Flutterwave, a payments processor based out of Lagos has announced raising a Series B round of $35 Million.
From an email shared by the CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, the round was co-led by Grey Croft & eVentures with additional participation from CRE Ventures, FIS, Visa, Green Visor, and Endeavor.
Flutterwave is the first Nigerian investee of Venture Capital company, Endeavor Nigeria. They were also named in 2019 as Ycombinator’s most valuable company in Africa , valued at about $150 million.
There has been a lot of visible progress since the company was created, and we want to access the journey so far.
Where It All Started
In 2016, Olugbenga Agboola founded Flutterwave with some other cofounders. Before the likes of Flutterwave and Interswitch were created, most online payments were done via Intersitch’s WebPay which companies had to pay to the tune of N150,000 naira just to integrate.
Flutterwave was initially launched as an African digital payment infrastructure company that helps companies send and receive payments across Africa with one API. Their modus operandi or focus was quite different from Paystack… until it wasn’t.
Some of Flutterwave’s initial investors included Y Combinator, VCFintech (powered by FIS) and South Africa-based CRE Venture Capital, among others.
Product and Features
Flutterwave have actively grown with regards to their product, features, and solutions. Some of these include:
- Checkout: This helps business owners or individuals collect payments from their customers anywhere in the world. On the web and mobile. payments from customers in over 150 currencies, including Naira, Dollars, Pounds, Euro and Yuan can be processed.
- Card Issuing: This lets you create and manage virtual cards for various purposes using the Flutterwave API. Other companies can also build their businesses on this feature.
- Invoices: Flutterwave also lets you create, send and track invoices in multiple currencies. This translates to a much easier way of tracking payments and overdue invoices plus easy sales and tax calculations. There are also sub-features of this like automated reminders.
- Consumer payment: There are various options available for users to make payments. They include Pay with card, pay with USSD, pay with a bank account, pay with bank transfer, pay with mobile money, pay with QR and Pay with Barter.
How’s Flutterwave’s GetBarter Doing?
Consumer payment product, GetBarter came to live in January 2019 via a partnership with Visa. The product helps to facilitate personal and small merchant payments within countries and across Africa’s national borders. Existing Visa cardholders were eligible to send and receive funds at home or internationally on GetBarter.
Even non-cardholders (those with accounts or mobile wallets on other platforms) were allowed to create a virtual Visa card to link to the app.
The GetBarter app currently boasts of over 100,000 users and transacted value of over $47,000,000 in 2019, which kind of points to users’ receptiveness.
See Who’s Been Growing
At the announcement of Flutterwave’s launch, the startup had processed over $20 million in transactions for clients that include Uber, Paystack, Page Microfinance Bank, and Access Bank.
In 2018, Flutterwave saw a 550% growth in the customer base of Flutterwave for Business (Rave) while also retaining enterprise customers like Uber, Arik Air, Booking.com and Flywire.
In 2019, they processed $5.4 billion across 107 million transactions which were over two times the transaction count for 2018. They also welcomed 55,000 new merchants, which brings their total number of merchants to 86,000.
They also partnered, last year, with one of China’s biggest payments processors, Alipay. And as a consequence, it opened Flutterwave’s merchants to over 1 billion potential customers. This is a major step in the quest of trying to connect Africa to the world.
2019 was truly a year of growth for the company and by extension, the Nigerian FinTech space.
Funds and Investments
Data from Crunchbase suggests that Flutterwave has raised a total of $55.4M in funding over 10 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Jan 21, 2020, from a Series B round.
In 2017, the company raised over $10 million in a Series A funding round. This round saw Greycroft Partners and Green Visor leading it alongside initial investors — Y Combinator — and new investors like Glynn Capital.
The following year also saw them complete the Series A round of financing. This time, the funding came from Mastercard, CRE Ventures, Fintech Collective, 4DX Ventures, Raba Capital and more. The exact amount raised during this round was not disclosed.
The second round of financing saw current Green Visor Capital Chairman & General Partner and former Chairman & CEO of Visa, Joe Saunders, join the Flutterwave Board of Directors.
And the most recent, $35 million Series B fund.
A constant name in the list of investors is Green Visor and CRE Ventures.
Also, it is interesting to note the participation of finance company, Visa. Interestingly, Visa has now invested in both Flutterwave and Paystack, a move which has shown a pronounced interest of the company in the African FinTech space .
What Does the Future Hold for Flutterwave?
In an email shared by the company’s founder and CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Flutterwave is nursing plans to expand into regions like the Francophone-speaking region of Africa and some countries in North Africa.
This expansion also means that businesses and individuals that currently use Flutterwave will be able to receive payments from those regions, hence expanding their market.
It’s hard not to be optimistic about the future of the payments company. One very valuable feature of the company is the different markets they serve. They have essentially opened up some African countries to cross-country business and these businesses expand as they (Flutterwave) do.
Going forward, this (ubiquitousness) might just be top on the list of things a business or individual considers when choosing a payment partner.
Daniel Moses Oluwadanie is a tech writer based in Nigeria with extensive experience in mobile apps, social media, and fintech. At Dignited.com, he specializes in writing practical how-tos, smartphone reviews, and consumer tech news—helping readers make sense of the digital tools they use every day. With a finger on the pulse of Nigeria’s tech scene, Daniel delivers insights that are both timely and relatable.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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