Flutterwave soars to TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies
Flutterwave’s golden trail soars to TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies again, which is a testament to the fintech giant’s unwavering impact on global commerce and African innovation. As it joins the ranks of world-leading companies for the second time, Flutterwave continues to redefine what’s possible for tech born on the continent.
In a world where innovation has become the currency of relevance, a Nigerian-born visionary has carved out a legacy that transcends borders, currencies, and convention.
Flutterwave, the fintech trailblazer that Nigerian-born Olugbenga Agboola founded, has once again secured a coveted place on TIME’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies in the world.
This achievement marks the second time the company has earned such prestigious recognition, as it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with global titans such as OpenAI, Meta, Amazon, and Netflix.
But unlike most of its peers, Flutterwave’s story originates not from Silicon Valley’s deep-rooted ecosystem but from grit, tenacity, and a daring dream that emerged from the bustling streets of Lagos.
This moment represents more than just another corporate milestone.
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It embodies a continental victory. Flutterwave exemplifies a generation of African innovation that not only catches up with the world but also shapes its very future.
What began as a modest startup in 2016 with the mission to simplify and unify the fragmented payment systems across Africa, has transformed into a sprawling financial infrastructure.
It now powers over $23 billion in transactions and enables global commerce across 35 countries.
Its influence spans borders, linking small businesses, multinationals, and everyday individuals into the bloodstream of a digital economy that refuses to be left behind.
Agboola, the Founder and CEO, reflects with candor and pride, “Starting Flutterwave in 2016 has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things we have had to do, ever. We went through the highs and lows, but through it all, we kept building. Only the test of fire makes iron steel.”
His words capture more than just corporate struggle. They reveal the story of a resilient African spirit that refuses to yield to global skepticism, regulatory complexities, or infrastructural limitations.
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They tell the story of building in the unknown, pushing boundaries in a landscape long overlooked, and believing that Africa could not only participate in global commerce but lead it.
Flutterwave does not simply operate as a payments company. It serves as the pulse of an emerging economic order, where African commerce no longer remains boxed into regional obscurity.
Through products like SendApp (formerly SendAnn), Flutterwave connects families across borders and empowers African diasporas to send money home with speed and trust.
From powering SMEs in Nairobi to enabling multinationals like Microsoft, Uber, Twitter, and Booking.com to operate in Africa seamlessly, Flutterwave has quietly become the unseen engine of African economic modernity.
The company has not followed a linear journey. It has navigated regulatory hurdles, market fragmentation, and global economic downturns that would have crushed most startups.
But Flutterwave, like the eagle it emulates, has soared above the storm. From its $35 million Series B funding in 2020 to a landmark $250 million Series D round in 2022 that catapulted its valuation to $3 billion.
With this, Flutterwave has defied every expectation and rewritten what African-founded tech ventures can achieve.
With over $509 million raised in funding and relentless year-on-year revenue growth, its business fundamentals continue to speak volumes even amidst a cautious investment climate.
Yet, at its core, Flutterwave remains deeply African. Agboola, a former Google engineer and banking executive, envisioned more than just a profitable company.
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He envisioned a platform that could serve as a bridge between Africa and the global economy. From Lagos to Kigali, Cairo to Cape Town, Flutterwave’s infrastructure has become a lifeline for businesses, enabling them to transcend borders and dream bigger.
It has become the connective tissue that binds informal trade with digital rails, local merchants with global buyers, and startups with scalable opportunities.
In Agboola’s words, “We have evolved from infrastructure to innovation, from a small startup to a global player shaping the future of payments. It feels great to be recognised for this. The journey has not always been easy, but recognition like this from TIME reminds us that it is worth it.”
Indeed, he often reminds his team that it is still Day One. Flutterwave refuses to rest on its laurels. The company continues to push into new global markets, build long-term profitability, and embed sustainable growth into its DNA. Its ambition is as clear as it is noble: to support thousands, even millions, of businesses in reaching their full potential by making it seamless to move money into, within, and out of Africa.
In a time when the global narrative often skews towards adversity in Africa, Flutterwave offers an alternative story—one of excellence, global relevance, and the kind of leadership that inspires a generation. It represents a golden egg that emerged from the quiet storm of a fintech revolution, nurtured with wisdom, discipline, and boldness. It acts as the Northern Star for many African innovators who dare to dream beyond borders.
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Flutterwave proves that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, does not wait for an invitation to the global stage. It already leads, creates, and transforms lives. Olugbenga Agboola’s audacious vision has built more than a company. It has sparked a movement. And in doing so, it has ensured that the African sun will never again set quietly in the shadows of global innovation.
