AliExpress expands local payment options to boost online shopping in Nigeria, others

In a move set to enhance Nigeria’s growing e-commerce landscape, AliExpress, a leading international online retail marketplace, has expanded its local payment options to further simplify cross-border shopping for Nigerian consumers and other African shoppers.

According to a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, the latest development builds on AliExpress’ successful integration of Opay and Verve card payments in Nigeria last year, significantly improving access for shoppers by allowing them to pay in local currency.

Now, the platform has extended its local-currency payment capabilities to several African countries, including South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Tanzania.

This expansion aims to remove payment barriers, providing a seamless and secure shopping experience for millions across the continent.

The timing of this expansion aligns with AliExpress’s largest promotional event of the year, running from March 17 to March 26, offering shoppers in Nigeria and across Africa access to discounts and exclusive coupon deals while enjoying the convenience of local payments.

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Beyond payments, AliExpress has strengthened its logistics infrastructure in key African markets, ensuring that shoppers in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, and Tanzania can now receive their cross-border orders in as fast as 10 days. This marks a significant improvement in delivery efficiency, addressing a major concern for online shoppers across the continent.

In Ethiopia, AliExpress has gone a step further by establishing its first African showroom, allowing wholesale buyers to physically browse curated product selections before placing bulk orders—an initiative that could serve as a model for other markets in the future.

Across Africa, e-commerce is witnessing rapid growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, improved internet access, and a rising preference for online shopping. However, challenges such as payment difficulties, high transaction costs, and unreliable delivery services have hindered many consumers from fully embracing cross-border e-commerce.

By integrating local mobile payment solutions, such as M-Pesa in Kenya, Opay in Nigeria, and other country-specific payment options, AliExpress is addressing these challenges head-on. This expansion not only benefits individual consumers but also opens new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to access affordable global products.

“AliExpress features a diverse range of products from hundreds of thousands of merchants, and we are excited to connect African consumers with our offerings through initiatives such as integrating local-currency payments,” said Bonny Zhao, Director of AliExpress Business.

“We recognize that cross-border online shopping can be overwhelming due to payment and logistics complexities. Our commitment is to simplify these processes, making global e-commerce more accessible and enjoyable for consumers in this vibrant market.”

For Nigeria, AliExpress’ latest move aligns with the country’s expanding digital economy, where e-commerce is playing an increasingly important role.

The introduction of local-currency payments and faster shipping could set a new standard for cross-border e-commerce in the country, giving more Nigerians confidence in online shopping.

With AliExpress actively adapting to the needs of African consumers, the continent’s e-commerce future looks promising, paving the way for a more inclusive, efficient, and globally connected online shopping experience.