Africa’s leading fintech company, Flutterwave, has reached a major milestone, celebrating 10 years in operation at a gala held recently at The Delborough Lagos.
Flutterwave’s Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Agboola, announced that the company now holds more than 50 licences worldwide. He said this achievement makes Flutterwave the most licensed non-bank payments company globally.
A non-bank is a financial company that provides money-related services but does not operate as a licensed bank. 
Political leaders, regulators, and industry executives gathered to celebrate a decade of growth and innovation, and among the dignitaries present were former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Industry leaders in attendance included Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, and Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, founder of Stanel Group.
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How It Was In The Beginning
Flutterwave launched in 2016 to solve inefficiencies in Africa’s payment systems. At the time, sending money between African countries was often slow, expensive, and complicated.
Agboola recalled that transfers from Lagos to Accra sometimes passed through financial hubs outside Africa, such as New York, before reaching their destination.
“That was the reality of payment infrastructure at the time,” he said.
Expansion to 35+ countries and over $50bn in transactions
Since its launch, Flutterwave has expanded rapidly across Africa and beyond.
The company now operates in more than 35 countries and has processed over one billion transactions valued at more than $50 billion.
Agboola said the company’s long-term goal has always been to build a payment infrastructure that connects businesses, consumers, and financial systems across multiple markets.
Through partnerships and regulatory approvals, Flutterwave has also extended its presence to the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe, strengthening its position as a global fintech infrastructure provider.
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Nigeria remains Flutterwave’s home base
Despite its global expansion, Agboola emphasised that Nigeria remains Flutterwave’s operational base.
He described the company’s international success as a reflection of Nigerian innovation and its growing influence in the global technology ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the CEO said Flutterwave plans to deepen its regulatory compliance while expanding its services globally.
As Flutterwave enters its second decade, the company is positioning itself as a key bridge between African businesses and the global economy, driven by technology, compliance, and Nigerian-led innovation.
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