Flutterwave launches US stock trading in Nigeria, letting users invest in major US companies with local currencies.
Flutterwave, the San Francisco- and Lagos-based fintech firm led by Nigerian entrepreneur Olugbenga Agboola, has launched a service that lets African users buy and sell U.S. stocks directly in their local currencies. Rolled out in late June through a partnership with U.S.-based brokerage API provider Alpaca, the platform is currently live in Nigeria and Kenya, with plans to expand across the continent.
The service supports fractional stock trading, giving everyday investors access to major U.S. companies without the high costs usually associated with international investing. Integrated into Flutterwave’s app and partner APIs, it offers real-time settlement in naira, shillings, and other currencies, while connecting seamlessly to mobile wallets. With this move, Flutterwave is expanding beyond payments to meet growing demand in Africa for accessible cross-border financial services.
Targeting the global investment market
Flutterwave, valued at over $3 billion, is Africa’s most valuable payments startup. It processes billions of dollars in transactions each year across 34 countries, serving clients such as Uber, Meta, and Microsoft. The company’s push into wealth management follows its February 2025 acquisition of U.S.-based remittance platform Orbital, which strengthened its ability to handle diaspora remittances and cross-border flows.
The launch comes as Africa’s young, mobile-first population increasingly looks for global investment opportunities. According to Verified Market Reports, the micro-investing app market is expected to grow from $1.2 billion in 2024 to $4.5 billion by 2033, with emerging markets driving much of that growth. Flutterwave now joins competitors like Chipper Cash, Bamboo, and Trove, but its ability to integrate multiple currencies with established payment channels could give it an edge.
U.S. licenses expand financial access
Since its founding in 2016, Flutterwave has grown into one of Africa’s leading fintech companies, operating in over 30 countries and handling payments in more than 30 currencies. With 20 direct U.S. Money Transmitter Licenses, the company has strengthened its link to global financial systems.
Backed by investors including Tiger Global, Visa Ventures, and Avenir Growth Capital, Flutterwave has raised more than $475 million to expand its services. Its 2025 half-year results show solid growth, with enterprise payments rising 20 percent year-on-year and bank transfer volumes up 198 percent compared with 2024.
Regional licenses support expansion
In March, the Nigerian government underscored its support for fintech, with President Bola Tinubu praising Flutterwave for its role in boosting small businesses, youth employment, and the digital economy. The company has partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to help more SMEs move into the digital space.
Regulatory approvals across the region are also supporting Flutterwave’s growth. In July, the company received a license from West Africa’s central bank to operate in Senegal, while continuing to expand in Ghana, Cameroon, and Zambia. By entering U.S. stock trading, Flutterwave is positioning itself as more than a payments platform—it is now a bridge connecting African investors with global markets.