The verdict in three sentences
In Lagos, a 30-product online store with Paystack checkout and last-mile delivery launches in 15 days for ₦400,000 to ₦900,000 turnkey. Paystack fees sit around 1.5 % and a local dispatch rider costs ₦1,500 to ₦3,500 depending on the LGA. The real differentiator is not the website: it is the mobile-friendly checkout plus reliable delivery that decides your conversion rate.
What launching in Lagos costs
Budget depends mostly on product count, variants and delivery integration. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for a Starter to Growth store.
| Item | Starter (30 products) | Growth (unlimited) |
|---|---|---|
| Store development | ₦400,000 | ₦900,000 |
| Paystack + Flutterwave integration | Included | Included |
| International cards (Stripe) | — | ₦150,000 |
| Design + product photos | ₦80,000 | ₦180,000 |
| Delivery zone configuration | ₦50,000 | ₦120,000 |
| Turnkey total | ₦400,000–900,000 | ₦900,000–1,500,000 |
On top of that come recurring costs: managed hosting ₦15,000–45,000/month, maintenance ₦30,000–120,000/month and, optionally, SEO from ₦45,000/month.
Real payment and delivery fees
Mobile-first payment changes the unit economics versus cards. Here are the 2026 fees to build into your margin.
| Channel | 2026 fee | Settlement | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paystack checkout | ~1.5 % | T+1 | Widely used |
| Flutterwave | ~1.4 % | T+1 | Alternative |
| International card (Stripe) | 2.9 % + fixed | 2–7 days | Global |
| GIG/Kwik last-mile | ₦1,500–3,500 | Same day | By LGA |
| Outside Lagos | ₦2,500–6,000 | 24–72 h | Courier |
On an average basket of ₦18,000, Paystack takes about ₦270 versus ₦520 + fixed for an international card: over 300 orders/month, the gap exceeds ₦75,000/month in your favour.
The 15-day launch checklist
Days 1 to 3: catalogue, product pages and photos. Days 4 to 8: store development, cart and Paystack checkout. Days 9 to 11: delivery zone setup and payment webhook testing. Days 12 to 14: mobile QA on 3G, SEO content and legal pages. Day 15: go live and first campaign.
Mini case study
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Chioma, who runs a cosmetics store in Lekki, launches a Starter store for ₦700,000. Average basket ₦18,000, 260 orders in month one. Revenue: 260 × 18,000 = ₦4,680,000. Paystack fees (1.5 %): ₦70,200. Delivery is passed on to the customer: neutral. Adding hosting + maintenance (₦100,000/month), her store is paid off within the first month of trading, excluding cost of goods.
FAQ
How long to go live in Lagos?
Allow 15 days for a 30-product Starter store, including catalogue, Paystack checkout and delivery setup. An unlimited Growth store takes 20 to 30 days.
Paystack or Flutterwave?
Either, or both. Paystack (~1.5 %) has the widest merchant adoption; Flutterwave (~1.4 %) is a strong alternative. Offering both maximises conversion.
Do I have to handle delivery myself?
No. We integrate partner riders at ₦1,500–3,500 per Lagos delivery. The customer pays delivery at checkout, keeping your product margin intact.
Can I sell outside Nigeria?
Yes, by adding Stripe (2.9 % + fixed) for international cards and a regional courier. It is a Growth option at ₦150,000.
What are the monthly costs after launch?
Between ₦45,000 and ₦165,000/month depending on hosting, maintenance and SEO. A simple Starter runs around ₦100,000/month.
Let's talk about your project. We will scope your Lagos store with Paystack and delivery within 48 hours. 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.
