In a significant development for African e-commerce, Flutterwave has unveiled a strategic partnership with American Express that promises to reshape the digital payment landscape in Nigeria and beyond. The announcement, delivered by Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, marks a pivotal moment in the company’s mission to bridge international payment systems with African markets.
The collaboration enables Flutterwave’s online merchants in Nigeria to accept payments from American Express Card Members, encompassing personal, business, and corporate cardholders. This integration represents a substantial expansion of payment options for Nigerian e-commerce businesses, with plans to extend these capabilities to merchants in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda in the near future.
Under the leadership of Flutterwave CEO Agboola, the company has established itself as Africa’s premier payments technology provider, processing an impressive volume of over 630 million transactions valued at more than USD $31 billion. This track record has positioned Flutterwave as a crucial facilitator of cross-border commerce, serving prominent clients such as Uber and Air Peace through its unified API platform.
The partnership delivers multiple advantages for both merchants and consumers. Flutterwave merchants gain access to American Express’s extensive network of cardholders across Africa and globally, while shoppers benefit from increased payment flexibility. This collaboration strengthens American Express’s presence in African markets while expanding the number of locations where their Card Members can make purchases.
Speaking about the initiative, Flutterwave CEO Agboola emphasized the company’s commitment to connecting global markets with Africa through innovative payment solutions. “This partnership represents our ongoing effort to ensure more people worldwide can utilize Flutterwave for transactions in Africa,” he stated. “We recognize the importance of providing convenient payment options for customers while helping businesses expand their reach.”
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, characterized the partnership as mutually beneficial, noting that it simultaneously expands payment options for businesses and consumers while increasing American Express’s footprint in Nigeria.
The integration promises to streamline the payment process for American Express cardholders while enhancing the operational capabilities of e-commerce businesses using Flutterwave’s platform. This development aligns with Flutterwave’s strategy of enabling businesses to establish local operations while pursuing global market opportunities.
This news follows Flutterwave’s recent achievements, including obtaining a Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana and expanding its services into Mozambique, demonstrating the company’s continued growth across the African continent. Through its comprehensive payment infrastructure spanning 34 African countries, Flutterwave continues to facilitate various transaction types, including local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and Google Pay.
The partnership represents another milestone in Flutterwave’s journey to create a more connected African payment ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a leading force in the continent’s financial technology sector.
