Top Ten Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria
The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta region during the 1950s propelled Nigeria, then considered a developing nation, onto the global stage. This valuable resource, often referred to as “black gold,” sparked what is historically known as the “Oil Boom.” By the late 1960s, Nigeria experienced a dramatic surge in oil production and revenue, fueled by rising global demand and prices. This transformation contributed to the country’s economic development and growth. In this article, we will delve into the top ten oil and gas companies in Nigeria. These industry leaders not only drive technological advancements but also play a crucial role in the overall economic progress of the nation. Top Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the state oil corporation responsible for the exploration, production, and marketing of oil and gas resources in Nigeria. As the largest oil producer in the country, NNPC plays a critical role in the economy. The corporation engages in various activities, including crude oil production, refining, and distribution of petroleum products. Office Location: Ikeja, Lagos Team Size: 100 – 600 Employees Year founded: 1977 ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded oil and gas companies in Nigeria, has been operating in the country since the 1900s. The company is involved in various aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, and refining. In Nigeria, ExxonMobil focuses on offshore oil production, providing a range of products such as crude oil, natural gas, and petrochemical derivatives. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1900s Team Size: 5000 Employees Shell has been operating in Nigeria since 1937 and is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the country. The company is engaged in various sectors of the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, refining, and distribution. Shell offers a wide range of products, including crude oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals, and is committed to sustainable development and community engagement. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria. Year founded: 1937 Team Size: 1000 – 5000 employees 4. Chevron Corporation Chevron has a significant presence in Nigeria, having established operations in the country in 1913. As one of the leading integrated energy companies globally, Chevron engages in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, and refining. In Nigeria, Chevron produces crude oil, natural gas, and various refined petroleum products, while also emphasizing sustainable practices and community development. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1913 Team Size: 200 – 1000 employees 5. Total Energies TotalEnergies, has been a prominent player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for decades. The company is involved in exploration, production, and refining, with a focus on both conventional and renewable energy sources. TotalEnergies provides a variety of petroleum products, including crude oil, natural gas, and fuels, while prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility in its operations. Office Location: Lagos Year founded: 1924 Team Size: 1000- 5000 employees 6. Ardova Plc Starting as AP Oil and Gas, Ardova PLC has evolved into a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector. The company is involved in the marketing and distribution of petroleum products, including fuel, lubricants, and gas. Ardova also invests in renewable energy solutions, making strides toward sustainable energy. Their extensive service stations and distribution networks ensure accessibility across Nigeria. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1965 Team Size: 7000 Employees 7. Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Established in 1994, Midwestern Oil and Gas is an independent oil exploration and production company focused on Nigeria’s onshore fields. The company is known for its participation in the OML 34 license, which has significant oil reserves. Midwestern offers services in oil exploration, production, and development, and is dedicated to sustainable operations and community involvement. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1994 Team Size: 1000 employees 8. Oando Oando operates across the entire oil and gas value chain, including exploration, production, refining, and distribution. Key products offered by Oando include crude oil, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, and lubricants. With a commitment to sustainable energy practices, Oando also focuses on renewable energy initiatives and strives to support economic development in the regions where it operates. Year founded: 1965 Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Team Size: 1000 employees 9. Lekoil Petroleum Lekoil is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on Nigeria. The company is primarily engaged in the exploration and development of oil and gas resources in Nigeria and the surrounding region. Lekoil aims to optimize production through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, offering services that include oil exploration, production, and development of oil fields. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2010 Team Size: 100 – 500 employees 10. Addax Petroleum Addax Petroleum was established in the 1990s, as a subsidiary of the Sinopec Group, focused on oil and gas exploration and production. The company operates primarily in Nigeria and is known for its expertise in deep-water and onshore oil fields. Addax offers a range of services, including oil exploration, production, and project development, with a commitment to sustainable practices and community engagement. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1994 Team Size: 501 – 1500 employees In conclusion, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector stands as a cornerstone of the country’s economy, powered by the expertise and contributions of its leading companies. Each of the top ten companies discussed, from the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to prominent multinationals like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron, as well as indigenous companies such as Oando and Midwestern Oil & Gas, play an essential role in driving the industry forward. Together, these organizations contribute to the discovery, extraction, and refining of petroleum resources, a critical source of revenue and economic stability for Nigeria. The diversity in scale and specialization of these companies—from multinational giants to independent players—demonstrates the sector’s adaptability and resilience. While some companies, such as Shell and Chevron, focus on offshore drilling and massive production capabilities, others, like Ardova and Midwestern Oil & Gas, concentrate on distribution, local markets, and sustainable practices. The involvement
Top Ten Microfinance Banks in Nigeria
Microfinance banks play an important role in Nigeria’s financial landscape by providing essential banking services to underserved populations and small businesses. They offer a range of financial products tailored to meet the needs of individuals and entrepreneurs who may not have access to traditional banking or want a more inclusive service for their financial needs. In this article, we will explore the top ten microfinance banks in Nigeria. These institutions not only foster financial inclusion but also contribute to the overall economic growth of the nation. Top Fintech Companies in Nigeria. 1. Kuda Microfinance Bank Termed “The Money app for Africans” KUDA is a digital-first microfinance bank that emphasizes convenience and accessibility. Its Founders, Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustafa sought to eliminate the frustration people had with excessive charges on their transactions with their traditional banks and as a result, KUDA was born. Kuda distinguishes itself with zero maintenance fees and no hidden charges, making banking affordable for everyone. Office Location: Ikeja, Lagos Team Size: 100 – 600 Employees Year founded: 2019 Key Services: Savings accounts, loans, budgeting tools. Source Microfinance Bank Source Microfinance Bank is dedicated to empowering small business owners and low-income earners through tailored financial products. The team led by Akainimoh Ojo seeks to create a financial service that attends to its clients every need. Their personalized approach ensures that their clients receive customized solutions that fit their unique financial situations. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2014 Team Size: 51 – 200 Employees Key Services: Savings accounts, Financial advisory services, and microloans. Baobab Microfinance Bank As the microfinance bank in Nigeria, Baobab Microfinance has set itself as a trusted partner for businesses and individuals, it focuses on promoting financial inclusion by offering a wide range of financial services to small businesses and individuals. Baobab is known for its flexible repayment plans and commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in their growth journeys. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria. Year founded: 2012 Team Size: 1000 – 5000 employees Key Services: Microloans, Savings products, and Business advisory services. AB Microfinance Bank AB Microfinance Bank aims to provide financial services that promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. Their focus on financial literacy and capacity building sets them apart, helping clients make informed financial decisions. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2009 Team Size: 200 – 1000 employees Key Services: Microloans, Savings accounts, Business Development Training Programs. Sparkle Microfinance Bank Established in 2020, Sparkle Microfinance Bank is a financial institution with its eyes set on revolutionizing the Microfinance space with a technological approach. One unique feature that sets Sparkle Microfinance Bank apart is its seamless app experience and commitment to digital banking. Office Location: Lagos Year founded: 2020 Team Size: 11- 50 employees Key Services: Savings accounts, Personal loans, and Expense tracking tools. LAPO Microfinance Bank LAPO Microfinance Bank is one of Nigeria’s Largest microfinance institutions, with over 15 branches and 7000 employees focusing on uplifting low-income individuals and communities. They are well-regarded for its community-focused approach and extensive outreach programs that educate clients on financial management. Office Location: Ikeja, Nigeria Year founded: 2002 Team Size: 7000 Employees Key Services: Microloans, Savings accounts, and Social empowerment programs. Assets Microfinance Bank Assets Microfinance Bank aims to provide innovative financial solutions for individuals and small businesses. Assets is known for its quick loan processing times, ensuring clients receive timely access to funds when they need them most. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2002 Team Size: 201 – 500 employees Key Services: Personal loans, Business loans, and Savings products. FINA TRUST Microfinance Bank FINA Microfinance Bank focuses on delivering accessible financial services to the unbanked and underbanked populations. FINA’s dedication to financial inclusion is evident in its outreach initiatives that target rural communities. FINA Trust’s mission is to raise the bar in microfinance banking by helping people and entrepreneurs improve their finances through great service and innovative products delivered by a skilled team. Year founded: 2017 Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Team Size: 51-100 employees Key Services: Microloans, Savings, and Insurance and Investment Products. VFD Microfinance Bank VFD Microfinance Bank blends traditional banking with innovative digital solutions to serve its customers effectively. VFD’s robust technology platform ensures a seamless banking experience and attractive interest rates on savings. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2018 Team Size: 50 – 100 employees Key Services: Payment Processing, Payment Solutions, Invoicing. RenMoney Microfinance Bank RenMoney is committed to providing quick and accessible financial solutions to individuals and small businesses. As a leading Microfinance bank in Nigeria, RenMoney stands out with its rapid loan approval process and transparent terms, making borrowing straightforward and hassle-free. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2012 Team Size: 501 – 1500 employees Key Services: Personal Loans, Business Loans, Savings and Investment Opportunities. FAQs About Microfinance Banks in Nigeria How do I Find a Microfinance Bank in Nigeria? There are several steps you can follow to ensure you find the right microfinance bank for your needs. Step 1: Define Your Goals and Needs Clearly define your goals and requirements. Decide what part of your finances are most in need of help and look for microfinance that fit that role. Step 2: Initiate Your Search Begin your search by going through the list we prepared. Explore Company websites, pay attention to conversations centered around Finance, and read through the websites of interesting companies. Step 3: Assess Their Online Presence Pay rapt attention to the quality of their online presence and reputation. Look for a clear information structure, easy navigation, and relevant services. Check their presence on social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook for more insights and reviews. Step 4: Get in Touch Download the apps of the shortlisted banks or contact them via email, highlighting your interests, and carefully read through the terms and conditions involved in using them. services
Top Ten Fintech Companies in Nigeria
The rise of technology-driven solutions has transformed how individuals and businesses manage their finances, paving the way for a diverse range of startups to flourish. Nigerian fintech companies are changing the financial landscape from seamless payment processing to automated savings and investment platforms. In this article, we’ll explore the top ten fintech companies in Nigeria, what they offer, and their impact on the market. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the fintech space, these companies represent the future of finance in Nigeria. Top Fintech Companies in Nigeria. 1. PiggyVest Description: Originally launched as Piggybank.ng as a savings-only platform, PiggyVest was designed to help Nigerians save and invest their money more effectively. Its automated savings feature allows users to set savings goals and automatically transfer funds from their accounts. PiggyVest offers savings, investments in various asset classes, and a financial education platform, making it easier for users to grow their wealth. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2016 Team Size: 50 -100 employees Key Services: Savings, investments in various asset classes, financial education. 2. Kuda Description: Kuda was founded to provide a digital banking solution tailored to the needs of Nigerians, especially the youth. It operates as a fully digital bank with no physical branches, offering a seamless banking experience through its app. As a top Fintech company in Nigeria, Kuda offers free bank accounts, minimal, almost negligible transaction fees, savings tools, budgeting features, and instant transfers, promoting a cashless society. It is also famous for its efficient customer service. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria. Year founded: 2019 Team Size: 100 -500 employees Key Services: Savings, Budgeting, Payment platform 3. Cowrywise Description: Cowrywise was created to simplify investment for everyday Nigerians, empowering them to build wealth through pooled investments. The platform allows users to invest in mutual funds without requiring significant capital, democratizing access to investment opportunities.: Cowrywise provides investment options, personal finance management tools, and educational resources to help users understand investing. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2017 Team Size: 51 – 200 employees Key Services: Investment, Finance Management, Financial Education 4. Moniepoint Description: Moniepoint is a product of TeamApt, which aims to improve access to financial services for businesses and individuals in Nigeria. Its focus on providing a comprehensive suite of services for merchants sets it apart in the fintech space and has revolutionized the way entrepreneurs and small businesses receive and send payments. Moniepoint offers payment processing, banking services for merchants, and tools for managing sales and inventory, making it ideal for small businesses. Office Location: Lagos Year founded: 2021 Team Size: 51- 100 employees Key Services: Payment Processing, Inventory Management, Banking. 5. Opay Description: Launched by Opera Software, OPay started as a payment platform to provide financial services to the unbanked population in Nigeria. OPay integrates multiple services, including payments, food delivery, and transportation, creating a super app for everyday needs. The platform offers payment processing, mobile money transfers, and a range of merchant services, making transactions seamless for users. Office Location: Ikeja, Nigeria Year founded: 2013 Team Size: 10 -50 Employees Key Services: Loans, Savings, Point of Sale Services. 6. Remita Description: Developed by SystemSpecs, Remita started as a payment platform for government agencies and has expanded to serve businesses and individuals. Its ability to facilitate payments across multiple channels and work with various financial institutions sets it apart. Remita provides payment processing, payroll management, and invoicing solutions, making it a comprehensive tool for businesses and government bodies. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2005 Team Size: 11 – 50 employees Key Services: Payment Processing, Payroll Management 7. Paystack Description: Founded by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, Paystack was born from a desire to simplify online payments in Nigeria. Its user-friendly interface and robust API enable businesses to integrate payment processing seamlessly. It offers online payment solutions, fraud protection, and analytics tools, helping businesses manage their transactions effectively. Year founded: 2015 Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Team Size: 11-200 employees Key Services: Fraud Protection, Analytics, Payment Processing 8. Flutterwave Description: Flutterwave was co-founded by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Olugbenga Agboola, and others, with the goal of simplifying cross-border payments in Africa. The company was born out of a desire to create a seamless payment infrastructure for businesses across the continent. Flutterwave’s platform allows businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies from customers around the world, making it a powerful tool for e-commerce. Office Location: Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2008 Team Size: 50 – 100 employees Key Services: Payment Processing, Payment Solutions, Invoicing. 9. Carbon Description: Carbon started as a digital lending platform aimed at providing easy access to credit for Nigerians, especially the underserved population. Its quick loan approval process and credit scoring system based on alternative data make borrowing accessible and efficient. Carbon provides personal loans, payment solutions, and investment opportunities, enhancing financial inclusivity. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2012 Team Size: 6 – 50 employees Key Services: Personal Loans, Investment Opportunities. 10. myStash myStash emerged from a need for better personal finance management tools in Nigeria, particularly for younger generations. It provides users with personalized financial advice and tools tailored to their spending habits. myStash offers budgeting tools, savings plans, and insights into user spending patterns to encourage better financial decision-making. Office Location: Ikeja, Lagos Team Size: 6 -10 Employees Year founded: 2021 Key Services: Saving plans, Budgeting tool, Payment platform for both domestic and International brands, automated savings FAQs About Fintech Companies in Nigeria How do I Find a Good Fintech Company in Nigeria? When searching for a Fintech Company, there are several steps you can follow to ensure you find the right one for your needs. Step 1: Define Your Goals and Needs Clearly define your goals and requirements. Decide what part of your finances are most in need of help and look for fintech companies that fit that role. Step 2: Initiate Your Search Begin your search by going through the list we prepared. Explore Company websites, pay attention to conversations centered around Finance, and read through the
Top Ten Real Estate Companies in Nigeria
Land is a crucial asset in the real estate sector, playing a key role in economic development and wealth creation. Its value often increases over time, making it a significant factor in real estate transactions and investment strategies. In recent years, ambitious entrepreneurs have recognized that acquiring and developing land is a viable way to build multigenerational wealth. This recognition has led to the emergence of numerous real estate companies in Nigeria. With countless options available, finding the right real estate company is essential for success. To simplify the search for real estate options, we have compiled a list of the top ten real estate companies in Nigeria. Top Real Estate Companies in Nigeria. 1. DUTUM Description: With over 20 years of experience in construction, Dutum remains the topmost real estate company in Nigeria. Building real estate in rural and urban areas, including but not limited to acreage, small town, and country homes, recreational cabins, retirement property, and waterfront properties, they are known in Nigeria and Africa for a term called “Peace of mind Engineering” With a professional, trained, and dedicated team and a track record of successful developments, Dutum is the real estate company to trust for exceptional results. Office Location: Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan Year founded: 1994 Key Services: Real Estate, Facility Management, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Building Construction Industries Served: Housing, Engineering, Real Estate, Procurement. Ready to start your Journey in Real Estate? Get in touch with our experts. 2. Jide Taiwo & Co Description: Recognized by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria [ESVARBON] Jide Taiwo and Co is a professional real estate company in Nigeria. With their deep understanding of the real estate space in Nigeria, they work hard to drive their real estate solutions to their target audience with the use of cutting-edge technology.Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2012 Team Size: 500 employees Key Services: Property Management, Facility Management, Project Development, Consultancy, Valuation. 3. Adron Homes and Properties Description: At Adron Homes and Properties, their main goal is to deliver on their promise to secure suitable housing for everyone across Nigeria. With over 12 years of Real Estate Innovation and Transformation and 9 estates in different parts of Nigeria, They are committed to expanding their client base and showcasing their affordable real estate listings. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria. Year founded: 2012 Team Size: N/A Key Services: Property Management, Real Estate. 4. Sujimoto Construction Limited Description: When you think of luxury real estate, think of Sujimoto Construction Limited. As Nigeria’s premier luxury real estate company, Sujimoto sets the standard for opulence and sophistication through breathtaking architecture. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, elegance, and precision, we craft extraordinary living spaces that redefine the boundaries of luxury. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2014 Team Size: 11 – 50 employees Key Services: Shortlet services, Real Estate, Consultancy, 5. Penek Nigeria Limited Description: Pennek Nigeria Limited is a Real Estate company that deals with Real estate investment, development, and management. With excellence, integrity, and professionalism as their watchword, they plan to deliver affordable luxury homes to their clientele across Nigeria. Office Location: Lagos Year founded: 2010 Team Size: 100 – 500 employees Key Services: Property Management, Real Estate Investment, Project Development 6. Besitz Properties Description: Besitz Groups hope to partner with their clients to create lasting prosperity, and to provide financial security and success through real estate solutions. As a top real estate company in Nigeria, they customize the real estate journey for their clients by only providing listings that meet their needs, cutting out mindless hours spent visiting unsuitable listings, they also provide investment options for land seekers and homeowners Office Location: Abuja, Nigeria Year founded: 2012 Team Size: 10 -50 Employees Key Services: Real Estate, Land Development, Investment, 7. Land Republic Description: With offices in Nigeria & USA, Land Republic aims to revolutionize the Real Estate industry with the use of innovative solutions that help their clients achieve their dreams. They are also on a mission to make real estate acquisition a streamlined process by offering digitalized real estate investment. Their experience is not only limited to Nigerian real estate as they are currently managing portfolios that span countries. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: N/A Team Size: 11 – 50 employees Key Services: Land charting, Property Management, Real estate sale, Citizenship Investment 8. Abuja Property Development Company Description: Abuja Property Development Company was founded in 1994 as a subsidiary of what is now the Abuja Investment Company Limited, and with 30 years of experience, they are committed to providing top-quality real estate construction services to their clients, Year founded: 1994 Office Location: Abuja, Nigeria Team Size: 11-200 employees Key Services: Real Estate Construction, Facility Management, Consultancy, 9. Fine and Country Description: Founded in 2008, Fine and Country, an award-winning real estate company in Nigeria, they have redefined the term ‘Luxury Real Estate’ by providing listings with top-notch architecture and construction to their clientele Office Location: Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 2008 Team Size: 50 – 100 employees Key Services: Development, Consultancy, Real Estate Research, Branding, Project Administration 10. Cappa and D’Alberto Description: Established in 1932, Cappa and D’alberto are one of Nigeria’s oldest construction companies with a track record of delivering excellent construction and engineering services to their clients in various parts of Nigeria and outside its shores. With well-trained professionals and top-notch technology, equipment, and structured Health Safety and Environment Policies, they offer cost-friendly construction and engineering services to projects be it small or large. Office Location: Lagos, Nigeria Year founded: 1932 Team Size: 50 – 100 employees Key Services: Construction, Facility Management. FAQs About Real Estate Companies in Nigeria What are the 4 Types of Real Estate? The 4 types of real estate are Land, Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Real Estate. Land This simply refers to undeveloped land, land seekers and business owners usually prefer this type of real estate as it gives them the freedom and creativity to build what they desire. Commercial Another type is Commercial, Which is
Best Online Payment Gateways In Nigeria For E-Commerce Transactions
Conducting cashless transactions in Nigeria is simpler because of the presence of online payment gateways. With these gateways, individuals can make payments between different banks, visiting none of their branches. However, with many online payment gateways now in Nigeria, you need to choose a gateway that will ensure you have seamless transactions. You’ll have to make this choice yourself, as you’ll see some of the best gateway payment systems in the country and how they function. What Are Online Payment Gateways? A payment gateway is a standard system that makes it possible for individuals to process payments using debit/credit cards. It follows a standard procedure as it encrypts confidential data and makes the needed transfer between a vendor, bank, and customer. This gateway functions as a payment portal and the bank as a payment processor. Hence, the payment gateway creates communion between the three participants of the payment process. This way, it ensures every transaction runs safely by applying various anti-fraud tools and acting under all stipulated compliances. When you consider it technically, all payment gateways sit a layer above the payment processor. It draws its data from the user and redirects the payment to the processor in an understandable format depending on the chosen payment format. How To Choose a Payment Gateway Every online payment gateway has certain specifics or areas wherein they perform better than others. With this in mind, your choice of a system must synchronize with your goals. So, before you choose any gateway, consider these specifics that include: #1. Price Structure Because of the inclusion of diverse financial organizations, processing payments is not a straightforward process. Like any service, a payment gateway demands a fee for using third-party tools to process and authorize every form of transaction. Every party to this process pays certain processing charges fees. The cost of charge always depends on the type of product/service and the location as well. Each payment solution has its terms and conditions. After setting up an account, do well to read up their pricing to get a grapple of their offerings. #2. Identify Merchant Account Options A merchant account is simply an agreement between a merchant and an acquiring bank, by which a merchant gives the bank permission to process their transactions. Furthermore, a merchant duly abides by the operational regulations of all card processing established by credit card companies. You can open a merchant account through a bank or payment gateway providers. They usually offer merchant accounts as a part of their overall service with payment processors an added tool. If you already have a merchant account, consider what that provider offers. Otherwise, it’s better to work with a provider that offers a merchant account from the start. #3. Ensure Vendor Adopts Multiple Currencies and Payment Processes According to Statista, the majority of shoppers use credit cards compared to e-payment platforms and debit cards. Despite these numbers, mobile payments generate more revenue to business each year, globally gaining about $930 billion. In eCommerce, you conduct mobile transactions using e-wallets. Applications such as Apple Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay store your credit card information or store your money on their own. So, make sure your payment gateway supports all the necessary payment methods that are popular in your specific industry, region, or country. #4. Product Type is Permissible Products are divided into digital and physical products. Many payment solution providers offer their services both for physical and digital products. However, it’s not rare for only one type of product to be available in a system. Hence, before completing your subscription, make sure your product is permissible. Best Online Payment Gateways In Nigeria For E-Commerce Transactions Following all conversations regarding online payment gateways and the indicators you must track before you choose a gateway, you now need to learn some of the best payment gateways in Nigeria. They include: #1. Flutterwave Flutterwave is an African-based Fintech company bundled with the responsibility of providing payment infrastructure for global merchants and payment service providers across the continent. With an efficient system, they rank as one of the top online payment gateways in Nigeria and Africa. Recently, Flutterwave brokered a deal with major online payment gateway Paypal and this partnership led to the two platforms sharing some connection. In pricing, Flutterwave charges a 1.4% processing fee per local transaction. It also set processing fees at N2,000 but unlike Paystack, there’s no additional NGN 100 fee. For international transactions, Flutterwave charges a 3.9% (+ NGN 100) and a 3.8% processing fee respectively. #2. Dusupay DusuPay provides a very secure, efficient, simple, and fast infrastructure to process payments for businesses globally in Africa. Because of their credibility, multi-million dollar companies trust them to process all their payments in Africa. They have an API that’s easy to use, as you can set it up in minutes. With comprehensive payment solutions for Africa, expanding their boundaries and collecting payments from different paths of the world is part of their core function. Dusupay charges 4.9% for all Visa and MasterCard card collections and a 3.9% collection on all verve cards and instant bank wires. They have two plans which include the standard and enterprise plan. #3. Paystack Paystack is one of the fastest and simplest ways to accept online payments in Nigeria. This platform automatically routes payments through the most optimal channels, boasting the highest transaction success rates in the market. Paystack’s combination of automated and manual fraud systems protects its users from fraudulent transactions and associated chargeback claims. As a user, you get detailed reporting, alerts, and exports, so you and your team are always on top of business. Paystack charges 1.5% + N100 for all payments made through their gateway. And the duration of every transaction on this platform lasts a maximum of 24 hours, i.e. if a customer makes a payment on Monday, you will receive an alert on Tuesday. #4. CashEnvoy CashEnvoy is a payment service that allows businesses to receive payment online. The payment platform began operations in November
20 Best Templates For eCommerce Website Design
There are many things to consider in eCommerce website design to ensure it solves your problem. Having a website for your business is the best way to maximize the digital space to grow your business. This is because a website would allow you to reach a wide range of people and grow your business especially if it’s designed well. There is a wide range of eCommerce website templates for WordPress or other cms like Magento, open cart, and Presta shop. In the course of this article, we would show you the best 20 templates for your eCommerce website to stand out. These templates are either integrated into the CMS you’re using or you can get it externally and link it to your website. Both free and paid plans are available, the one you choose depends on the features you want and your budget. Features of the best template for an eCommerce website design In choosing a template for your eCommerce website, you should consider the following features; Responsiveness This is how well the template works while you use it. A good template should be easy to navigate and respond to a users’ behavior in one click. Mobile friendly Can this template work well on mobile devices?. Technology has gone mobile and more people are accessing the internet with their mobile phones. If your website is not optimized for mobile, you would lose the digital battle. Complexity A good eCommerce website should accommodate different types of product types and features. Any template you choose should accommodate any type of product thrown at it for it to be ranked as the best. Diversity Similar to accommodate different types of products, good eCommerce templates should support different features too. Why should you use a template if it cannot solve the different problems you would like to solve with your website? Support integration When you want to incorporate another software, a good template should accommodate that. A good eCommerce template should work well with other external tools. Automation You should go for a template that allows your cart to update automatically. With this, you won’t have to keep updating your software manually. This should save you time and energy. Customizability You should be able to tweak your eCommerce template to suit your styles and needs. A good template should be that flexible. customer support This is often neglected but very important. How fast you get help when things go wrong would determine how well a template will serve you. Always go for a template with efficient customer support. 20 best templates for an eCommerce website design Seeing the factors to consider before choosing your website template, were recommend the following templates for you Shella This is known to be multipurpose and diverse. Shella is a WordPress website that will offer you the following; 99+ pre-designed pages 10+ ready to use designs Multi-currency support Optimized UI elements Megamenu builder Product filter Dynamic checkout button Shella is also available on woo-commerce and Shopify Gecko Gecko is known to be very responsive. Being responsive is easily the best thing to check out for your website and Gecko is the best choice for that. Porto Porto has clean and modern designs with so many customizable options. With Porto, you also get; 20 homepage layouts Unlimited color options Lots of product detail variation Light and dark variation Fast and responsive 3000+ admin function Wookiee Wookiee is a very flexible WordPress theme that comes with a support video to teach you how to set it up. With wookiee there are; Megamenu Instagram shop/feed Wishlist Compare Related product Specialized price countdown Wanium Wanium is a multi-concept WordPress theme that allows you to do a lot of things at the same time. There are plenty of demos to choose from and it can adapt to so many product quick views. Ella Ella is also known to be very responsive. Ella will give you the following; A special category module that displays all category Filterable products Integration with google fonts Unlimited color/style options Custom links and icons for social media Displays payment options Product variation Support google snippet Comes with related products Slider and a slider for recently viewed products which can boost your conversion rate Ione Ione is very minimalistic yet it comes with 12 specific demos, variation of layouts, Instagram integration, AJAX cart wishlist, flexslider, autocomplete search, grid, and list layout toggle, quick view pop up, and layered navigation. Arredo Arredo is best for furniture stores. It contains the best features to design and set up your online furniture store. Gioio This is best for modern fashion products. If your brand is about selling fashion items you should go for this as it will easily suit your products. It comes with the following; Luxurious sliders with full-width imagery Layers photography behind the text Contains an email sign up box to a blog Visual cues like “sold out” signs on products Ability to mark a product as “favorite” without having to leave the homepage Pearl Peal helps users find relevant products easily and quickly. It comes with the following; Custom pearl slider Create and manage responsive slide shows Handles seamless transactions Depot Depot is best for furniture and homeware. It is simple and it can accommodate other products too. It can combine imagery with content reserved for headlines or further text without losing its shape. It also shows movement when users scroll over the site. Suprema Suprema is very versatile and customizable. There are a lot of demos to choose from which accommodates various products with different colors, size, and style. These 2 features stood out with suprema; Wishlist functionality Optional top header Market The market is a very responsive template for Magento sites. It is customizable, suitable for any store, and easily integrates with the different Magento extensions. In addition, it contains; 8 different homepage layouts Various color and style options Four header styles Stunning slideshows Quick product views Rich snippet support Customizable static blocks A search box that allows
Ultimate Guide On How To Advertise On Youtube
Since video marketing is a digital marketing strategy, it is only right to learn about youtube and how to maximize the platform for effective marketing. YouTube is a search engine so you will need to optimize your content for the YouTube algorithm, just like you do for Google SEO. Let’s say you’ve created your YouTube channel and you’re ready to start advertising, the next thing is to optimize your profile YouTube marketing involves creating promotional videos, working with influencers, and advertising on the youtube platform. Getting Started with advertising on Youtube-Creating a Youtube Channel First step: Create a Google Account Second Step: Log in to Youtube and create your business channel using your Google Account Note: Make sure your youtube channel is created with your brand’s email account to avoid future complications. Also, using the official email account for your business will allow multiple people in your company to manage and update your youtube pages and you can even create multiple youtube channels with the account. Step 3: Optimize your profile This is where you: Step 4: Start creating and posting video contents The kind of content you create on youtube should come from a place of researching your audience. This is to be sure you’re creating the kind of things your audience likes to see. How to advertise on Youtube- Post the kind of videos your audience will love Take your time to learn the kind of thing they like watching on youtube Maximize the analytics to get valuable insights into your audience’s demographics and interests. Helps you check for mentions of your brand. You need it to know what people are saying about your brand. A competitor analysis involved checking the following: Do a check and balance. Don’t copy, just compare and find the gap. Learn from your findings. Check on the best kind of thumbnail that works, the best way to post videos, how to add links, Editing methods, text pop-ups, other effects, etc. This is by doing keyword research to find out what your audience is searching for. After creating a video, add these keywords at the right places while posting. This is to break your video into chapters, giving your viewers the choice of skimming through. While writing your description, go straight to the point and be sure to include the following: This is very important for views. Let it not be a screenshot from your video. Use your photo and your brand’s element. Youtube recommends your thumbnail to be in the 16:9 format with a minimum size of 1280×720 pixels You can schedule with Hootsuite. Consider timing, the same way you do for your social media. Make sure your channel and profile reflect your branding and maintain a consistent branding element throughout your videos. This will make your videos easy to be found. This is a commercial representing what your channel is all about. This is important to introduce what you’re about before you start creating content. How to advertise on Youtube – Best tips for Youtube advertising You don’t only use videos for advertising, you can use banners, text, images, etc. and you can make it skippable or unskippable. Youtube runs through the Google ads platform and being successful at it requires a strategy of its own. Before youtube ads: Types of YouTube ads Note that display ads can also be shown on YouTube. They are not videos, they’re just text and a thumbnail, and they show up across Google’s Display network. Best tips on how to advertise on youtube How to advertise on Youtube: Choose the best ad format for your goal There are many different ad formats available for Youtube advertising. From bumper ads to sponsored cards to display ads to skippable or non-skippable video ads. What’s your goal for advertising on YouTube? That should guide you in choosing the right format for you. If your goal is for Brand awareness, then Trueview in-stream ads will be more suitable so that people will see it better while they’re watching a video. And if it’s for getting leads to your website, display ads are the best. How to advertise on Youtube: Each ad format should have a different campaign. If you’re using multiple formats for your campaigns it’s best to have a different budget and strategy for each format so it will be easier to monitor and manage. Since each format performs differently, you should approach them differently. How to advertise on youtube: Target the right people Target people who are already interested in your product. Take advantage of the Youtube targeting algorithm for this. How to advertise on youtube: Don’t joke with retargeting Once someone shows interest in your product, target them. This is because they’ve already indicated an interest in your brand either by liking any of your videos, visiting your page, etc. They are your warm audience and they would be more likely to buy than people who haven’t engaged with your brand at all. How to advertise on Youtube: Put a strong call to action Also, make use of interactive content in your video. E.g call to action cards, auto-end screens, etc. The main goal for your ads is to convert and you can’t do this without a strong call to action. How to advertise on Youtube: Create quality content In creating your videos for YouTube ads, don’t forget that content is the ultimate. It determines if viewers will click your call to action or watch till the end. Invest in creating good content, you can hire the best digital marketing agency to do it for you. How to set up your Youtube ads It could be: Your campaign type could be search results, text, shopping, etc. Then select the video(since you want to advertise on Youtube) and select the type you want. Side note: Name a campaign in a way to easily locate and manage it. This is where you select your big strategy and budget. For Bid strategy, it could be for Conversions, Clicks, or
How Much Does It Cost To Build a Website for Small Businesses?
Should your business have a website? Yes Should you invest in a quality website for your business? Yes This is because your website is the face of your business in the online space (Asides from your social media pages). Investing in a quality website means investing in giving a good first impression for your brand. Each page on your website tells something about your business. Whether it’s your homepage, your product, and services page, your blog and news page, your contact information page, etc. Having a quality website is having a website that clearly represents what your business is about. Your site should be beautiful just like your physical store or business location. You should treat your website building as you would treat your company’s physical structure. Paying attention to aesthetics, structure, and arrangement, the information displayed, the color, etc. The process of building your website will cost you money, sometimes a lot, depending on the nature of your business. In the course of this article, you would learn the factors that contributes to your website building cost, how to calculate the cost of your site and how much you should budget. A range of so many factors affects how your site will look and how much it will cost you. Factors such as the nature of your business, the size of the website you want, the features it will contain, how complex it would be, and most importantly who is building the site all contributes to the cost of building your website. Small business site costs depends on a range of factors, from design preferences to must-have features. How much does building a website cost in 2022? On average, small businesses will spend $2000 to $10,000 to build a site. The cost to create a site for your small business will depend on your site’s features. Websites with more features or custom-built components generally cost more due to their complexity. This average includes purchasing your domain name and web hosting plan, as well as designing and building your site. How much your business pays to create your website will depend on its size, features, and complexity. Factors that contributes to the cost of building a website. Domain name of the website Remember that you should treat the building of your website as you’re building your business’s physical structure. Your domain name is like your street address e.g Socialander resides in Socialander.com. You can purchase your domain name from a range of domain name brands like Dreamhost, Godaddy, Hostage, etc. A domain name would cost you from $0.95 to $12 depending on what you want and how competitive it is. If your domain is not available, you choose another option. You can also negotiate with the owner of your domain name, this would cost you more. Hosting: Imagine your web hosting as the company that powers your land(Domain house). It is like a company that provides the things you need in your building. Web hosting companies make your website available on the net. You can say web hosting makes your house a home. The prices range from $24 to $24,000 per year depending on what you want. As a small business, you can use shared hosting, this will cost around $24 to $120 per year. Shared hosting will work well for you if your website requires little content. You can always upgrade your plan whenever you need to add more features. SSL Certificate: This means Secure Socket Layer. This protects your website and its visitors. It protects your business and brand from the effects of hacking. Note that a web hosting company may include an SSL certificate as a package for your subscription. You may also opt to purchase an SSL certificate according to your need. SSL certificate will cost you from $0 to $1500 per year. Design complexity of the website The design you prefer may be simple or complex. You would need multiple designs and templates to accommodate all the pages on your website. The cost of design can vary from $2000 to $15000. This depends on whether you hire a UI/UX designer or you buy online. Number of pages: The number of pages on your website determines the cost. More pages on your website mean more money. This is because it takes time and energy to build these pages. Pages are something your website cannot do without. Each area and section of your business should have a separate page on your website. This will make navigation very easy for customers. As a small business, your website will contain fewer pages which will cost you less. The cost for building pages will range from $1000 to $5000 Functionality: Adding functionalities like payment, reviews, and comments, booking a session, photo speaks, etc would cost you more. Small businesses would require fewer functionalities on their website at the onset, but as time goes on, more functionalities should be added. The cost of adding functionalities ranges from $2000 to 25000. CMS: This is the content management system. This software lets your business create, manage and update your content without coding. An example of this software is WordPress. WordPress is without doubt the most used content management system in the world. Top organizations and businesses are moving their websites to WordPress. This is due to the ease and functionality of the content management system. With a good content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, you can easily log in to your site and change things like pricing, service, news, etc. Without having to need a developer. On average, CMS will cost you from $2000 to $24000 depending on your preferences and the level of customization needed. Other reliable content management system includes; Joomla and Drupal The developer: This involves whether you’re doing it yourself or contacting a professional. Building your business website yourself will take your time and energy. You have to take your time to learn how a website is developed after buying everything you need. But it’s going to
Native App Vs. Mobile Web App
One of the ways to take your brand’s online presence to the next level is to have a mobile app or native app. Both have striking differences, read on to know more and choose the one your business deserves. The advent of smartphones had presented a new way of communicating with your customers. Instead of inviting them to your shop, you can put your shop as an App on their phones. The good thing about having an app for your business is that it lets you have direct communication with your customers and clients just with a touch of a button. Having an App is the best way to give your customers a truly mobile experience. That is, they don’t need to go outside their phone before they can communicate with your brand and they won’t miss out on anything concerning your brand, once they are with their phones. When you give your customers the luxury of accessing your services just with their phone, they tend to like your brand and this can lead to greater customer loyalty. Now that you know the importance of having an App for your business, you might be asking which is better. A native App or a Mobile Web App? Let’s quickly understand the difference between the two Native Web app vs. Mobile web app The designs for these two kinds of apps are similar and follow the same color scheme and fonts, but they are essentially two different products. Native App They are also called mobile apps. A native app is built for a particular operating system(either Apple IOS or Android) and it leverages the functionalities of a mobile device which makes it unique. It needs to be installed on a device for it to work. The apps can be available on App Stores like the Apple app store or Google play store. Advantages of native App Disadvantages of native app Mobile Web App These types of apps can only be accessed through a mobile device’s web browser. It is not built to fit a particular operating system and it is accessible to any device capable of surfing the web. It doesn’t need to be installed on a phone device. Advantages of web app Disadvantages of web app Website vs Web app A web app is part of a website with special functionality. The major differences between the two are how they are built and why they are built. A website is hosted on a single or multiple web servers. It is accessible via a network like the Internet or a private local area network via IP address. While a web app is usually created using languages like HTML, CSS, Javascript, which are supported by major browsers. While the backend could use any programming stack like LAMP, MEAN, etc. Unlike mobile apps, there is no specific SDK for developing web applications. Websites are usually created to place your business online and make it accessible to anybody. But for a web app, the goal is for interact with the end-users. A website displays collected data and information on a specific page while for a web app, the user not only reads the content but also interacts with it and takes specific actions, manipulates data, and makes requests for different outputs that are not available on websites. Web applications are websites with functionality and interactive elements. Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. are all web apps that are dynamic and built for user engagement. Native app or web app, which one is better for your business? What determines the kind of app you would build for your business depends on these things: In summary, choosing the kind of app for your business requires you to compare the pros and cons of both native and web apps, weigh the options and choose the one most suitable for your business goals. Are you ready to have an app for your business and do you need professionals to do it? Socialander digital agency will help you do that, You can hire Socialander just by clicking on “I need your app development services”
Professional Android App Development Services
The mobile apps we use every day have changed the way we do business, the way we communicate and consume entertainment and the way we get to know the world. For this reason., your business has to be visible to the larger part of the populace that uses android devices. And the next section would explain this to you. Why Socialander’s Professional Android App Development Services? Applications play a key role in any business mobile strategy. Apart from making client communications easier, it helps businesses understand their customer behaviours and demographics. Hence, businesses can produce products and proffer services that hit on the customer’s needs. Our team of developers understands that your business depends on applications to solve the bridge problem. We have developed a system that allows you to have your own application using a system of features that engages and helps you retain your customers. If you’re this business professional that wants to enter a higher phase of customer numbers and profits, then book a free consultation session with our team. However, if you’re not convinced that you need our android app development services, then you can keep reading to discover how you’re losing money and customers. What is Android Development? Android software development is the process by which applications are created for devices running the Android operating system. Google states that “Android apps can be written using Kotlin, Java, and C++ languages” using the Android software development kit (SDK), while using other languages is also possible. The Android app development architecture starts with the main user interface which supports the front end of the android applications; these can include applications such as calculator, clock, Email, and alarm, etc. The second layer of the android architecture is the android framework which comprises the windows firewall, service providers, and all the various managers such as packages manager and activity manager, etc. The third layer consists of the Libraries and Android runtime, comprising SQL, SSL, SQLite, and Lib-c, etc. The lowest layer of an OS system consists of the Kernel which has all the drivers such as Wi-Fi driver and Bluetooth driver etc. What are the Professional Android App Development Services? Android app development used to be the business of only the most learned programmer. However, with the rise of hybrid application development, non-mobile developers can also build apps without stress. So, if you have no experience in programming or creating Android apps, Here is the list of online services that make it possible for non-developers to create Android apps without much complex coding: Appery.io Mobile roadie TheAppBuilder Good Barber Appy Pie AppMachine Game salad AppMakr #1. Appery.io A platform for building mobile apps: Appery.io Credit: Appery.Io Appery is a cloud-based mobile app builder that lets you build apps for Android or iOS, and includes Apache Cordova (Phone Gap), Ionic, and jQuery Mobile with access to the built-in components. Since the builder runs in the cloud, you don’t have to install or download anything and you can get started quickly. The Appery App Builder includes a visual editor that uses drag-and-drop components to create the user interface. Appery will automatically generate the code for all the components you enter. You can connect to any REST API and use it in your app and instantly add a cloud database and backend to your app when you need to store data. You can add powerful features with the Appery plugins catalog or create your own custom private plugins to use in your apps. When you work with a team, it’s easy to share your project with them and collaborate in real-time for an additional fee. #2. Mobile roadie Mobile Roadie is an app maker that anyone can use to create and manage their own iOS or Android app. In fact, the building is very visual. The platform supports all media types, with automatic import of RSS, Twitter, or Google News keywords and an automatically updated fan wall for real-time communication with users. You can view your app in detail from the Mobile Roadie backend, just like your users would on their devices. They will also walk you through the App Store submission process, with Mobile Roadie reviewing the quality and appropriateness of your content. This app builder also gives you the option to send push notifications. This can be content from your own website or from the platform itself. The platform as a whole is language-independent, so you can retrieve data in a variety of formats, including XML, JSON, PHP, CSV, and HTML. When you get started you will be presented with several layout options, but you can also customize them to your liking. I want to say that Mobile Roadie is more suited to a brand or service than a product. #3. TheAppBuilder TheAppBuilder offers a suite of apps for employees, customers, events, and brochures with two different approaches. This could be the right platform if you are designing an app as an intranet for a company. You can build the app using the online toolkit and either the training provided or TheAppBuilder themselves will work with you to define and build the structure of the app and populate it with initial content. With the dedicated AppLibrary you can give your users a window to multiple apps and even customize them with your own branding. You can protect both public and private apps with usernames and passwords and distribute them via the App Store by using the Active Directory integration of TheAppBuilder to enable logins with existing credentials and user groups. Updating the structure and content of your apps is easy even after you go live as you can make unlimited updates and publish to multiple mobile platforms with one click. The platform supports iPhone, iPad, and Android natively, with updates going live within 60 seconds of submitting a change. The update timing does not seem to match other services. #4. Good Barber Good Barber provides a platform for building iPhone and Android apps as well as optimized web applications. For each of