In a significant development for African digital commerce, Flutterwave has launched a strategic initiative enabling Nigerian online merchants to process American Express payments. This collaboration represents a substantial advancement in cross-border payment capabilities, with plans to extend services to additional markets including Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda.
The integration positions Flutterwave’s merchant network to accept transactions from the complete spectrum of American Express Card Members, spanning consumer, business, and corporate cardholders. This enhancement signifies a major step forward in connecting African businesses with global payment networks, facilitating seamless international transactions.
Building on its established market presence, Flutterwave has demonstrated significant processing capabilities, managing more than 630 million transactions with a combined value exceeding USD $31 billion. Through its unified API platform, which serves prominent clients including Uber and Air Peace, the company showcases its ability to handle diverse transaction types across multiple sectors.
This strategic partnership creates substantial value throughout the digital commerce ecosystem. Merchants operating through Flutterwave gain direct access to American Express’s extensive cardholder network, both within Africa and globally. Concurrently, 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 strategic importance in bridging African commerce with global markets. He highlighted their commitment to 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 across both local and international markets.
The arrangement delivers significant advantages for both organizations. For Flutterwave, it reinforces its position as a comprehensive payment solutions provider while enhancing its service portfolio. American Express gains expanded presence in African markets, offering its cardholders broader payment acceptance across the continent.
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, characterized the partnership as strategically valuable, noting how it advances American Express’s African expansion while providing enhanced payment options for businesses and consumers. The initiative enables Nigerian e-commerce merchants to connect with American Express cardholders globally while increasing payment acceptance points within Nigeria.
This development represents a significant milestone in African e-commerce capabilities, demonstrating Flutterwave’s ongoing dedication to expanding payment options and facilitating international 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.
