Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has said Flutterwave’s international growth represents more than corporate success, describing it as a signal of deeper financial inclusion across Africa.

Koroma spoke at the company’s 10th-anniversary gala at The Delborough Lagos, where political leaders, regulators, and business executives gathered to reflect on a decade of fintech expansion.

He said Nigeria carries a historic and demographic weight on the continent, arguing that its economic and technological trajectory has implications for the wider African region.

“Out of every four black people in the world, one is a Nigerian. If Nigeria gets it right, it will affect all of us,” Koroma told the audience.

According to the former Sierra Leonean leader, innovation emerging from Nigeria often reverberates across ECOWAS and beyond. He described Flutterwave’s expansion into international markets as an example of how African firms are reshaping cross-border commerce.

Koroma noted that digital payment platforms are helping to reduce longstanding barriers in Africa’s financial system, including limited access to formal banking, cross-border settlement delays and trust deficits in transaction processes.

He said such platforms contribute to broader economic participation, particularly for small businesses seeking access to regional and global markets.

Koroma also reflected on his relationship with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, crediting him with mentorship that influenced his own leadership journey in Sierra Leone.

He commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining Lagos as a centre for enterprise and technology, noting that the city remains a gateway for innovation on the continent.

While acknowledging Africa’s complex geopolitical and economic environment, Koroma expressed optimism that companies such as Flutterwave align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of integrated and prosperous economies.

Describing the anniversary as a significant continental milestone, Koroma urged African leaders and institutions to project such achievements more confidently on global platforms.

He said African innovation should not be understated, arguing that homegrown enterprises have demonstrated the capacity to compete at international standards.

Concluding his remarks, Koroma congratulated Flutterwave’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Agboola, expressing confidence that the company’s first decade marks the beginning of broader continental and global influence.