In a strategic move to enhance payment solutions across Africa, Flutterwave, a leading African payments company, has announced a new partnership with American Express. This collaboration will allow Nigerian merchants to accept payments from American Express cardholders, marking a significant expansion for the credit card provider in Africa.
American Express first made its entry into the Nigerian market in 2023 through a partnership with Access Bank, launching its cards in the country. By May 2024, the company had introduced four new credit card offerings in Nigeria. This partnership with Flutterwave is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at increasing American Express’s presence in a continent where cash transactions remain predominant, as highlighted by a Bloomberg report.
The partnership will enable Flutterwave merchants to tap into a broader customer base of American Express cardholders, not only within Africa but globally. This move is expected to provide more payment options for shoppers while supporting businesses in expanding their customer reach.
“This is one of our initiatives to ensure that more people across the world can pay using Flutterwave in Africa. We understand the value of providing shoppers with payment methods that work for them, as well as helping businesses to expand their customer bases,” said Olugbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave.
Flutterwave plans to extend this service to merchants in other African markets, including Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda, further strengthening its position as a leading payment platform on the continent.
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network Services EMEA at American Express, also praised the partnership, stating, “The collaboration is a win-win because it also increases the number of places where our Card Members can use their Cards in Nigeria.”
This partnership represents a significant step forward in the integration of global payment systems in Africa, offering increased convenience and flexibility for both merchants and consumers across the region.