QR payments
How to Accept Payments at Pop-Ups and Market Stalls in Nigeria
To accept payments at a pop-up or market stall, prepare your payment options before the event, make instructions easy to follow, and check each incoming payment against the right order.
A printed QR code can help customers start paying. You still need a charged phone, a working connection and a clear way to confirm which purchases have been paid for.
Prepare your payment account before the event
Complete any required account setup early. Check that you can open the account, display your payment details and review incoming transactions.
If you use GoTap for business, check that you are receiving through the intended business profile.
Prepare a readable payment sign and keep a backup copy of the QR code on your phone. Test the printed sign before packing it.
Include the payment service in the instructions. For example:
Pay with GoTap
Scan in your GoTap app.
Check the business name and your order total before confirming.
Both people need GoTap for a GoTap QR payment. Have another payment option available for customers who cannot use it.
Plan for power and connectivity
Charge the receiving phone and bring a charged power bank and cable. Check network reception at the venue where possible.
A printed code remains visible when your phone battery is low, but GoTap payments still require an internet connection. Printing the code does not make the payment work offline.
If you also accept bank transfers or cash, prepare those instructions and any change you will need. A different payment method may help, but it does not guarantee a solution to every network outage.
Give each order a simple record
At a busy stall, several people may buy items at the same price. An amount alone may not identify the order.
Use a notebook or another record you can manage during the event. Record the order number, items, total, payment method and whether payment has been confirmed.
For example:
Order M024
Two items: ₦8,500
Payment: awaiting confirmation
If someone else pays for the customer, note enough information to match the incoming transaction without collecting unnecessary personal details.
For more detail, read How to Match Customer Payments to Orders.
Confirm payment before marking the order paid
Check the incoming transaction in your own receiving account. Match the amount and relevant transaction details to the order.
A customer’s screenshot can help with an investigation, but your receiving record should establish whether you have received the payment.
When several people are serving, agree who verifies payments and who hands over purchases. Mark an order paid once, and avoid using the same incoming transaction to clear two different orders.
Use provider-supported access arrangements where available rather than sharing passwords or PINs.
Handle unclear payments without creating duplicates
If the customer has authorised payment but you cannot confirm receipt, check the original transaction before asking them to pay again.
Keep the order and transaction reference together. Explain what you can verify and agree on the next step without treating an unresolved payment as confirmed.
Close the day with a payment check
Compare your order list with confirmed electronic payments and cash collected. Record refunds, deposits and outstanding balances separately.
Money collected is not automatically the same as completed sales. A deposit for a future order still needs its own record.
See How to Keep Daily Sales Records for a Small Business in Nigeria.
A busy market day is easier to manage when every purchase has a total, a payment status and a clear handover.