Flutterwave’s TIME 100 recognition signals bold African fintech revolution

Flutterwave’s TIME 100 recognition celebrates African innovation and global impact as the fintech giant earns a spot on TIME’s list of Most Influential Companies

Flutterwave TIME 100 recognition has once again confirmed the Nigerian-born fintech giant’s place among the world’s most influential companies.

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Making its second appearance on TIME’s prestigious list in 2025, Flutterwave joins the ranks of OpenAI, Meta, Amazon, and Netflix—this time not as a rising star, but as an undeniable force shaping global commerce and African innovation.

Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Olugbenga Agboola in 2016, Flutterwave began with a single, daring goal: to unify Africa’s fragmented payment systems and enable seamless cross-border transactions.

What started as a local solution in Lagos has grown into a sprawling financial infrastructure, powering over $23 billion in transactions across 35 countries.

“This recognition reminds us that the journey has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it,” said Agboola, the company’s founder and CEO. “Only the test of fire makes iron steel.”

Flutterwave’s influence has extended beyond payments. Through services like SendApp, it connects African diasporas with families back home.

From supporting SMEs in Nairobi to enabling giants like Microsoft and Booking.com to operate across Africa, the company has become a crucial bridge between the continent and the global economy.

Unlike many peers on the TIME list, Flutterwave’s story doesn’t originate in Silicon Valley. It is a product of Africa’s grit, resilience, and brilliance—born not in privilege but in persistence.

Agboola’s background, from Google engineer to banking executive, fuelled a vision to build not just a company, but a movement.

The company’s rise has not been without hurdles. Regulatory roadblocks, fragmented markets, and economic downturns have tested its foundation.

Still, Flutterwave soared. It secured a $35 million Series B in 2020, followed by a landmark $250 million Series D round in 2022—catapulting its valuation to $3 billion.

With over $509 million raised to date, Flutterwave has defied expectations and proven the viability of African-born tech at a global scale.

Agboola often reminds his team: “It’s still Day One.” That mindset has kept the company focused on innovation and impact.

Flutterwave’s products now serve businesses of all sizes, offering the rails on which informal and formal trade alike now operate.

But the TIME 100 recognition is more than a corporate accolade. It is a symbolic win for a continent often left out of the tech narrative.

It shows that Africa can not only catch up but can also lead with authenticity, scale, and ingenuity.

Flutterwave’s journey is a beacon for other African startups navigating similarly complex terrain. Its success proves that world-class innovation can emerge from African soil—and thrive globally.

As the global fintech space evolves, Flutterwave continues to embed sustainability, trust, and local relevance into its expansion strategy. It is not just moving money—it is moving possibilities.

“We have evolved from infrastructure to innovation, from startup to global player,” said Agboola. “It feels great to be recognised for that.”

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Flutterwave does not ask for permission to lead—it leads. It inspires. It redefines what is possible. And in doing so, it ensures that Africa’s role in the digital future is not peripheral, but central.