Flutterwave CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, named to Endeavor’s 2026 Outlier Class for sixth consecutive year

Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola has been named in Endeavor’s prestigious Outlier Class of 2026 for the sixth consecutive year, in recognition of his sustained commitment to solving payment challenges across Africa and other emerging markets.

Endeavor, the globally recognised organisation supporting high-growth entrepreneurs, noted that its 2026 Outlier class reflects a shift in global entrepreneurship, with founders building resilient, globally competitive companies despite uncertain conditions.

Agboola’s journey with Endeavor began in 2019, when he was first selected as an Endeavor Entrepreneur. Over the years, his engagement with the network has deepened—shaped by a clear recognition of the role Endeavor plays in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, including fintech. This conviction has since translated into active investment in the network and a leadership role as a board member, contributing to the development of the next generation of founders.

With a strong focus on innovation and a vision to scale Africa’s digital economy, Agboola has led Flutterwave through significant milestones. The company was recently named among the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies in 2025 and received the Excellence in Cross-Border Payments Award at the Africa Tech Summit. Agboola himself was also recognised with the Fintech Pioneer in Africa Award for his contributions to advancing the continent’s fintech ecosystem.

Spearheading the company’s vision, Agboola led Flutterwave to accelerate payment growth globally in 2025 by opening vital new corridors, such as the Africa–Asia trade route. After processing nearly $1 billion in the first half of the year, the platform solidified its scale, reaching over $40 billion in total transaction value across more than 1 billion transactions. The company also deepened its infrastructure capabilities through strategic partnerships with stablecoin providers Polygon and Turnkey, aimed at improving accessibility and enabling more efficient cross-border transactions.

Beyond Flutterwave, Agboola has played an active role in shaping the broader innovation ecosystem. As an investor and mentor, he supports the next generation of high-growth founders through Resilience17 (R17), his venture studio and early-stage investment platform. R17 backs a portfolio of over 70 companies globally, including Vesti, Klasha, LemFi, and Bamboo, with a focus on fintech and digital identity. His investment track record was recognised with the Tech Investor of the Year award by Business Insider Africa in 2022 and further underscored by the successful acquisition of one of his portfolio companies, Brass, in 2024.

He has also expanded this commitment into frontier technology with the launch of Go Time AI, Nigeria’s first dedicated AI accelerator. The initiative provides funding and computing infrastructure to Global South founders building the next generation of AI solutions tailored to local markets. His investment interests extend beyond fintech, with a diversified portfolio that includes Lagoon Hospital, a leading multi-specialist healthcare group, and Nairobi City Thunder Basketball Club, a two-time national champion.

Building on this momentum, Flutterwave has taken significant steps in 2026 to strengthen its position as a full-stack financial services provider. This includes the acquisition of Mono, a leading open banking platform, to enhance financial data access and infrastructure across Africa. Additionally, the company secured a microfinance banking licence, enabling it to expand its offerings and deliver more integrated financial services to businesses across the continent.

Joining Agboola on the 2026 Outlier list are founders from more than 50 underserved markets, who continue to shape their ecosystems, serving as mentors and community leaders while driving the future of payments and financial innovation in Africa.