment Maintenance

IT Developer, Financial Systems

ACEP Burkina

Nov 2022 - Jun 2026 (3 years 7 months)

Built backend services to support BCEAO-compliant interoperability and integrated mobile money providers via secure APIs. Led automation efforts for core banking migration and implemented automated data pipelines and business workflows, including ACEPDIGITAL and SMS banking notifications.

Java Spring Boot N8n REST APIs BCEAO Interoperability Standards API Integration Orange Money Moov Money Python Core Banking Migration Automation Data Pipelines Workflow Automation Loan Default Reclassification Savings Account Provisioning ACEPDIGITAL SMS Banking Notifications

Developer, Internship

Hiadon Digital

Jul 2020 - Jun 2021 (11 months)

Developed management applications for inventory, invoicing, and refund processing. Contributed to the EPME CRM platform for small and medium businesses.

Inventory Management Invoicing Refund Processing CRM Development Application Development