That ₦300k/Month POS Dream: How Much Can I Make from POS Business in a Month?

Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you about that ₦300k/month dream many people think POS agents earn: it’s not exactly a lie, but it’s a gross exaggeration.

It’s a number that only works if you believe the agent keeps every single ₦100 note they charge. They don’t. Not even close.

I think the main reason so many new agents get frustrated is that they fall for this fantasy. They jump in asking “how much can I make from POS business in a month?” expecting to earn ₦300k or ₦400k, only to find their real take-home pay is a fraction of that.

Why? Because they’re confusing revenue with profit.

So, let’s talk about the real answer. Let’s talk about the actual take-home pay, the money that’s left after all the hidden costs that nobody seems to mention.

TL;DR: How much can I make from a POS business in a month?

You can expect to make an actual take-home (net) profit of between ₦20,000 and ₦350,000 per month. 

Your final profit is not the gross revenue; it’s what’s left after subtracting POS provider fees, data, power, and rent. 

Success depends entirely on your location, provider charges, and operational costs.

Okay, So How Does the Money Actually Work? (The Simple Math)

Before we can calculate a monthly income, you have to get this straight. You, as the agent, are a middleman using a platform (OPay, Moniepoint, etc.) that takes a cut.

So, two charges are happening in every transaction:

1. The fee you charge the customer.
2. The fee the POS provider charges you.

Your profit is the difference.

Your Profit = (Fee You Charge Customer) – (POS Provider’s Fee)

• Example: A customer wants to withdraw ₦10,000.
• You charge them ₦200.
• Your provider charges you a 0.5% fee on that ₦10,000, which is ₦50.
• Your actual profit is ₦150 (₦200 – ₦50). A provider like Supply Smart, for instance, caps its fee at a flat ₦100 on any withdrawal over ₦20k. On that ₦30k transaction, your profit is higher simply because you chose the right terminal.

That ₦50 difference, multiplied by 50 transactions a day, is ₦75,000 in monthly costs you might not have considered.

If the name Supply Smart sounds new to you, no worries, I’ve written a pretty extensive guide on it and all you need to know. 

The “Gross Profit” — The Revenue Before Costs

So, what do those ₦150 profits add up to? The numbers can be very good.

Let’s say you’re in a busy spot and average 50 transactions a day, making ₦150 profit on each. 50 transactions x ₦150 profit = ₦7,500 a day

On a great day, maybe you hit 70 transactions at ₦200 profit. That’s ₦14,000.

This is where the big monthly numbers come from.

• Low end: ₦7,500/day x 30 days = ₦225,000 per month.
• High end: ₦14,000/day x 30 days = ₦420,000 per month.

Some reports even put the high end at ₦600,000. This is your Gross Monthly Profit. It’s the total of all your small profits added up. But it’s not your take-home pay.

Knowing how to calculate your profits is very important in this business. So, I highly recommend that you read this dedicated article that I wrote about it.

The Hidden Costs (Expenses You Must Budget for)

That ₦420,000 isn’t yours yet. You have to pay the costs of running the business.

1. Float (Your Working Capital): The big one. You can’t give out ₦200,000 in cash if you don’t have ₦200,000 in cash. This is the biggest barrier to entry.

1. Data Subscription: The terminal is always online. Expect to spend ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 a month. (This, by the way, is one of those “hidden costs” to watch. It’s why some newer terminals, like the Supply Smart POS, are gaining popularity, as they come with a free unlimited data SIM, which just eliminates this cost entirely.)

1. Power (The “NEPA Factor”): When power goes, you need a generator or power banks. This can easily cost ₦10,000 – ₦25,000 a month in fuel.

1. Location (Your “Rent”): That umbrella spot or kiosk isn’t free. This could be ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 a month.

1. Security & Risk: A fake alert, a disputed transaction, or theft can wipe out a whole day’s profit.

Real Take-Home Pay (Net Profit)

This is the number that matters. Your Take-Home Pay = (Gross Profit) – (All those Running Costs)

Let’s do the math for two different agents:

• The “Good” Agent: ₦420,000 (Gross Profit) – ₦70,000 (Data+Power+Rent+Misc) = ₦350,000 (Net Profit). This is a fantastic living, and it’s achievable.

• The “Average” Agent: ₦225,000 (Gross Profit) – ₦35,000 (Lower Costs) = ₦190,000 (Net Profit). Still very solid.

So why do some agents only make ₦20,000 a month? Competition.

If five agents are on one street, you can’t charge ₦200. You’re forced to charge ₦100. Your costs (data, power) stay the same, but your profit margin is crushed. Your gross profit plummets, and after costs, you’re left with almost nothing.

The real answer is a huge range: ₦20,000 to ₦350,000 a month. The difference is strategy.

I’ll save you the stress of comparing POS brands and wondering which to go for. Just check my article on the best POS machines in Nigeria. 

3 Keys to Increasing POS Profitability

How do you stay on the high end? It’s three things.

• Location is Everything (And I Mean Everything): This is 90% of the battle. Find a spot with high foot-traffic and low access to banks or ATMs (markets, bus parks, campuses). You are selling convenience.

• Your POS Provider is Your Biggest Cost: A 0.1% difference in provider fees can cost you ₦5,000 a month. Don’t just look at the free umbrella; check the fine print on their transaction charges.

• Manage Your Float Like a Hawk: Your cash is your “product.” Running out of cash at 4 PM on a Friday means you’ve lost that customer, probably for good.

• Create Multiple Income Streams: Don’t just be a withdrawal/deposit agent. Your customers are already there. Sell airtime. Pay their DStv and electricity bills. This is “free money.” Again, your provider choice matters here. Some charge you a fee for this. The smart ones, like Supply Smart, charge zero fees on bill payments and actually pay you a commission for every single one you process. That’s a second profit stream from the same customer.

You can learn more in our guide to earning more with your POS business.

The Final Verdict: Is the POS Business Worth It?

So, after all that, is it worth it?

Honestly, maybe. If you think it’s an easy, passive ₦450k/month, you’ll be disappointed. This is a hands-on retail business. It’s a grind. You’re a logistician, a marketer, and a finance manager, all in one.

But for the right person who finds that A+ location and treats it like a serious business? It’s a solid, honest, and needed living.