Flutterwave set to anchor in Kenya as gateway to East Africa

Leading payments technology provider Flutterwave declared Nairobi, Kenya, as the location of its regional hub for East Africa.

The third American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Business Summit, which took place in Nairobi last week, brought together the AmChams from across East Africa, a senior U.S. government delegation, American investors gathered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Africa Business Center, and East African businesses and officials to map out new avenues for increased US commercial engagement with Kenya and the East. Mr. Falade made his remarks during the summit. There were more than 500 American and East African representatives.

“We recognize the invaluable role Kenya plays in the East African region, and the country’s business-friendly environment and digital capability,” said Oluwabankole Falade, Chief Regulatory and Government Relations Officer. “As a business with African roots, and headquartered in San Francisco, we are aware of the importance of empowering the small business owners, an objective shared by the Kenyan administration.”

Meg Witman, the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, served as the program's main anchor for the two days. She gave opening remarks on "Why Africa, Why Kenya," and President Ruto announced new initiatives to increase U.S. trade and investment in the nation, including steps to support the Small and Medium Business Enterprises (SMEs) sector, a crucial area for Flutterwave's operations.

Flutterwave sponsored the AmCham event and is a member of AmCham in the majority of the markets where it conducts business, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. It is also a board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Africa Business Center.

Flutterwave's vision is in line with that of the East Africa region, guaranteeing that SMEs are given access to effective, straightforward, and cost-effective digital solutions that help their companies become profitable globally.

Flutterwave's two primary SME solutions, Flutterwave Shop and Flutterwave Market, are designed to aid Kenya's SME industry, which employs around 80% of the country's workforce, generates 30% of new employment each year, and makes up 3% of the country's GDP. As of 2023, Kenya will provide Flutterwave with access to a customer base of around 476 million people in the region.

“We are also glad of the support we have received from the Government of Kenya, AmCham stakeholders and leadership across the region, and we are proud to have chosen to support the Summit and see many other global firms who we work with such as Amazon and Uber choosing to settle here as well. We are in good company,” closed out Mr. Falade.

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