Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, has expanded its remittance service, Send App, to 49 U.S. states (except Texas). This expansion is powered by a strategic partnership with MainStreet Bank, a subsidiary of MainStreet Bancshares Inc.

MainStreet Bank, based in Fairfax, Virginia, is recognized for its innovative banking solutions. With $2 billion in assets, the bank offers its proprietary Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, Avenu, which enables seamless banking by connecting app partners directly to bank systems.

The expansion of Send App aims to provide Africans in the diaspora with a faster, more affordable way to send money home, further solidifying Flutterwave’s presence in the global remittance market.

Since the launch of the service in 2021 launch, Send App has grown significantly to become a trusted platform for the African diaspora to send money to their loved ones back home in over 30 countries, supporting multiple currencies.

The service provides a comprehensive solution for money transfers offering key features such as real-time support, exchange rate updates, transaction tracking, and a new voucher and referral code section.

The importance of remittances to Africa cannot be overstated. According to the United Nations, remittances to the continent have doubled in the last decade, reaching an estimated USD 100 B in 2022. These funds support essential expenses like medical bills, education, and living costs for approximately 200 million Africans.

Flutterwave aims to further support this by making money transfers more accessible. It’s expansion through Send App seeks to address the necessity for efficient, secure, and affordable remittance services, offering a solution tailored to meet the needs of the diaspora.

Through the partnership with MainStreet Bank, Flutterwave promises to ensure that Send App is secure, compliant, and reliable, further cementing its commitment to customer safety.

Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with MainStreet Bank underscores our dedication to providing secure, regulatory compliant, and efficient financial solutions. We care deeply about our diaspora community, who we expect to play a major role in Africa’s next phase of growth.”

MainStreet Bank’s President of Avenu, Todd Youngren, also emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting that Flutterwave’s expansion aligns with Avenu’s embedded banking platform, which focuses on compliance and risk management.

This US expansion follows Flutterwave’s aggressive expansion across the African continent including securing a Payment Systems Operator (PSO) license from the Bank of Uganda and the recent acquisition of payment licenses in Ghana and Mozambique.

With operations in 34 African countries and over 630 million transactions processed to date—valued at more than USD 31 B — according to company claims, Flutterwave’s expansion into the U.S. market is set to further boost its success in cross border remittance.

Flutterwave noted that the Send App is available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, offering a seamless experience for users across all U.S. states except Texas, reinforcing its growing global presence.