How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App in Nigeria in 2025?

The Question Every Startup Founder Asks

"How much will it cost to build my app?" is the first question every entrepreneur asks — and the honest answer is: it depends. But that does not mean we cannot give you a useful framework. After building dozens of mobile apps for clients across Nigeria, here is Topnet's transparent cost breakdown for 2025.

What Affects the Cost of a Mobile App?

Several factors determine the final price of your app:

• Platform: Android only, iOS only, or both (cross-platform)
• Complexity: Number of screens, features, and integrations
• Design requirements: Basic UI vs. custom branded experience
• Backend: Does your app need a server, database, and API?
• Third-party integrations: Payment gateways (Paystack/Flutterwave), maps, push notifications, etc.

Typical Price Ranges (Lagos Market, 2025)

Basic App (5–10 screens, no backend):
₦300,000 – ₦600,000
Examples: simple informational app, digital menu, static catalogue.

Standard App (10–20 screens, custom backend API):
₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000
Examples: food ordering app, booking system, e-commerce app with cart and Paystack.

Complex App (20+ screens, real-time features, multi-role):
₦1,500,000 – ₦5,000,000+
Examples: logistics platform, fintech app, multi-vendor marketplace, ride-hailing clone.

Android vs. iOS vs. Cross-Platform

Building natively for both Android (Kotlin) and iOS (Swift) essentially doubles your development cost since you are writing two separate codebases. This is why most Nigerian startups today choose React Native — a cross-platform framework that lets one codebase run on both Android and iOS with near-native performance. At Topnet, React Native is our primary tool for mobile development, and it can cut your budget by 30–40% compared to building native apps separately.

Don't Forget Ongoing Costs

The build cost is only part of the picture. Factor in:

• Google Play Store: $25 one-time registration
• Apple App Store: $99/year
• Server / API hosting: from ₦20,000/month
• Maintenance & updates: typically 15–20% of build cost per year

Get a Free Quote from Topnet

Every app is unique. The best way to get an accurate cost is to share your idea with us. We offer free project scoping consultations and will give you a detailed quote with timeline. Reach out today.