In a pivotal development for African digital payments, Flutterwave has unveiled a new partnership enabling Nigerian online merchants to process American Express transactions. This strategic initiative, which underscores the company’s commitment to expanding payment solutions across Africa, will subsequently roll out to Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda.
The collaboration empowers Flutterwave’s merchant network to accept payments from the complete spectrum of American Express Card Members, encompassing consumer, business, and corporate cardholders. This enhancement marks a significant stride in bridging African commerce with international payment networks, creating new opportunities for cross-border transactions.
The partnership builds upon Flutterwave’s established market presence, demonstrated by its processing of more than 630 million transactions exceeding USD $31 billion in value. Through its unified API platform, which serves prominent clients including Uber and Air Peace, the company has proven its capacity to manage diverse transaction types across multiple sectors.
This strategic alliance delivers substantial advantages for the digital commerce landscape. Merchants operating on Flutterwave’s platform gain direct access to American Express’s extensive cardholder network, both within Africa and globally. Concurrently, American Express strengthens its footprint in African markets by expanding the number of locations where cardholders can conduct transactions.
Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Flutterwave’s founder and CEO, articulated how this development aligns with their mission to connect African commerce with global markets. He emphasized the significance of providing diverse payment options while enabling businesses to broaden their customer reach. The integration particularly benefits e-commerce operations by creating a more streamlined payment process for American Express cardholders.
The arrangement presents 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 mutually beneficial. She highlighted how the collaboration advances American Express’s African expansion strategy 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 card acceptance points within Nigeria.
This development represents a significant advancement in African e-commerce capabilities, reflecting Flutterwave’s 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. The partnership demonstrates how strategic alliances can enhance payment accessibility while supporting the growth of cross-border digital trade.