Before You Choose a Payment Gateway in Nigeria, Read This
Let’s be real — COVID-19 changed everything. From how we work to how we shop, the whole world took a serious hit. Even now, some countries are still struggling to fully recover. But one thing the pandemic made very clear is this: if your business is not online yet, you’re sleeping on a bicycle.
This whole situation opened the eyes of many Nigerians, especially those in the e-commerce space or thinking of starting one. More people are online now than ever before — browsing, comparing, and most importantly, buying. So if you’ve been doubting the importance of online payment or e-business, it’s time to clear those doubts.
In this article, I’ll walk you through 12 solid payment gateways in Nigeria that you can confidently use to receive payments on your online store. Whether you’re selling hair, gadgets, clothes, or even running a service business, these platforms will help you collect money with ease — no stories, no stress.
E-commerce is no longer complicated. These days, you can build a website in one day and connect your payment system in a few hours. Free tools and plug-and-play libraries are everywhere. But no matter how sleek your website looks, if customers can’t pay easily, you’re basically setting yourself up for frustration.
So let’s get into the list — starting with the big boys.
1. Flutterwave
If you’re in Nigeria and you haven’t heard of Flutterwave, then maybe you never ready to enter this e-commerce game. Flutterwave is one of the most popular payment gateways in Africa, and for good reason.
It’s free to set up, very fast, and works for both small and big businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already making sales every day, Flutterwave helps you collect payments from customers using their cards — even if they’re outside Nigeria.
One sweet thing about Flutterwave is their dashboard. You can track your payments, set up products to sell, and even create invoices — all in one app. You don’t even need to pay for premium plans; everything essential is free.
But to get verified, Flutterwave will request your BVN, bank details, and if you’re registering as a business, your CAC documents and utility bill. Once you submit everything, you’re good to go.
2. Paystack
Paystack is like the OG in the Nigerian payment space. These guys really paved the way for many startups, and honestly, a lot of small businesses today can boldly say “if no be Paystack, we for no dey collect online money.”
Big brands like Printivo and MigoExpress use Paystack on their websites because it’s secure and has earned plenty trust over the years. Plus, it’s easy to integrate whether you’re using WordPress, Shopify, or custom code.
What’s even cooler? Paystack got acquired by Stripe — one of the biggest payment companies in the U.S. That should already tell you say dem no dey play.
With Paystack, you can accept local and international cards, bank transfers, and even USSD. Their API is developer-friendly, and the customer support is solid.
3. Kora
Kora, formerly known as Korapay, might not be as popular as Flutterwave or Paystack yet, but they’re doing serious work behind the scenes. If your business wants to expand beyond Nigeria — maybe into Kenya, Ghana, or South Africa — Kora is a strong option.
They provide full payment solutions: accept payments, send out payouts, verify your customer’s identity, and even issue virtual cards. Na complete fintech package dem dey run.
Another reason developers love Kora is their API. It’s very well documented, so integrating it into your site or mobile app won’t give you headache.
Trusted by companies like GIGL and Venco, Kora is especially great for businesses that need more than just card payments.
4. FirstPay
FirstPay might not be on everyone’s radar, but they’ve built something really solid. If you’re a merchant that wants something professional and flexible, you’ll like this one.
They provide full integration with your website so customers can pay you using their cards or bank accounts. And once the payments start rolling in, FirstPay gives you access to detailed reports, real-time transactions, and proper analytics.
The onboarding process is simple, and their customer support is on point — they offer 24/7 technical assistance and even assign a support team to help if any issues pop up.
So if you want something that works quietly but efficiently, FirstPay is worth considering.