In a milestone development for African digital payments, Flutterwave has announced the implementation of American Express payment acceptance for online merchants in Nigeria. This strategic partnership signifies a substantial advancement in cross-border commerce capabilities, with planned expansion to encompass merchants in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda.
The collaboration enables Flutterwave’s merchant network to process transactions from all American Express Card Member categories, including consumer, business, and corporate cardholders. This enhancement represents a significant step in connecting African businesses with global payment networks, facilitating seamless international transactions.
With a demonstrated history of processing over 630 million transactions exceeding USD $31 billion in value, Flutterwave has established itself as a cornerstone of African payment technology. The company’s unified API platform serves distinguished clients such as Uber and Air Peace, showcasing its capability to manage diverse transaction types across multiple industries.
The partnership creates substantial value for all participants in the digital commerce ecosystem. Merchants utilizing Flutterwave’s platform 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, articulated the partnership’s strategic importance in bridging African commerce with global markets. He emphasized their commitment to providing flexible payment options while enabling merchants to expand their customer reach. The integration particularly enhances e-commerce operations by streamlining payment processes and supporting business growth across local and international markets.
This strategic alliance delivers mutual benefits 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, 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 creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers. The collaboration enables Nigerian e-commerce merchants to reach American Express cardholders worldwide while increasing payment acceptance points within Nigeria.
This development marks a significant milestone in African e-commerce capabilities, demonstrating Flutterwave’s ongoing 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 collaborations can enhance payment accessibility while supporting the growth of cross-border digital trade in emerging markets.
