Nigerian fintech entrepreneur Gbenga Agboola’s Flutterwave acquires Disha creator platform

Nigerian fintech startup Flutterwave has confirmed the acquisition of Disha, a Nigeria-based platform that allows digital creators to curate, showcase and receive payments for content globally.

A statement issued by the Lagos-based fintech unicorn revealed that the acquisition aims to grow the creator economy, particularly in Africa, and provide the tools and templates needed for digital content creators to showcase their products and talent while receiving value for their creativity.

The acquisition follows speculations on social media that the fintech unicorn had acquired the two-year-old platform after a social media user noticed Disha’s FAQs on Flutterwave’s support documents, which suggested that the unicorn company might have acquired the company.

The Flutterwave-Disha deal will ensure that digital creators and creatives have the power to do business with anyone anywhere in the world, as users will be given access to unique features that will simplify the process of receiving payments from audiences and clients through Flutterwave.

Disha was founded by Evans Akanno, Rufus Oyemade and Blessing Abeng in 2019. The company is a well-known platform built from Africa that allows creators to receive and make withdrawals on Disha via 150 currencies across the world.

The platform has registered more than 20,000 users organically since it commenced operations two years ago.

According to information gathered by Billionaires.Africa, Flutterwave Founder and CEO Olugbenga Agboola said that the acquisition is an exciting effort to equip the international creator community of about 50 million individuals with innovative tools to grow their craft.

“We are thrilled to be supporting Disha to provide new opportunities for freelancers and creators to showcase and receive value for their creativity across the world,” he said.

“At Flutterwave, we care about the creators on Disha who over the years have found a home for their craft. That is why we’re making this huge investment to continue to support their growth,” Agboola concluded.

Disha Software and Architectural Lead Rufus Oyemade said: “Flutterwave’s acquisition will accelerate our path to being an important toolset for creators to showcase and get paid for their work from all over the world.”

“The new payment feature will support creators who will in turn become key players in the global creator economy,” he added.

The acquisition comes during Flutterwave’s growth phase, as the fintech firm completed a Series-C funding round amounting to $170 million earlier this year, valuing the company at more than $1 billion.

The Nigeria-based payment platform is in talks with investors to initiate a fresh funding round to triple its valuation above the $3-billion mark.