By Kayode Ogunwale

Flutterwave, a preeminent financial technology company co-founded by a group of enterprising young Nigerians, is poised to take a significant step in its growth trajectory by planning to list its shares on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

This noteworthy development was disclosed during a recent meeting between the executive leadership of Flutterwave and Alami Capital, and His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the past weekend.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Flutterwave has expanded its operations across multiple international Markets, including the United States, Canada, and various African nations such as Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa, reached a total of 29 countries across the continent. The Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, articulated the company’s ambition of providing Nigerians with the capability to efficiently access global services in Naira while simultaneously establishing robust payment platforms that facilitate money transfers for Nigerians residing abroad wishing to support their families in Nigeria.

Valued at over $3 billion, Flutterwave exemplifies a successful Nigerian enterprise, currently employing more than 1,000 individuals. During his discussion with President Tinubu, Agboola emphasized the company’s aspirations for its listing on the Nigerian Exchange and earnestly requested the President’s endorsement of this ambitious endeavor.

He said Flutterwave spends millions of dollars monthly on hosting services, but that money goes to other countries.

He suggested supporting Galaxy Backbone’s hosting services to enable it to handle companies like Flutterwave.

Olugbenga Agboola, the CEO; Adeleke Adekoya, a co-founder; Oluwabankole Falade and Mitesh Popat, represented Flutterwave at the meeting. Ms Oluseun Olufemi-White represented Alami Capital as its CEO.

President Tinubu said his administration will support businesses in the financial technology sector that provide payment infrastructure services for Nigerians and Africans.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Wale Edun led the delegation to meet President Tinubu. Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), also atAfrican

President Tinubu said Nigeria is genuinely open to business, and as President, he is determined to remove all obstacles to allow companies to thrive.

He commended Flutterwave’s commitment to building capacity in the digital economy sector, especially as it is being made possible by energetic, young Nigerians. He said he is honoured to be the President of a country with such a youthful and resourceful population.

He said the leadership Flutterwave provides in the digital world is what Nigeria needs today to grow its economy and make life easier for most of its population.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said Flutterwave has made significant progress since its establishment 10 years ago. It has created jobs and helped diversify the economy by providing innovative digital platforms and payment services in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, said that as Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria must demonstrate its economic prowess by strategically positioning products and services by Nigerian companies, such as Flutterwave, in the homes of all Africans.