Paystack API
Nigeria's most popular payment gateway, cards, bank, USSD, mobile
Paid Only
✓ Verified
🌐 Rest of the world
Paystack is Nigeria’s most adopted payment gateway, acquired by Stripe in 2020, and now expanding across Africa. The API supports card payments, bank transfers, USSD, QR codes, and mobile money. Known for its clean developer documentation, reliable uptime, and excellent settlement speeds (T+1). Its deep integration with Nigerian banking infrastructure makes it the first choice for Nigerian businesses. Expanding into Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. The Stripe acquisition brings enterprise-grade infrastructure and compliance.
API Details
Auth Method
API Key
Pricing Model
Paid Only
Free Tier
No (1.5% + ₦100 per transaction)
Rate Limit
Standard API limits apply
Format
REST / JSON
Versioning
v1
SLA / Uptime
99.5%
Compliance
PCI DSS, CBN Licensed
Geographic Restrictions
Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya (acquired by Stripe 2020)
Last Verified
2026-02-20
Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
Paystack is a Nigerian payment gateway founded in 2015 and acquired by Stripe in 2020 for ~$200 million. It is the most widely used payment API in Nigeria and is expanding across Africa. The Stripe acquisition brought enterprise-grade infrastructure, global compliance expertise, and access to Stripe's developer ecosystem.
Paystack charges 1.5% + u20a6100 per local Nigerian card transaction (capped at u20a62,000 per transaction). International cards are charged 3.9% + u20a6100. There are no monthly fees or setup costs. For high-volume merchants, custom rates are negotiated directly. The fee cap makes Paystack especially competitive for large transactions.
Paystack supports Visa/Mastercard, Verve (local Nigerian card network), bank transfers, USSD (*737# style payments), QR codes, and direct bank account debit via BVN-linked accounts. The bank account debit feature is particularly popular as it does not require a card, which is a significant advantage in a market with high mobile banking adoption.
Paystack is currently available in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, with expansion planned across Africa. It does not process payments in North America, Europe, or Asia. If you need a pan-African solution with broader geographic coverage, combine Paystack (for Nigeria) with Flutterwave (for broader Africa).