Mobile app costs by type in Nigeria
Simple informational or marketing app
₦500,000 – ₦1,500,000
~$300 – $900
A mobile version of a website: news feed, service catalogue, contact forms, location map. No backend complexity, no user accounts. Cross-platform (React Native or Flutter).
Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks
Business app with user accounts
₦1,500,000 – ₦4,000,000
~$900 – $2,400
Login, user profiles, data that syncs with a backend, push notifications. Booking apps, loyalty apps, delivery tracking for customers. Cross-platform.
Typical timeline: 10–16 weeks
E-commerce mobile app
₦3,000,000 – ₦8,000,000
~$1,800 – $4,800
Product catalogue, cart, Nigerian payment gateway integration (Paystack/Flutterwave), order tracking, admin dashboard. Cross-platform.
Typical timeline: 14–20 weeks
Fintech / wallet app
₦8,000,000 – ₦25,000,000+
~$4,800 – $15,000+
KYC, BVN/NIN verification, wallet functionality, P2P transfers, NIBSS integration, bank APIs, transaction history, and CBN compliance requirements. Significantly higher due to security, compliance, and integration complexity.
Typical timeline: 20–40 weeks
Enterprise internal tool
₦5,000,000 – ₦20,000,000+
~$3,000 – $12,000+
Field service apps, warehouse scanning, logistics tracking, or internal reporting tools. Complexity depends on integration with existing enterprise systems.
Typical timeline: 16–36 weeks
Ranges reflect structured development firm pricing in Nigeria (2026). Freelancer quotes will be lower; international agencies will be higher. Timeline is calendar weeks from spec to App Store submission.
What drives the cost up
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Native vs cross-platform
Building a separate native iOS app (Swift) and Android app (Kotlin) roughly doubles the development cost vs. a single React Native or Flutter codebase. Most business apps do not need native. They need cross-platform done properly.
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Backend complexity
A simple app with static data costs a fraction of one that needs a custom API backend with databases, authentication, admin panels, and third-party integrations.
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Nigerian payment and identity integration
Paystack/Flutterwave integration adds 2–4 weeks of work. BVN/NIN verification adds further. NIBSS integration for fintech apps is the most complex and time-consuming integration in the Nigerian ecosystem.
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Offline functionality
Building an app that works without internet, required for field operations or areas with poor connectivity, requires significantly more architecture work than a purely online app.
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App Store and Play Store submission
Google Play review is typically 2–3 days. Apple App Store review is 2–7 days but more rigorous. Budget time (and sometimes additional rounds of review) for submission.
Ongoing costs after launch
A mobile app is not a one-time cost. Budget for ongoing:
OS compatibility updates
₦100,000–₦300,000/yr
iOS and Android release major updates annually. Apps need to be tested and updated to remain compatible.
Server/hosting
₦50,000–₦300,000/month
Backend hosting on AWS, GCP, or local Nigerian hosting. Cost depends on traffic and storage.
Bug fixes and small changes
₦80,000–₦200,000/month retainer
Ongoing development support for user-reported issues and minor feature requests.
App store developer fees
$99/yr (Apple) + $25 one-time (Google)
Required to publish and maintain apps on both stores.
GET A REAL QUOTE
Zozzah builds mobile apps for Nigerian conditions
iOS, Android, React Native or Flutter, built and tested for Nigerian devices, networks, and payment gateways. Tell us what you want to build and we will give you a fixed-price quote within two business days.