Flutterwave, the continent’s premier payments technology firm, has announced a pivotal partnership with American Express in a game-changing development for Nigeria’s digital economy. The collaboration revealed on August 20, 2024, enables Flutterwave’s online merchants in Nigeria to process American Express payments, marking a significant leap forward in cross-border transactions.

Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola shared his excitement about the new initiative, emphasizing its role in bridging Africa with global markets through innovative payment solutions. “This partnership represents our ongoing commitment to connecting Africa to the world through seamless financial transactions,” Agboola remarked, highlighting Flutterwave’s mission to facilitate international commerce for African enterprises.

The newly introduced functionality allows American Express Card Members to transact directly with Nigerian e-commerce businesses via the Flutterwave platform, whether they hold consumer, business, or corporate cards. While initially focused on Nigeria, this service is slated to expand to Flutterwave merchants in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda shortly.

For Flutterwave’s merchant network, this alliance opens doors to an expansive customer base of American Express Card Members across Africa and beyond. The integration caters to individual consumers with personal cards and corporate entities, subject to specific terms and conditions.

The Flutterwave CEO underscored the dual benefits of this collaboration. “By incorporating American Express as a payment option, we’re not only simplifying transactions for cardholders but also enhancing the capabilities of e-commerce businesses using our platform,” Agboola explained. He further noted that this move provides American Express cardholders worldwide with a broader range of shopping options and merchants to engage with.

From American Express’s perspective, this partnership aligns with its strategy to strengthen its foothold in Africa. Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, commented on the mutually beneficial collaboration. “This agreement with Flutterwave, a trusted payment provider, allows us to offer Nigerian e-commerce merchants access to our global network of Card Members while simultaneously expanding the number of locations where our customers can use their cards in Nigeria,” Wilsey stated.

The announcement by the Flutterwave CEO reinforces the company’s position as a crucial link between African businesses and international markets. Flutterwave’s technology enables local and cross-border transactions through a unified API, processing over 630 million transactions worth more than $31 billion. The company serves diverse clientele across various sectors, including major players like Uber and Air Peace.

This latest development adds to Flutterwave’s comprehensive suite of payment options, which already encompasses local and international cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, and Google Pay. With a presence in 34 African countries, Flutterwave continues to solidify its standing as a critical player in the continent’s fintech landscape.

As Flutterwave CEO Agboola and his team move forward with this strategic partnership, the initiative is expected to significantly boost e-commerce growth in Nigeria and, eventually, across other African nations. By closing the gap between local businesses and global payment systems, Flutterwave empowers African merchants to “start locally and sell globally,” as Agboola aptly put it.

The collaboration between Flutterwave and American Express represents a milestone in African fintech, promising to revolutionize how Nigerian businesses engage with international markets. It underscores Flutterwave’s commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of digital commerce across the continent.

As the African e-commerce sector continues to evolve, partnerships between Flutterwave and American Express will likely play a crucial role in driving growth and fostering global economic integration. With the Flutterwave CEO at the helm, the company appears well-positioned to lead the charge in transforming Africa’s digital payment landscape, one transaction at a time.