Flutterwave Celebrates a Decade of Innovation with Star-Studded Gala in Lagos
The Delborough Lagos hotel served as the prestigious venue for a landmark celebration on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as Flutterwave commemorated its 10th anniversary with an inaugural Gala Night. The event brought together a remarkable assembly of Africa's most influential figures from politics, business, and entertainment, transforming the luxury hotel into a hub of high-level networking and recognition.
Distinguished Political and Business Leaders in Attendance
Among the high-profile dignitaries present were former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Sierra Leonean leader Ernest Bai Koroma, alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Their participation underscored the significant political recognition of Flutterwave's achievements. The business community was equally well-represented, with notable attendees including Dr. Cosmas Maduka, founder of the Coscharis Group; Ernest Ndukwe, chairman of MTN Nigeria's board; and Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, founder and CEO of Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos.
The presence of these leaders highlighted Flutterwave's growing influence within Africa's business and technology sectors, reflecting the company's role in shaping the continent's financial landscape. The gathering demonstrated how the fintech firm has bridged gaps between traditional industries and modern digital innovation.
Entertainment Icons Join the Celebration
The gala also featured prominent figures from the entertainment world, adding glamour to the evening. Acclaimed singer Tiwa Savage attended the celebration, accompanied by veteran actress Omotola Jalade and former Big Brother Naija housemates Dorathy and Erica. Their presence illustrated the cross-sector appeal of Flutterwave's milestone, connecting technology with popular culture and broader societal engagement.
Founder Recalls Humble Beginnings and Vision
In his keynote address, Flutterwave founder and CEO Olugbenga Agboola described the event as a celebration of excellence, innovation, and sustained enterprise growth. He recounted the company's origins, explaining that Flutterwave was born out of the severe difficulties he encountered with cross-border online payments across Africa prior to its launch in 2016.
Agboola highlighted that before Flutterwave's establishment, electronic fund transfers between African countries were often slow and inefficient, with transactions sometimes routed through New York before reaching destinations like Ghana from Lagos. He emphasized that moving money digitally could be more complicated than physically transporting cash by air, a challenge that motivated the creation of a streamlined payment solution.
Commendations from Dignitaries
Goodwill messages from Obasanjo, Koroma, Sanwo-Olu, Maduka, and other guests praised Agboola's resilience and entrepreneurial drive. They commended him for positioning Nigeria and the wider African continent prominently within the global financial technology space, acknowledging Flutterwave's contribution to economic integration and digital empowerment across the region.
The celebration not only marked a decade of operations but also set the stage for Flutterwave's future ambitions in revolutionizing Africa's payment systems and fostering greater financial inclusion through innovative technology solutions.
