What the gateway does for you
The gateway is how your customers pay you. It collects card payments, bank transfers or virtual account deposits into a merchant account in your business name, then settles that money to your bank.
Nova records a wallet credit when the gateway confirms a payment. The money itself stays with the gateway until it settles to you.
Approval comes first
Most gateways ask for business registration documents, a bank account in the business name and a description of what you sell. Start this early. Approval can take longer than setting up the software.
Describe your service accurately. A VTU business resells airtime, data and bill payments, and the gateway needs to know that.
Compare the funding methods your customers use
Ask which methods are supported: dedicated virtual accounts, card checkout, bank transfer or USSD. For many VTU customers, a virtual account they can transfer to at any time is the most convenient way to top up a wallet.
Read the fee schedule line by line
Gateway fees are usually a percentage, a flat amount or a capped percentage per transaction. Work out what a typical ₦1,000 wallet top-up costs you, then check that your retail margin still covers it.
Ask about settlement timing, chargebacks and refunds. These affect how much cash you have available to fund your provider account.
Test before you launch
Use the gateway’s test mode to fund a wallet end to end before you go live. Confirm that a payment shows in the gateway dashboard, in the Nova ledger and, after settlement, in your bank account.
These articles provide general guidance. Confirm the costs, compatibility and requirements for your own setup before you commit.
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