Do I need CAC registration to sell online in Nigeria?

Not for occasional personal sales, but for any commercial activity register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) — either as a Business Name (sole trader) or a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Registration can be done online at pre.cac.gov.ng and typically costs ₦10,000–₦50,000.

How do I collect payments?

Paystack and Flutterwave dominate Nigerian online payments, both accepting Verve, Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer, and USSD. GeraMarket handles checkout and pays sellers weekly.

What are typical marketplace commissions?

GeraMarket Nigeria charges 3–8% commission depending on category. Jumia charges 5–15% plus shipping margin. Konga charges 7–15% plus fulfilment fees. Instagram DM selling has no platform fee but no buyer protection or analytics.

Which logistics partner should I use?

GIG Logistics, Kwik, DHL, FedEx, ACE and local DispatchRiders all serve Nigerian e-commerce. GeraMarket integrates with GIG and Kwik for discounted rates.

How to Sell Online in Nigeria: Seller Guide for 2026

Selling online in Nigeria in 2026 means registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as either a Business Name or Limited Liability Company, collecting payments via Paystack or Flutterwave, and shipping through GIG Logistics, Kwik, or an equivalent courier. Commission on a reputable marketplace typically runs 3–8%, and most successful sellers achieve sustainable margins of 20–40% after all costs.

This guide walks through the legal, payment, logistics, and marketplace choices that determine whether your Nigerian online business actually makes money.

How do I register legally?

Business Name: simplest, ₦10,000–₦15,000 fee, suitable for sole traders
Private Limited Company: more paperwork, ₦20,000–₦50,000, suitable for businesses planning to raise capital, hire staff, or protect personal liability

You'll also need a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from FIRS. For imports, CAC registration plus TIN lets you open an import licence. Under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, online sellers collecting customer data must comply with basic data protection rules.

How do I accept payments?

Nigeria has a highly developed fintech ecosystem:

Paystack: most popular, accepts Verve, Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer, USSD, Apple Pay
Flutterwave: equivalent to Paystack, good for cross-border
Opay/PalmPay: wallet-based, popular with younger and lower-income buyers
Bank transfer: NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) is near-universal
Cash on delivery: still significant share of Nigerian e-commerce, particularly outside Lagos/Abuja

How does logistics work?

GIG Logistics: nationwide, express and standard options
Kwik: same-day delivery in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt
DHL Express: international priority
Gokada/MAX.ng: motorcycle courier within Lagos
NIPOST: government postal service, cheap but slow
Local DispatchRider: per-kilometre rate for local deliveries

GeraMarket integrates directly with GIG and Kwik for label-generation and discounted rates.

What marketplace fees should I compare?

GeraMarket: 3–8% commission, no listing fees
Jumia: 5–15% plus shipping margin
Konga: 7–15% plus fulfilment fees
Instagram DM: 0% but no analytics, no buyer protection, no consumer trust, high cart abandonment
Your own Shopify store: $29+/month plus 2.9% card fees plus all marketing cost

What categories sell best from Nigeria?

Fashion: tailored Ankara, ready-to-wear, shoes
Beauty and cosmetics: skin care, hair extensions, wigs
Home goods and decor
Food and drink (local market primarily, diaspora also)
Electronics (domestic market)
Tech accessories and phone cases
Books and educational materials

Can I sell to buyers outside Nigeria?

Yes. The Nigerian diaspora in the US, UK, Canada, and Germany is sizeable and willing to buy authentic Nigerian goods online. GeraMarket supports cross-border listings with customs paperwork automation, multi-currency pricing, and integrated DHL/FedEx. Commission on international sales is the same as domestic.