Hi Everyone
We recently posted this Survey which birthed Teseem - First Words
ShoutOut to TechCabal for the launch coverage
Monetization is to be extra content which parents can buy as in-app purchases . Simple and straight to the point right? … until our unique “Nigerian Factor” kicks in
Most Banks have stopped Naira cards from working abroad, so that’s one issue…
Even for those that still allow it with a monthly limit (like GTB), Google Play uses DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) which means they set the exchange rate at their end at N300 for the dollar, and of course our Nigerian Banks decline the transaction cause they aren’t getting the dollars at that rate…
And Google Play Dev Console doesn’t allow you switch off the DCC for countries… (as far as I know)
All these crazy policies in Nigeria sef…
(Dollar denominated Cards do work but how many people have those?)
Oooo…Did I just hear somebody shout “USE PAYSTACK!!!”
Well Google says HELL NO… in their Policy
Essentially you can only use third party systems if it’s for physical products (ecommerce and the like), and services outside the app, (or things like movies/music used/viewed outside the app…iroko-esque) but if it’s for in-app purchases used within the app, you are pretty much stuck…
You cant blame them, they built the house, you are using their services/distribution and now want to go and give whatever percentage (30%) they are to get to somebody else
Googling about 3rd party billing attempts reveals apps get suspended if they do it.
Why this is worrisome is that it essentially means Google Play isn’t really making money in Nigeria at the moment anymore, since the majority of people simply CAN’T pay with their cards… (Candy Crush?..Clash of Clans?..Nobody!!!)
So I have three (3) questions,
- Has anybody used (or is using) PayStack or any other billing system for In-app purchases that were consumed in-app successfully?
- Is there anybody at Google Nigeria (or anyone with a contact there) that can push that they disable DCC for Nigeria for now so that the banks that still allow transactions can work?
- Do you have any other suggestions that might help this dilemma or are you also experiencing the same issue??
Thanks people
