Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, and Tempo, a payments-focused blockchain network, today announced a strategic partnership to develop and support the next phase of stablecoin-powered payments and settlements across Africa.
The collaboration aims to integrate Tempo as a blockchain settlement network within the Send App and Flutterwave for Business (F4B) platforms. Together, the companies are working to combine their products, networks, and go-to-market capabilities to enable faster, more efficient global money movement once the infrastructure goes live.
This partnership directly addresses the high costs and lengthy delays that currently plague cross-border transactions into and across Africa. According to the World Bank, remittance fees to sub-Saharan Africa average around 7%, which is significantly higher than the global average of 6% and well above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%.
Furthermore, traditional reliance on complex correspondent banking and foreign exchange chains can delay settlements for several business days, reducing liquidity and straining working capital for businesses and families alike.
To further address these friction points across select corridors, Flutterwave is integrating Tempo’s layer-1 blockchain network as a complementary settlement rail within its broader multi-chain payments infrastructure, which includes its existing Polygon-based stablecoin settlement capabilities. Once fully deployed, this integration will support wallet-to-wallet USDC and USDT transactions, providing users with faster settlement times, stable network performance, and predictable transaction costs.
Tempo will operate as part of Flutterwave’s broader blockchain settlement infrastructure, complementing existing integrations and supporting Flutterwave’s continued commitment to Polygon-based stablecoin payment flows. This enables additional settlement options across specific corridors based on corridor requirements and operational needs.
The teams are currently working to enhance two core Flutterwave products designed for distinct user bases:
Send App: Which connects individuals in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada to recipients across Africa.
Flutterwave for Business (F4B): Which powers enterprise cross-border payments, supplier settlements, and USD-denominated flows.
Built for high-volume payment environments, Tempo’s infrastructure features fast transaction finality and aligns with ISO 20022 standards, which will eventually allow enterprises to seamlessly reconcile cross-border transactions within their existing finance and ERP systems.
The collaboration reflects a broader global evolution where stablecoins are transitioning from crypto-native instruments into practical payment rails that improve settlement efficiency and access to global liquidity.
