How to take naira and international payments on your website, what it costs, and how to set it up.
Last updated: September 2026
Short answer: most Nigerian businesses accept payments on their website with Paystack or Flutterwave. Both take cards, bank transfer and USSD, and connect to WordPress, Wix and Shopify. Paystack charges 1.5% + ₦100 on local payments, capped at ₦2,000. To accept payments from abroad, enable international payments in your dashboard; they settle in naira by default, or in dollars if you add a USD domiciliary account. Stripe does not operate directly in Nigeria.
Paystack vs Flutterwave Fees
| Payment type | Paystack | Flutterwave |
|---|---|---|
| Local payments (naira) | 1.5% + ₦100, capped at ₦2,000. The ₦100 is waived under ₦2,500. | 2.0% on local card payments |
| International cards | 3.9% + ₦100 (4.5% for American Express) | 4.8% |
| USD payments | 3.9% (needs a Zenith Bank USD domiciliary account) | See Flutterwave’s current pricing |
| Payment methods | Cards, bank transfer, USSD and more | Cards, bank transfer, USSD and more |
Both providers publish their fees on their websites and change them from time to time, so confirm current rates before you launch. With Paystack you can choose to absorb the fee or pass it to the customer.
How to Set Up Paystack on Your Website
- Create a Paystack account at paystack.com with your business email.
- Complete business verification: registered businesses provide CAC details and a business bank account; starter businesses have simpler requirements but lower limits.
- Get your API keys from Settings → API Keys. Use test keys first.
- Connect your website: on WordPress with WooCommerce, install the official Paystack plugin and paste your keys; on Wix, connect Paystack under Accept Payments; on Shopify, add a Paystack app.
- Test a payment with test cards, then switch to live keys and make one small real payment.
How to Accept International Payments
- Turn on international payments: on Paystack, request it at signup or later under Dashboard → Preferences, after your business is activated.
- Naira settlement by default: a customer abroad pays in their currency and you receive naira.
- Dollar settlement: to charge and receive US dollars through Paystack, add a Zenith Bank USD domiciliary account. Paystack says no minimum deposit is required to open it.
- Stripe: Stripe doesn’t operate directly in Nigeria. Paystack is a Stripe company and is its route for Nigerian businesses.
- Freelancers and invoicing: some businesses also use virtual USD account providers to receive payments from foreign clients. Check fees and limits carefully before relying on one.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Only offering bank transfer by account number. Manual transfers lose customers and make reconciliation hard. A payment page confirms payment automatically.
- Using a personal account for business payments, which can cause verification problems and lower limits.
- Skipping the test, then finding out from a customer that checkout is broken.
- Forgetting confirmation emails and receipts, which customers expect after paying online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paystack or Flutterwave: which is better?
Both are reliable. On published rates, Paystack is cheaper for local payments because of its ₦2,000 cap and lower international card fee. Flutterwave is popular for businesses selling across several African countries. Some businesses set up both as a backup.
Do I need a registered business?
You can start with a starter or individual account on some providers, but a registered business with a corporate bank account gets higher limits and fewer restrictions, and is required for some features such as international payments.
Can I accept payments without a full website?
Yes. Paystack and Flutterwave both offer payment links and simple payment pages you can share on WhatsApp or Instagram.
Can you set this up for me?
Yes. Our online store package includes Paystack or Flutterwave from ₦900,000, and we add payments to existing WordPress sites. See website pricing.
Start Taking Payments on Your Website
We connect Paystack or Flutterwave, test every step and make sure customers get receipts. Tell us about your website.
Choosing a platform first? Read WordPress vs Wix vs Shopify for a Nigerian business.