Why 70–80% of Nigerian Shoppers Drop Off at Checkout (And How to Fix It)

If you run an eCommerce business in Nigeria, you already know the hustle: you spend on ads, push traffic to your store, people add items to cart… and then vanish at checkout.

Research shows that 70–80% of Nigerian online shoppers abandon their carts at the final step. That’s like running a marathon, getting to the finish line, and then deciding to take a nap instead of crossing.

But here’s the good news: fixing your checkout process isn’t complicated. With the right tweaks, you can cut your bounce rate drastically and recover lost sales. In fact, when I applied these fixes for a client, checkout abandonment dropped by 30% in just one week.

Let’s break it down.

1. Simplify the Checkout Process

Too many forms = too many drop-offs. Nigerian shoppers want speed, not paperwork. Every extra field (like “Company Name” or “Fax Number”) is another reason to leave.

✅ Action step: Ask only for essentials, name, email, phone number, and payment details. Keep it short and clean.

2. Offer Trusted Local Payment Options

This is a big one. Many customers don’t trust unfamiliar gateways. If they don’t see their preferred payment method, they’ll bounce.

In Nigeria, trusted options include:

• Bank transfers

• USSD codes

• Mobile money services

• Pay-on-delivery (still relevant for trust-building)

✅ Action step: Integrate popular payment methods your audience already uses daily.

3. Optimize for Mobile Shoppers

Most Nigerians shop on their phones. If your checkout is slow, unresponsive, or hard to use on mobile, you’re losing money.

✅ Action step: Test your store on different devices. Make sure pages load fast and buttons are easy to click. A smooth mobile experience = higher conversions.

The Results Speak for Themselves

When I optimized checkout for a Nigerian eCommerce client with these 3 fixes, their cart abandonment dropped by 30% in one week. That’s the difference between losing sales and growing sales.

Final Thoughts

Driving traffic is important, but traffic without conversions is wasted money. Think of your checkout like the gate to your store, if it’s jammed, customers won’t get through, no matter how many you bring in.

By simplifying checkout, offering trusted payments, and optimizing for mobile, you’ll not only stop the leaks but also build trust and loyalty with your customers.

📌 Ready to take your eCommerce conversions seriously?

Follow Digital Gaius Academy for more proven strategies, or reach out if you need hands-on support for your store.