Flutterwave Expands Payment Options for Nigerian E-commerce with American Express Integration

In a significant move for African e-commerce, Flutterwave, the continent’s leading payments technology company, has announced a new partnership with American Express. This collaboration enables Flutterwave’s online merchants in Nigeria to accept payments from American Express Card Members, opening up new opportunities for businesses and consumers.

The integration allows American Express cardholders to make direct payments to Nigerian e-commerce businesses utilizing Flutterwave’s platform, whether they possess consumer, business, or corporate cards. This development marks a notable expansion of payment options in the Nigerian digital marketplace, with plans to extend the service to Flutterwave merchants in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda shortly.

Flutterwave’s initiative aims to streamline online transactions while offering a host of benefits for both merchants and shoppers. By accepting American Express payments, Flutterwave merchants can tap into a new customer base, attracting American Express Card Members from across Africa and around the globe. This expansion of payment methods is poised to enhance consumers’ shopping experience while broadening the reach of Nigerian e-commerce businesses.

The collaboration between Flutterwave and American Express is more than just a new payment option; it represents a strategic move to strengthen the American Express global network. By increasing the number of locations across Africa where American Express Card Members can use their cards, this partnership facilitates purchasing a diverse range of goods and services, further integrating African businesses into the global marketplace.

Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating, “At Flutterwave, we’re always looking to connect the world to Africa through payments. This is one of our initiatives to ensure that more people worldwide can pay using Flutterwave in Africa.” Agboola emphasized the importance of providing shoppers with payment methods that suit their needs while helping businesses expand their customer bases.

Integrating American Express payments into Flutterwave’s platform is expected to simplify and expedite the payment process for American Express cardholders. This improvement in user experience is anticipated to benefit e-commerce businesses using Flutterwave, supporting their ambitions to start locally and sell globally.

Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, highlighted the collaboration’s mutual benefits. “Through the agreement with Flutterwave, a trusted payment provider, we are giving e-commerce merchants in Nigeria the opportunity to reach American Express Card Members worldwide,” Wilsey stated. She further noted that the partnership increases the number of places American Express Card Members can use their cards in Nigeria, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.

This development comes as Flutterwave continues to solidify its position as a dominant force in the African FinTech sector. The company has been instrumental in enabling businesses worldwide to scale their operations in Africa and other emerging markets. Flutterwave’s platform, which supports a wide array of transaction types through a single API, has processed over 630 million transactions, amounting to more than $31 billion. This impressive track record underscores the company’s significant impact and reach in the digital payment landscape.

As African e-commerce continues to grow and evolve, partnerships like the one between Flutterwave and American Express play a crucial role in fostering innovation and expanding opportunities. By bridging the gap between global payment networks and local businesses, Flutterwave facilitates transactions and contributes to the broader economic development of the continent.

Integrating American Express payments into Flutterwave’s platform represents a forward-thinking approach to African digital commerce. As more payment options become available and accessible, the potential for growth and international trade expands, promising a bright future for African e-commerce and the broader digital economy.