In a significant advancement for digital payments in Africa, Flutterwave has established a groundbreaking partnership enabling Nigerian online merchants to accept American Express payments. This strategic collaboration marks a transformative moment in cross-border commerce, with plans to extend services to Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda in the coming period.
The integration empowers Flutterwave’s merchant network to process payments from all categories of American Express Card Members, encompassing consumer, business, and corporate cardholders. This development substantially enhances the payment infrastructure connecting African businesses with global consumers, facilitating seamless international transactions.
As a testament to its market leadership, Flutterwave has demonstrated remarkable transaction processing capabilities, handling over 630 million transactions valued at more than USD $31 billion. The company’s sophisticated unified API platform serves prominent clients including Uber and Air Peace, showcasing its ability to manage diverse transaction types across multiple sectors.
The partnership delivers substantial benefits throughout the digital commerce ecosystem. Merchants operating through Flutterwave gain access to American Express’s extensive cardholder network, both within Africa and internationally. Simultaneously, American Express strengthens its African market presence by expanding the locations where cardholders can conduct transactions.
Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, founder and CEO of Flutterwave, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with their mission to facilitate connections between African and global commerce. He highlighted the importance of providing merchants with expanded payment options while enabling business growth through enhanced customer reach. The collaboration particularly benefits e-commerce operations by streamlining payment processes and supporting expansion in both local and international markets.
The arrangement presents significant advantages for both organizations. For Flutterwave, it reinforces its position as a comprehensive payment solutions provider while enhancing its service offerings. American Express gains expanded presence in African markets, providing its cardholders with broader payment acceptance across the continent.
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, underscored the partnership’s strategic value, noting how it advances American Express’s African expansion while providing enhanced payment options for businesses and consumers. The collaboration enables Nigerian e-commerce merchants to reach American Express cardholders globally while increasing payment acceptance points within Nigeria.
This development marks a significant milestone in African e-commerce capabilities, demonstrating Flutterwave’s commitment to expanding payment options and facilitating cross-border trade. Through this collaboration, both companies contribute to the evolution of Africa’s digital payment ecosystem while creating new opportunities for merchants and consumers engaged in digital commerce. The partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances can enhance payment accessibility while supporting the growth of digital trade in emerging markets.
