The 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recently took place in New York, bringing together global leaders in business and politics to discuss various topics. Among the key participants was Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, which played a central role in high-profile discussions on digital trade, innovation, artificial intelligence, and financial inclusion.
Flutterwave’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, participated in the Bridgforte Financial Inclusion Roundtable, which aimed to build more inclusive financial systems for the unbanked and underbanked. Agboola emphasized the importance of widening access to finance, particularly for women, rural populations, and small enterprises. He also joined the US-Kenya and US-Ghana business investment roundtables, focusing on strengthening trade and investment ties between Africa and the United States.
Mitesh Popat, Chief Financial Officer, attended a side event on accelerating digital trade across Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He stressed the need for a trusted payment infrastructure to enable cross-border commerce, especially for small businesses. Bridgit Antwi, Vice President of Strategy and Planning, took part in the Global Africa Business Initiative’s Action Pathway for Digital Transformation roundtable, which sought to establish digital innovation as a pillar of Africa’s prosperity.
Bankole Falade, Chief Legal, Regulatory and Public Policy Officer, featured in a one-to-one onstage interview at the Foreign Policy Tech & AI Forum. He discussed the promise and risks of artificial intelligence adoption in Africa, arguing that the continent must define its own path in AI adoption, balancing innovation with clear regulatory frameworks.
Flutterwave’s active engagement at UNGA 80 highlighted the company’s leadership in contributing to global dialogue on Africa’s future. The discussions emphasized that Africa is no longer on the margins of global digital transformation, but rather at the core of where the future of payments, innovation, and inclusion will be defined. As the continent continues to shape its digital landscape, companies like Flutterwave are playing a crucial role in driving growth, innovation, and financial inclusion. The outcomes of these discussions will likely have a significant impact on the future of Africa’s digital economy.
