How much does it cost to build an app in Nigeria? (2026 guide)

By the Engagoor team · Updated 11 November 2026 · Facts checked 11 November 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer: a basic app with a few screens usually costs ₦1.5 million to ₦4 million in Nigeria, though very limited apps can start lower. A business app with logins, payments and an admin usually costs ₦4 million to ₦12 million, and complex platforms like fintech or marketplaces often pass ₦24 million.

The range is wide because "an app" can mean anything from a simple catalogue to a full banking platform. What drives the cost is not the number of screens but the backend, user roles, security, integrations and testing. The figures are indicative ranges from Nigerian price guides and agency pages, listed under Sources.

Typical app development costs in Nigeria (2026)

Type of app	Typical cost	Examples
Basic app	₦1.5m to ₦4m	A catalogue or information app with a few screens and simple content updates
Booking or business app	₦4m to ₦12m	Logins, payments, notifications, an admin, iPhone and Android
Marketplace or fintech platform	₦24m and above	Buyers and sellers, wallets, identity checks, real-time features
Foreign teams (for comparison)	From about $15,000	Lean teams in Eastern Europe often quote from here; US agencies charge far more

Indicative ranges from Nigerian app development guides and agency pages published in 2025 and 2026 (see Sources), some converted at about ₦1,500 to $1. Very limited apps, such as a single-platform catalogue, can cost less.

What drives the cost

Number of screens and features
iPhone, Android, web, or all three
Logins, payments, wallets or subscriptions
An admin dashboard for your team
Connections to banks, maps, delivery or other services
Security and compliance, especially for fintech
Design quality and how much testing is done

Costs after launch

Apple developer account: $99 a year
Google Play developer account: $25 one time
Servers and databases: small apps can start low, but costs grow with users, and many services bill in dollars
Maintenance and updates: as a planning allowance, some businesses budget 15 to 20% of the build cost each year. Ask for a separate monthly running-cost estimate
Third-party services such as SMS, email, maps and identity checks

Plan for these from the start. An app that is not updated stops working well as phones and app store rules change.

App store commissions on digital sales

If your app sells digital things inside the app, such as subscriptions, premium features or credits, Apple and Google take a commission on those sales. Apple’s standard rate is 30%, or 15% for developers in its Small Business Program. Google Play charges 15% on a developer’s first $1 million a year, with rules that vary by market (see Google Play service fees). Physical goods and services, such as food delivery or a store order, usually use normal payment gateways instead.

Check the current terms for your market before you set prices.

How to keep the first version affordable

Most successful apps start small. Build the smallest version that solves one problem well, put it in front of real users, then add features based on what they actually do.

Start with the one feature users will pay for or use daily
Use one codebase for iPhone and Android
Consider a web app first if you need to test the idea quickly
Leave nice-to-have features for version two

Web app or mobile app first?

A web app works in the browser, needs no app store approval, and is often cheaper to start. A mobile app feels faster, can send notifications and lives on the home screen. Many products start on the web and add mobile apps once people are using them.

How long it takes

A clearly defined first version of a business app usually takes 6 to 12 weeks. Complex requirements, integrations and app store review can add time, so complex platforms are best released in stages.

How we price apps at Engagoor

Every app is different, so we scope it with you on a free call and give a fixed quote in writing. We build our own apps too: SharpPunter runs on the web, iPhone and Android, and Flippr is in beta on iPhone and Android. We set up the app store accounts in your business name, and ownership of the code is written into our agreement.

See our app development and product development pages, or start a project.

Quick answers

How much does it cost to build an app in Nigeria?

Basic apps usually cost ₦1.5 million to ₦4 million, business apps ₦4 million to ₦12 million, and complex platforms more than ₦24 million. Very limited apps can cost less.

How long does it take to build an app?

A first version of a business app usually takes 6 to 12 weeks.

Is it cheaper to build an app in Nigeria than abroad?

Usually yes. Lean teams abroad often quote from about $15,000 for a first version, and US agencies charge much more.

Do I need both iPhone and Android?

Usually yes for a consumer app in Nigeria. One codebase can serve both, which keeps the cost down.

What does an app cost after launch?

App store fees, servers, third-party services and maintenance. Some businesses budget 15 to 20% of the build cost each year, but actual costs depend on usage and updates.

Sources

Prices are indicative ranges compiled from publicly advertised Nigerian provider pages and price guides, checked in November 2026. They are not verified national averages, and actual quotes depend on scope.

Spotted something out of date? Tell us at hello@engagoor.xyz and we will check and update it.