StayVia
Premium Living, Simplified
A full-stack marketplace connecting apartment hosts with guests, built specifically for Africa starting with Nigeria. Naira-native wallets, escrow protection, government ID verification, and video-verified properties — everything Airbnb should be in Africa, but isn't.
The Problem
Africa's short-term rental market has no trusted platform
Nigeria's short-let apartment sector generated over N264 billion in 2024. Yet there's no dominant local platform. Airbnb charges in USD, requires credit cards most Nigerians don't have, and doesn't verify government IDs. Local alternatives have poor UX and no trust infrastructure. The result: most bookings happen through WhatsApp and Instagram with zero protection for either party.
$170M+
Market size (2024)
80%
Nigerians who rent
<5%
With credit cards
0
Trusted platforms
Key Features
Built different. Built for Africa.
Naira-Native Wallet
No FX friction, no dollar pricing. Fund your wallet via Paystack bank transfer and pay in Naira. Instant refunds to wallet, not 5-10 day card refunds.
Escrow Protection
Funds are held in escrow until 24 hours after guest check-in. Protects guests from scams and hosts from non-payment. Both sides covered.
Government ID Verification
Every user verified via NIN or BVN through government databases. Real identity, real accountability. Builds trust in a market where it's scarce.
Host Video Verification
Every property is verified through a live WebRTC video call with the StayVia admin team. No misleading photos. What you see is what you get.
Referral System
Tier-based commissions (1-3%) with booking-based attribution. Guests and hosts earn when they bring others to the platform.
Double-Entry Ledger
Full accounting system with 11 internal account types. Every Naira is tracked. Complete financial transparency for the platform.
Full Admin Portal
21 pages, 8 RBAC roles, granular permissions, audit logging. Complete operational control from day one.
Automated Operations
Escrow release, auto-checkin, lifecycle notifications, superhost evaluation — the platform runs itself.
How It Works
Simple by design
Sign up and verify your identity
Create an account with email or phone. Verify your identity with NIN or BVN. Fund your wallet via Paystack bank transfer.
Search and book
Browse apartments by city, amenities, price, and property type. Book instantly or send a request. Pay from your wallet.
Funds held in escrow
Your payment is held securely until 24 hours after check-in. If something is wrong, you're protected.
Check in and enjoy
Receive check-in instructions from your host. Confirm arrival in the app. After 24 hours, funds release to the host.
Review and earn
Leave a review (double-blind — revealed simultaneously). Refer friends to earn tier-based commissions on their bookings.
Comparison
See the difference
| Feature | Airbnb (in Nigeria) | StayVia |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD (FX friction) | Naira (native) |
| Payment | Credit card only | Bank transfer + wallet |
| ID Verification | Selfie only | NIN/BVN (government DB) |
| Property Check | None | Video call verification |
| Escrow | Yes | Yes (24hr post check-in) |
| Refund Speed | 5-10 days to card | Instant to wallet |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes (62 screens) |
| Commission | 14-20% | 15% (10% host + 5% guest) |