The verdict in three sentences
In Nigeria in 2026, the real cost of a Paystack payment is 1.5 % + 100 NGN on the merchant side, capped at 2,000 NGN, with 0 NGN for the customer. On a 6,000 NGN ticket that is 190 NGN per order. At 500 orders/month, the Paystack bill stays modest and well below the 2.5 to 3.5 % of some card processors.
The real cost of a Paystack transaction
Paystack combines a percentage and a fixed 100 NGN, but the 2,000 NGN cap protects large tickets. The customer pays nothing: the full cost sits on the merchant, keeping the displayed price clean.
| Ticket | Paystack fee (1.5 % + 100 NGN) | Net received |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 NGN | 100 NGN (100 NGN waived below 2,500) | ~900 NGN |
| 2,500 NGN | 138 NGN | 2,362 NGN |
| 6,000 NGN | 190 NGN | 5,810 NGN |
| 10,000 NGN | 250 NGN | 9,750 NGN |
| 50,000 NGN | 850 NGN | 49,150 NGN |
| 200,000 NGN | 2,000 NGN (capped) | 198,000 NGN |
Fee behavior around low tickets and waivers is a 2026 order of magnitude; confirm current thresholds with Paystack.
Monthly projection for 500 orders
| Average basket | Monthly revenue (500 orders) | Paystack fee | Card fee (3 %) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 NGN | 1,250,000 NGN | ~69,000 NGN | 37,500 NGN | varies |
| 6,000 NGN | 3,000,000 NGN | ~95,000 NGN | 90,000 NGN | ~ break-even |
| 10,000 NGN | 5,000,000 NGN | ~125,000 NGN | 150,000 NGN | 25,000 NGN |
| 50,000 NGN | 25,000,000 NGN | ~425,000 NGN | 750,000 NGN | 325,000 NGN |
The higher the basket, the more the 2,000 NGN cap and low percentage beat flat card rates.
Paystack Nigeria vs Wave CI: the comparison
| Item | Paystack NG | Wave CI |
|---|---|---|
| Local fee | 1.5 % + 100 NGN | 1 % |
| Cap | 2,000 NGN | None applied |
| International fee | 3.9 % + 100 NGN | n/a |
| Customer fee | 0 NGN | 0 FCFA |
| Settlement | T+1 | T+1 |
| Currency | NGN | XOF |
On big tickets the Paystack cap shields the Nigerian merchant, while Wave stays linear at 1 %.
Mini case study
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Chidi, who runs a restaurant in Lagos (Yaba), takes 600 orders/month via Paystack, average basket 6,000 NGN, i.e. 3,600,000 NGN revenue. His Paystack fees are roughly 114,000 NGN/month. On a 3 % card terminal he would pay 108,000 NGN — close, but Paystack adds T+1 settlement and cleaner reconciliation. On higher-value catering orders where the cap kicks in, Paystack pulls clearly ahead.
FAQ
Does the customer pay a Paystack fee?
No, the customer pays 0 NGN. The 1.5 % + 100 NGN sits entirely on the merchant, avoiding surprises at checkout.
Is there a fee cap?
Yes. In 2026 Paystack caps the local fee at 2,000 NGN, which strongly favors high-value tickets.
Is Paystack cheaper than a card terminal?
On medium and large tickets, generally yes, thanks to the cap. On very small tickets the 100 NGN component weighs more heavily.
When do I get paid?
Settlement is T+1: funds captured one day are available the next, easing daily cash flow.
Do I need a Paystack business account?
Yes, to accept payments as a merchant and access the API, dashboards and settlement. Onboarding is quick with your business documents.
Let's talk about your project. We compute your real Paystack cost and wire up collection. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
