The verdict in three sentences
A professional e-commerce store in Lagos launches in 10 to 15 days on a Starter budget of 1 000 000 FCFA (about 610 EUR) covering up to 50 products. By integrating Paystack, bank transfer and USSD from the start, you capture the vast majority of Nigerian buyers who pay by card or instant transfer. With an average basket around 18 000 FCFA equivalent and a healthy margin, return on investment materialises in 4 to 6 months.
Detailed budget to launch in Lagos
Cost depends on the chosen tier and recurring fees. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for Lagos.
| Item | Starter | Growth | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store development | 1 000 000 FCFA | 2 000 000 FCFA | 4 000 000 FCFA |
| Number of products | 50 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments integrated | Paystack + transfer | + Flutterwave + card | All + multi-currency |
| Delivery timeline | 10-15 days | 20-25 days | 30-40 days |
| Hosting /month | 25 000 FCFA | 40 000 FCFA | 75 000 FCFA |
| Maintenance /month | 50 000 FCFA | 100 000 FCFA | 200 000 FCFA |
For a first launch, the Starter tier at 1 000 000 FCFA is more than enough: a 50-item catalogue, mobile-optimised checkout and an order dashboard.
Payments and real fees
Lagos buyers favour cards and instant transfers. Here are the per-transaction fees to anticipate in 2026.
| Payment method | Buyer share | Provider fee | Settlement delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paystack card | 45 % | 1.5 % | 24-48 h |
| Bank transfer | 35 % | 1 % | Instant |
| USSD | 10 % | 1.5 % | 24-48 h |
| International card | 5 % | 2.9 % + 100 FCFA | 2-5 days |
| Cash on delivery | Variable | 0 % | On handover |
On an average basket of 18 000 FCFA equivalent paid by transfer, fees come to about 180 FCFA, a marginal cost against the revenue generated.
Mini case study
Chidi, a fashion creator in Lekki, launches her store on the Starter tier (1 000 000 FCFA). She sells 6 items a day at an average basket of 18 000 FCFA, i.e. 108 000 FCFA/day and about 3 240 000 FCFA/month. With a 35 % net margin, she nets 1 134 000 FCFA/month. After recurring costs (hosting 25 000 + maintenance 50 000 = 75 000 FCFA), she recovers her initial investment in just over one month of activity, reaching stable ROI by month 4.
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FAQ
How long does it take to launch a store in Lagos?
On the Starter tier, allow 10 to 15 working days from brief to go-live. The timeline mainly depends on how quickly you provide visuals and product sheets.
Are Paystack and transfers really essential?
Yes: together they cover the large majority of Lagos payments. Without instant transfer and card, you lose most conversions at checkout.
What is the minimum serious starting budget?
1 000 000 FCFA for the Starter store, plus about 75 000 FCFA/month in recurring fees. Also plan a small marketing budget of 100 000 to 200 000 FCFA for the first sales.
How quickly is the investment recovered?
With an average basket of 18 000 FCFA and a 30 to 40 % margin, ROI is generally reached in 4 to 6 months of regular activity.
Can I add products myself after delivery?
Yes, the admin dashboard lets you add, edit and remove products with no technical help. A one-hour training session is included at delivery.
Let's talk about your project. We launch your Lagos store in 15 days with card and transfer payments integrated. 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.