In a significant development for African digital commerce, Flutterwave has unveiled American Express payment acceptance capabilities for its Nigerian online merchants. This strategic initiative enables e-commerce businesses in Nigeria to process transactions from American Express cardholders, marking a substantial advancement in cross-border payment solutions.
The newly implemented service empowers American Express card members – whether using consumer, business, or corporate cards – to conduct direct transactions with Nigerian online retailers through the Flutterwave platform. The company has outlined plans to extend this functionality beyond Nigeria’s borders, with Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda slated for future implementation, underscoring its commitment to strengthening payment infrastructure across African nations.
This collaboration introduces substantial benefits for the African business community. Nigerian merchants using Flutterwave’s services gain access to a broader customer base, particularly American Express Card Members from both African markets and international territories. The integration aims to streamline payment processes while expanding opportunities for local businesses seeking global reach.
The partnership builds on Flutterwave’s impressive track record, which includes processing more than 630 million transactions valued at over USD $31 billion. The company serves prominent clients such as Uber and Air Peace, demonstrating its capability to support diverse industries across the African marketplace. This new American Express integration further reinforces its position as a key player in Africa’s financial technology landscape.
Speaking on the development, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, emphasized the company’s vision of bridging Africa’s connection to global markets through enhanced payment solutions. He highlighted how this integration not only simplifies transactions for American Express cardholders but also empowers local businesses to expand their international presence.
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, characterized the collaboration as mutually beneficial. She emphasized how the partnership expands payment options for Nigerian merchants while strengthening American Express’s presence in the region, where it has operated for more than five decades.
The timing of this integration aligns with Flutterwave’s recent expansion efforts, including securing a Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana. This license enables independent operations without third-party services, demonstrating the company’s commitment to establishing robust payment infrastructure across African markets.
For Nigerian e-commerce businesses, this development represents more than an additional payment option. It offers access to a broader international customer base and facilitates smoother cross-border transactions. The system is designed to make international commerce more accessible and efficient for both merchants and customers, potentially driving growth in the regional e-commerce sector.
This strategic partnership between American Express and Flutterwave exemplifies how collaboration can enhance payment infrastructure in emerging markets. By connecting African businesses with global payment networks, this initiative contributes to the ongoing evolution of digital commerce across the continent, potentially catalyzing further innovations in the African payment ecosystem.
The collaboration also strengthens American Express’s global network by increasing the number of locations where cardholders can make purchases across Africa, while simultaneously providing African merchants with tools to compete in the global marketplace. This mutual benefit underscores the strategic importance of the partnership for both organizations and their respective customers.
