AfreecartHow do I buy Nigerian products from abroad?
A step-by-step guide to buying authentic Nigerian food, fabrics, fashion and crafts from the UK, US, Canada or anywhere in the diaspora, with your payment protected by escrow.
The simplest way to buy authentic Nigerian products from abroad is through a marketplace that connects you directly with sellers back home and protects your money until the order arrives. On Afreecart, you order from verified Nigerian and African sellers, pay through Flutterwave, and your payment is held in escrow until you confirm you've received your order.
What can I buy?
Afreecart focuses on products that are hard to find outside Africa, sold by the people who make or source them:
- Food and groceries: pap (ogi), beans flour for akara, suya spice, palm oil and other ingredients.
- Fabrics: adire, aso oke, ankara, brocade and lace.
- Fashion: ankara dresses, agbada and traditional outfits for weddings and events.
- Accessories and crafts: beaded jewellery, handbags, shoes and handcrafted goods.
If you can't find something, you can post a Buy For Me request and a trusted shopper at home will source it and ship it to you (more on that below).
How do I order, step by step?
- Download the app: Afreecart is on the App Store and Google Play. Signing up is free.
- Choose the buyer role: you can switch to selling later on the same account.
- Browse or search the marketplace, or open a seller's store to see everything they offer.
- Message the seller if you have questions about sizes, quantities or delivery before you buy.
- Check out: the checkout shows your total, including tax and other fees, before you pay.
- Track the order from Profile → Order History. You get a notification at every step.
- Confirm receipt once it arrives. Only then is the seller paid.
How do I pay, and is my money safe?
Payments go through Flutterwave by card, bank transfer or USSD. Your money doesn't go straight to the seller: Afreecart holds it in escrow until the order is completed.
An order completes when you tap Confirm Receipt, or automatically 7 days after the seller marks it delivered if you haven't reported a problem. If something is wrong, you tap Report a Problem before then and the seller isn't paid while Afreecart reviews it. Read how escrow works on Afreecart for the full details.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery typically takes 5–14 business days internationally and 2–5 days within the same country, depending on where the item is coming from and going to. Once the seller ships, any tracking details they add appear on your order.
| Order status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pending | You've paid; waiting for the seller |
| Confirmed | The seller has accepted the order |
| Shipped | It's on its way |
| Delivered | The seller says it has arrived |
| Completed | You confirmed receipt (or 7 days passed) and the seller was paid |
What if I can't find what I need?
Use a Buy For Me request. Describe the item, set your budget and post it. Sellers and shoppers in your home country send you proposals; you compare them, chat, and accept the best one. Payment is held in escrow exactly like a normal order, and the item is shipped to you.
For services, such as a tailor, photographer or real-estate agent back home, post a Hire Request instead and receive proposals from professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel an order?
Yes, while it is Pending or Confirmed: open the order and tap Cancel Order. Once it has shipped it can't be cancelled, but you can report a problem instead. Refunds go back to your original payment method.
Can I return an item?
Afreecart doesn't handle returns at the moment. If an item is damaged, wrong or not as described, report a problem on the order within 7 days of delivery. If the order is cancelled after review, you're refunded to your original payment method.
Do I need to be in a particular country?
No. Afreecart is built for Africans in the diaspora across Europe, North America and beyond. Check the delivery details on the product or with the seller before you order.