E-commerce in Nigeria: The Opportunity
Nigeria's e-commerce market is growing rapidly, with online retail expected to reach $75 billion by 2025. More Nigerians are shopping online than ever before, creating massive opportunities for businesses.
But choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial. The wrong choice can cost you money, limit your growth, and frustrate your customers. This guide helps you make the right decision.
Platform Comparison
Custom E-commerce (React/Next.js)
Businesses wanting full control and scalability
Pros
- Complete customization
- No transaction fees
- Full ownership
- Best performance
- Unlimited scalability
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires developer for changes
- Longer development time
WooCommerce (WordPress)
Small to medium businesses on a budget
Pros
- Lower initial cost
- Large plugin ecosystem
- Easy content management
- Good for SEO
Cons
- Can be slow with many products
- Security requires attention
- Plugin conflicts possible
Shopify
Businesses wanting quick setup with less control
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quick setup
- Reliable hosting
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Monthly fees add up
- Transaction fees (unless Shopify Payments)
- Limited customization
- Shopify Payments not in Nigeria
Jumia/Konga Seller
Testing products before building own store
Pros
- No upfront cost
- Built-in traffic
- Logistics support
- Trust factor
Cons
- High commissions
- No brand control
- Competition on platform
- Limited customer data
Payment Gateways for Nigerian E-commerce
Accepting payments is crucial for any Nigerian online store. Here are the top options:
Paystack
Nigeria's most popular payment gateway. Easy integration, reliable, and trusted by major brands.
- • Transaction fee: 1.5% + ₦100 (capped at ₦2,000)
- • Supports cards, bank transfers, USSD
- • Excellent documentation
Flutterwave
Pan-African payment solution with wide coverage across Africa.
- • Transaction fee: 1.4% (local cards)
- • Supports multiple African countries
- • Good for cross-border payments
Our Recommendation
For most Nigerian businesses, we recommend:
Custom E-commerce with Next.js + Paystack
A custom-built e-commerce store gives you complete control, no monthly fees, and the best performance. Combined with Paystack for payments, it's the most cost-effective long-term solution for serious Nigerian businesses.
Why? No transaction fees beyond payment gateway, full ownership, unlimited customization, and better SEO than template solutions.
Ready to Start Selling Online?
Get a custom e-commerce store built for Nigerian customers with Paystack integration.