Paystack is Nigeria's most widely used payment gateway - and most Nigerian business owners know it as a tool for accepting payments on websites and apps. What many do not know is that Paystack also has built-in invoicing features, and that adding a Paystack payment link to any invoice dramatically reduces the time it takes to get paid.
This guide covers everything about using Paystack for invoicing in Nigeria - from creating invoices directly on Paystack to adding payment links to your existing invoice tool.
Option 1: Create an Invoice Directly on Paystack
Paystack's dashboard includes a basic invoicing feature that generates a payment-linked invoice automatically.
How to Create a Paystack Invoice
- Log into your Paystack dashboard at dashboard.paystack.com
- Go to Products → Invoices (or Payment Requests)
- Click "Create Invoice"
- Fill in:
- Customer name and email address
- Line items (description, quantity, unit price)
- Due date
- Tax (optional - you can add a percentage tax line)
- Click "Send Invoice"
Paystack sends the invoice to your customer by email with a Pay Now button. When they click it, they land on a Paystack checkout page and can pay by:
- Debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Verve)
- Bank transfer (Paystack generates a unique virtual account number)
- USSD (dial a short code from their phone)
You receive an instant notification and the funds settle to your Paystack balance.
Limitations of Paystack's Native Invoicing
- Basic template - limited customisation (no logo, no brand colours on the free tier)
- No WhatsApp sharing - only email delivery
- No automatic Nigerian VAT calculation
- No sequential invoice numbering system
- Cannot add your TIN or full FIRS-compliant details easily
- Not ideal for sending via WhatsApp, which is how most Nigerian clients communicate
For Nigerian businesses that need FIRS-compliant invoices with VAT, TIN, sequential numbering, and WhatsApp delivery, InvoiceGenerator.ng is a better primary invoice tool - with Paystack links built in.
Option 2: Create a Paystack Payment Page (Pay Link)
For maximum flexibility, create a Paystack Payment Page - a shareable URL that opens a checkout for a specific amount.
How to Create a Paystack Payment Page
- In your Paystack dashboard, go to Products → Payment Pages
- Click "Create Payment Page"
- Enter:
- Page name (e.g., "Invoice INV-2026-044 - Adunola Consulting")
- Amount (enter the exact invoice total)
- Description (brief service description)
- Redirect URL (optional - where to send the client after payment)
- Click "Create"
- Copy the payment link and/or QR code
Paste this link into your invoice document - in the bank details section or as a standalone "Pay Now" button.
Example invoice footer:
Pay online: pay.paystack.com/invoiceinv2026044 Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Verve, bank transfer, USSD Or pay via bank transfer: GTBank | 0123456789 | Adunola Consulting Ltd
Option 3: Use InvoiceGenerator.ng with Built-In Paystack
InvoiceGenerator.ng has Paystack integrated directly. Every invoice you create automatically includes a Paystack payment link - no manual copy-pasting required.
Benefits over manual Paystack invoicing:
- Full FIRS-compliant invoice format with TIN, VAT, sequential numbering
- Nigerian Naira as default currency with 7.5% VAT toggle
- Direct WhatsApp sharing - send the invoice link straight to your client's chat
- Professional templates with your business details
- No Paystack developer account needed
This is the fastest way for Nigerian businesses to send a professional invoice with a built-in Paystack payment link.
What Paystack Charges for Invoice Payments
Understanding Paystack's transaction fees helps you decide whether to absorb them or pass them on:
| Payment Method | Paystack Fee | |---|---| | Local cards (Verve, Naira Mastercard/Visa) | 1.5% + ₦100 (capped at ₦2,000) | | International cards | 3.9% + ₦100 | | Bank transfer | 1.5% (capped at ₦1,000) | | USSD | 1.5% (capped at ₦1,000) |
Example: Client pays ₦322,500 via local card:
- Paystack fee: 1.5% × ₦322,500 + ₦100 = ₦4,938 (capped at ₦2,000 + ₦100 = ₦2,100)
- You receive: ₦320,400
For most B2B invoices, the Paystack fee is a small price for receiving payment on the day rather than chasing bank transfers for weeks.
Should You Pass Paystack Fees to Your Clients?
There are three approaches:
1. Absorb the Fee (Recommended for most B2B)
Build a small margin into your pricing to cover the ~1.5% Paystack fee. Do not mention it - the convenience of instant payment is worth it.
2. Add a Payment Processing Fee Line
Add a line to your invoice: "Online payment processing fee (1.5%): ₦X." Transparent but may reduce the likelihood of clients using the link.
3. Offer a Discount for Instant Payment
"Pay within 24 hours via card or bank transfer and receive a 2% early payment discount." This incentivises fast payment while offsetting your convenience cost.
Setting Up Paystack for Your Business
If you do not yet have a Paystack account:
- Go to paystack.com and click "Create a free account"
- Enter your business name, email, and phone number
- Verify your email
- Complete KYC - provide BVN, business registration documents (if applicable), and bank account details
- Your account is activated - start accepting payments immediately (settlement within 24–48 hours)
Paystack accounts are free to open. You only pay when you receive a transaction.
Get Paid Faster with Paystack-Linked Invoices
The single most effective change most Nigerian businesses can make to reduce payment time is adding a Paystack payment link to their invoices. InvoiceGenerator.ng does this automatically - create your invoice, share it on WhatsApp, and let clients pay in one tap.
For more on invoicing best practices and FIRS compliance, see our full Nigerian Invoicing Guide.