In a significant move for African digital payments, Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola revealed a groundbreaking partnership enabling Nigerian online merchants to accept American Express payments. The announcement, made by Flutterwave, Africa’s premier payments technology company, marks a substantial expansion in payment options for e-commerce businesses across Nigeria.
Under this new collaboration, American Express cardholders will enjoy direct payment capabilities to Nigerian online businesses through Flutterwave’s platform. The service accommodates various American Express card types, including consumer, business, and corporate cards, with plans to extend the functionality to other African nations such as Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda in coming months.
The partnership represents a strategic advancement in Flutterwave’s mission to bridge global commerce with African markets. According to Flutterwave CEO Agboola, the initiative reflects their commitment to expanding payment accessibility across the continent. “We’re constantly seeking innovative ways to connect Africa with the world through payments,” Agboola emphasized, highlighting how the partnership will streamline transactions for American Express cardholders while enhancing the operational capabilities of businesses using Flutterwave’s services.
For Nigerian merchants utilizing Flutterwave’s platform, the integration opens doors to an entirely new customer segment, comprising American Express Card Members both within Africa and internationally. This expansion particularly benefits businesses targeting corporate and business card users, though specific terms and conditions apply to these transactions.
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration’s potential impact. She noted that the partnership strengthens American Express’s African presence while providing their cardholders with expanded purchasing options in Nigeria. The arrangement effectively increases American Express’s footprint across Africa, enabling cardholders to access a wider range of products and services through Flutterwave-powered businesses.
The collaboration between Flutterwave and American Express represents more than just a technical integration; it symbolizes a significant step toward increasing Africa’s participation in global e-commerce. Through Flutterwave’s platform, Nigerian businesses gain access to international markets and diverse payment methods, supporting their growth from local operations to global enterprises.
This development aligns with Flutterwave’s track record of processing over 630 million transactions exceeding $31 billion, serving prominent global and African clients across various sectors. The company’s ability to connect businesses with multiple payment types has been crucial to its expansion strategy, now further enhanced by the American Express partnership.
The implementation of this service marks another milestone in American Express’s 50-year presence in Africa, where their products are currently available in more than 40 countries through various partnerships and direct issuance programs. For Flutterwave’s merchant network, this integration means simplified payment processing, enhanced customer reach, and improved business efficiency.
As digital commerce continues to evolve across Africa, partnerships like this between Flutterwave and American Express demonstrate the growing sophistication of the continent’s payment infrastructure. The collaboration not only benefits Nigerian merchants and American Express cardholders but also contributes to the broader goal of creating a more interconnected global marketplace where African businesses can compete effectively on the international stage.
The move reinforces Flutterwave’s position as a leading force in African financial technology, while providing practical solutions for businesses looking to expand their payment acceptance capabilities and customer base. Through this strategic partnership, both companies are working to remove traditional barriers to international commerce and create new opportunities for growth in the African e-commerce sector.
