Sylvia Duruson
Leading African payments company, Flutterwave has entered a 5-year technology collaboration with Microsoft to build an upgraded platform on Microsoft Azure. The goal is to accelerate payment innovation and small business growth across Africa.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for Africa’s development, employing around 90% of people. However, African SMEs face steep challenges, with failure rates up to 70% in the first year. Key hurdles are limited access to financial services and seamless local payment methods.
Since its inception, Flutterwave has advanced the democratisation of payments in Africa, enabling multiple modes like cards and mobile wallets. By partnering with Microsoft, it aims to revolutionise business payments across the continent further. Flutterwave’s mission aligns with Microsoft’s priority of digitally empowering African SMEs.
By transitioning to Azure, Flutterwave can securely process large-scale, high-volume payments for smoother customer experiences. Azure OpenAI also enables expanding offerings to millions of global merchants. For Flutterwave, this collaboration is about more than transactions – it’s about transformation.
Flutterwave Founder and CEO GB Agboola expressed excitement that Microsoft believes in Flutterwave’s capability to create an inclusive digital Africa. As part of the partnership, Flutterwave will also launch solutions on Azure Marketplace, extending its reach.
Microsoft Africa President Lillian Barnard said increased technology access and innovation holds the key to thriving local businesses and stronger African economies. Building the next-generation platform on Azure solidifies the shared vision of boosting financial inclusion and prosperity through technology.
The collaboration unites Microsoft’s and Flutterwave’s goals of digitally empowering SMEs. By leveraging Azure’s capabilities, Flutterwave seeks to unlock the full potential of digital payments for African businesses to drive economic growth.
