In a significant development for African digital commerce, Flutterwave has launched a new payment integration that enables Nigerian online merchants to accept American Express payments. The announcement represents a major step forward in connecting African businesses with global payment systems.
The collaboration establishes a direct payment channel between Flutterwave merchants and American Express Card Members, accommodating all card categories including consumer, business, and corporate cards. While initially launching in Nigeria, the service is set to expand across other African nations, with Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda slated for future implementation.
This strategic alliance emerges during a period of significant growth for Flutterwave, following their recent acquisition of an Enhanced Category Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana in early August 2024. This license empowers the company to operate independently of third-party services, marking another milestone in their expansion across African markets.
Through this integration, Flutterwave merchants gain access to a broader customer base, particularly tapping into American Express’s extensive network of cardholders across Africa and internationally. The partnership shows particular promise for businesses engaged in corporate and business transactions, while also serving personal cardholders.
The initiative has garnered strong support from leadership at both organizations. Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, who founded and leads Flutterwave as CEO, positioned the partnership as a crucial step in their mission to facilitate global payments across Africa. He emphasized how this integration streamlines transactions for American Express cardholders while enhancing capabilities for merchants using their platform.
At American Express, Briana Wilsey, who serves as Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA, described the partnership as advantageous for all parties involved. She highlighted the dual benefits: expanding payment options for Nigerian merchants while strengthening American Express’s presence in African markets.
The partnership builds upon Flutterwave’s established success in processing over 630 million transactions, with a cumulative value exceeding USD $31 billion. Their platform, which serves major clients including Uber and Air Peace, continues to demonstrate its versatility in handling various transaction types through a unified API system.
This development follows Flutterwave’s earlier initiatives in expanding payment options, including their 2021 partnership with PayPal. However, while the PayPal collaboration remains limited to certain African countries – notably excluding Nigeria – this American Express integration offers broader accessibility for Nigerian merchants.
The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, coming after Flutterwave’s expansion into Mozambique in May 2024. This continuous growth demonstrates their commitment to extending digital payment solutions across the African continent.
For African businesses, particularly those in Nigeria, this integration removes significant barriers to international trade. It simplifies cross-border transactions and provides local merchants with enhanced access to global markets. The partnership particularly benefits Nigerian businesses looking to expand their international presence while maintaining local operations.
This collaboration between Flutterwave and American Express represents more than just an additional payment option; it serves as a bridge connecting African commerce with global markets. By streamlining payment processes for both merchants and customers, it strengthens Africa’s position in the international digital marketplace while providing practical solutions for businesses aiming to operate on a global scale.
The partnership marks another step forward in Flutterwave’s mission to facilitate seamless payment solutions across Africa, enabling businesses to maintain local operations while accessing global opportunities.
