Escrow payments in Nigeria
Online Escrow Service in Nigeria: Pay or Get Paid Without the Risk
Most online trade in Nigeria still runs on a simple, risky deal: one person sends money first and hopes the other keeps their word. XcrowPay replaces that hope with escrow.
The buyer pays into escrow, the seller delivers, and the money is only released once the buyer confirms they received what they paid for. If something goes wrong, the funds stay locked until a dispute is resolved.
Why paying by direct bank transfer is risky
A direct transfer can't be undone just because the goods never arrived. Once the money lands in a stranger's account, getting it back depends entirely on their goodwill, and the buyer carries all the risk.
Sellers face the mirror image: fake payment alerts, buyers who receive the goods and then claim they never did, and customers who hesitate to pay at all because they don't know you yet.
Escrow fixes both sides at once. A neutral party holds the money, so the buyer isn't paying a stranger blindly and the seller knows the money is real before delivering.
How escrow works on XcrowPay
- 1
The seller creates a transaction
The seller enters the item, the price and the buyer's email -- or WhatsApp number, for an Easy Transaction link. XcrowPay generates a secure payment link.
- 2
The buyer pays into escrow
The buyer opens the link, reviews the price and fees, and pays by bank transfer in Naira. The money is held in escrow; the seller is notified but cannot touch it yet.
- 3
The seller delivers
With confirmed payment in escrow, the seller ships the item or delivers the service.
- 4
The buyer confirms and the seller is paid
Once the buyer confirms receipt, the funds are released to the seller's registered bank account. If the buyer goes quiet, both parties are notified and our team releases the funds within 2-3 days, unless a dispute is raised.
Why your money is safe with XcrowPay
Funds held by a CBN-licensed partner
Escrowed money is held through our payment partner Korapay, which is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria -- not in the seller's account, and not in the buyer's.
A real dispute process
Either side can open a dispute before funds are released. The money stays locked while our team reviews evidence from both parties -- screenshots, delivery proof, chat records.
Verified identities
Payouts are checked against the seller's verified (BVN/KYC) name, and transaction limits scale with each user's verification tier.
A registered Nigerian company
XcrowPay is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, RC 1913302.
What Nigerians use XcrowPay for
- Buying from Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram vendors you haven't bought from before
- Selling online without the risk of fake payment alerts
- Freelance and remote work, paid stage by stage
- Crypto P2P trades, so neither side has to release first on trust
- Gadgets, cars and other high-value items bought from individuals
- Platforms and marketplaces that want escrow at checkout, through our API
What it costs
One escrow fee per transaction, paid by the buyer at checkout: 7% up to ₦100,000, falling step by step to 0.19% on large amounts, plus a flat ₦100 service fee. No subscription and no setup cost. See the full fee table.
Frequently asked questions
What is an escrow service?
An escrow service is a neutral party that holds a payment until both sides have done what they agreed. On XcrowPay the buyer's money is held until they confirm delivery, then released to the seller.
Is XcrowPay available in Nigeria?
Yes. XcrowPay is a registered Nigerian company (RC 1913302). Payments are made by bank transfer in Nigerian Naira and processed through Korapay, a payment partner licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Who holds the money during a transaction?
The funds are held via our licensed payment partner, Korapay, for the duration of the transaction -- never directly by the buyer or the seller.
How much does escrow cost?
A tiered escrow fee from 7% (up to ₦100,000) down to 0.19% on large amounts, plus a flat ₦100 service fee. The buyer pays it at checkout on top of the item price.
What if the seller never delivers?
Open a dispute instead of confirming. The funds stay locked while our team reviews evidence from both sides. If the dispute is resolved in your favour, the transaction amount is refunded; the service fee is non-refundable.
Does the buyer need an XcrowPay account?
Not for an Easy Transaction. The seller can send a guest payment link by WhatsApp, and the buyer pays without signing up.
Your next online deal doesn't have to be a gamble
Create a protected transaction in a few minutes and send the payment link to your buyer.
Start a Protected Transaction