Flutterwave Expands E-Commerce Horizons: Enabling American Express Payments for Nigerian Merchants

In a move set to reshape the e-commerce landscape in Nigeria and beyond, Flutterwave has announced a groundbreaking partnership with American Express. This collaboration enables Flutterwave’s online merchants in Nigeria to accept payments from American Express Card Members, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to connect Africa to the global economy through seamless payment solutions.

The integration allows American Express cardholders to make direct payments to e-commerce businesses utilizing Flutterwave’s platform in Nigeria, whether they hold consumer, business, or corporate cards. This development is not confined to Nigerian borders alone; Flutterwave plans to extend this service to merchants in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda soon, further solidifying its position as a pan-African fintech powerhouse.

Flutterwave’s founder and CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its alignment with its core mission. “At Flutterwave, we’re always looking for ways to connect the world to Africa through payments,” Agboola stated. He emphasized the importance of providing shoppers with diverse payment options while helping businesses expand their customer base.

The collaboration brings a host of benefits to both merchants and consumers. For Flutterwave merchants, it opens doors to a new and potentially lucrative customer segment – American Express Card Members from Africa and around the globe. This expanded reach includes individual consumers and business and corporate spenders, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

From the consumer perspective, the partnership introduces greater flexibility in payment methods when transacting with Flutterwave merchants. This enhanced choice is expected to improve the shopping experience and increase sales for participating businesses.

The partnership also strengthens American Express’s footprint in Africa, increasing the locations where its Card Members can use their cards to purchase a wide range of goods and services. This aligns with American Express’s ongoing efforts to expand its regional presence and provide more excellent payment choices for businesses and consumers.

Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, underscored 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 remarked. She further noted that the partnership also benefits American Express Card Members by increasing the number of places they can use their cards in Nigeria.

Flutterwave’s track record speaks volumes about its capacity to facilitate this expansion. The company has processed over 630 million transactions exceeding $31 billion in value, serving a diverse clientele that includes global giants like Uber alongside African success stories such as Air Peace, Bamboo, and PiggyVest.

The Flutterwave-American Express partnership is more than just a business agreement; it represents a significant step towards integrating African e-commerce more deeply into the global digital economy. By simplifying the payment process for American Express cardholders and enhancing the capabilities of Flutterwave merchants, this collaboration promises to accelerate the growth of online businesses in Nigeria and, eventually, across multiple African nations.

As Flutterwave continues to bridge payment gaps and connect Africa to the world, this partnership with American Express is a testament to the company’s innovative approach and commitment to empowering African businesses. It expands payment options and opens new avenues for growth, helping merchants start locally but sell globally in an increasingly interconnected digital marketplace.