If your goal is to make money online in Nigeria without the stress of creating your own product, then affiliate marketing is a perfect strategy. You promote other people’s products and earn a commission each time someone buys through your referral link. Selar vs Stakecut are two of the best platforms for starting affiliate marketing in Nigeria.
For a beginner who wants to start without paying an upfront affiliate access fee, Stakecut is the winner. Stakecut allows affiliates to register and access its marketplace for free, while Selar charges ₦3,000 per year for access to its Affiliate Network. Selar can still be attractive if you prefer its digital-product ecosystem or have access to products through individual merchants.
Selar vs Stakecut: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Selar | Stakecut |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliate registration | Free basic account | Free |
| Affiliate Network access | ₦3,000 yearly | Free |
| Digital products | Yes | Yes |
| Physical products | Affiliate Network currently focuses on digital products | Platform supports digital products and other product categories |
| Minimum affiliate commission | 30% for most products, 20% for products ₦50,000+ | Commission varies by product |
| High commission products | Available | Available |
| Payout frequency | Check current terms for the specific programme | Generally weekly, subject to approval and applicable checks |
| Nigerian users | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Best advantage | Established digital-product ecosystem | Free access to marketplace |
| Our winner | Good option | Stakecut |
Platform policies, commissions and payout arrangements can change. Always check the current terms before joining or promoting a product.
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What Is Selar?
Selar launched in 2016 as a Lagos-based platform for creators to sell digital products — courses, ebooks, templates, coaching — directly to buyers across Africa. On top of that, it runs an affiliate layer: creators open their products to affiliates, who earn a cut of every sale they refer through a personal tracking link.
For affiliate marketers, Selar operates an Affiliate Network where affiliates can discover products and promote them using affiliate links.
There are two different ways an affiliate relationship can exist on Selar.
A merchant can add an affiliate directly to a product and set a commission. Selar states that this process is free for both the merchant and affiliate.
Alternatively, an affiliate can pay ₦3,000 per year to access the wider Selar Affiliate Network, which provides access to a larger catalogue of products.
Selar is attractive if you want access to a dedicated digital-product marketplace and are comfortable paying the annual Affiliate Network access fee.
What Is Stakecut?
Stakecut is a younger Nigerian affiliate marketplace, founded in 2022 by internet marketers Czar Nonso Nnamani and Mba Joshua, and built specifically around affiliate marketing rather than general digital commerce. It’s free to join, and its catalog leans heavily toward digital products about making money online and affiliate marketing itself.
1. Cost to Join
Selar’s affiliate marketplace costs ₦3,000 a year for full access, though individual creators can also add you as an affiliate on a specific product without that fee.
Stakecut has always been free to join, no registration cost at all. If your starting budget is genuinely zero, Stakecut wins. But ₦3,000/year is about ₦250/month whichc is not even up to the cost of data, so don’t base your decision on this alone.
Verdict: Stakecut, slightly.
2. Commissions Rate?
On Selar, each creator sets their own rate, typically 20%–50%, occasionally higher. On Stakecut, commissions on most listed products run up to 50% or more. In practice, the specific product matters more than the platform.
Commission percentage is important, but it should not be the only factor you consider.
A 70% commission on a product that nobody wants can be less valuable than a 40% commission on a product that converts consistently.
Selar’s current Affiliate Network requirements state that products generally need to offer at least 30% commission, while products priced at ₦50,000 and above can have a minimum commission of 20%.
Stakecut’s commission rates vary by product. Its current website advertises commissions of up to 50%, while Stakecut’s own affiliate-marketing materials have previously stated that some vendors may offer rates above that level. The important point is that you should check the actual commission attached to each product before promoting it.
Verdict: Tie — compare individual products, not platforms.
3. Products Range & Niche Fit
Selar’s Affiliate Network is currently focused on digital products. Its product-listing requirements cover products such as courses, ebooks and other digital offerings.
Stakecut also has a strong digital-product focus, although its platform presents a broader marketplace approach and currently promotes products across different categories.
For someone interested in affiliate marketing, business education, online income, eCommerce and digital skills, both platforms can be relevant.
Selar’s catalog spans over 70,000 digital products across finance, tech, business, fashion, relationships, and more. Stakecut’s marketplace is narrower — a large share of what’s sold there is training on affiliate marketing itself. If your audience cares about something more specific than “how to make money online,” Selar gives you more to work with.
Verdict: Selar wins it for products range while, Stakecut takes it for being a Niche platform,
4. Beginner Support & Training
This is where the Selar vs Stakecut comparison becomes particularly relevant.
A beginner does not necessarily need the platform with the largest catalogue.
You need a platform that allows you to:
- Create an account
- Find a suitable product
- Generate an affiliate link
- Promote the product
- Track sales
- Receive your commission
Stakecut bundles in its own training resource aimed at teaching complete beginners how to promote products. Selar leans more on general creator resources than dedicated affiliate training.
Stakecut’s official materials describe this process as free and provide training resources through Stakecut University.
Selar is also designed to make affiliate promotion accessible, but the broader Affiliate Network requires the annual ₦3,000 fee.
Verdict: Stakecut wins it
5. Payout Speed & Currency
Stakecut pays out weekly, every Monday, and supports multi-currency payments including dollar withdrawals — useful if you’re targeting an audience outside Nigeria. Selar’s naira payouts settle quickly too, but on a method-dependent schedule rather than a fixed weekly one.
Verdic: Stakecut wins it
Selar vs Stakecut: Pros and Cons
Selar Pros:
- Established Nigerian digital commerce platform
- Dedicated Affiliate Network
- Large catalogue of digital products
- Merchants can directly add affiliates
- Useful for creators and digital-product sellers
- Products can have different commission arrangements
Selar Cons:
- ₦3,000 annual fee for access to the broader Affiliate Network
- Affiliate commissions vary between products
- Current Affiliate Network is focused on digital products
- Beginners need to recover the access fee through commissions
Verdict: Good platform, particularly for affiliates who want Selar’s wider digital-product ecosystem.
Stakecut Pros:
- Free affiliate registration
- Free marketplace access
- Digital products available for promotion
- Weekly payout structure
- Training resources through Stakecut University
- Suitable for beginners
- No annual Affiliate Network access fee
Stakecut Cons:
- Commission rates vary by product
- Product quality can differ between vendors
- You still need to generate your own traffic and sales
- A high commission does not automatically mean a product will convert
Verdict: Perfect for beginners.
Selar vs Stakecut: Which Should You Choose?
Here is my recommendation based on different situations.
| If you are… | Recommended platform |
|---|---|
| Completely new to affiliate marketing | Stakecut |
| Starting with ₦0 | Stakecut |
| Looking for digital products | Both |
| Looking for a free marketplace | Stakecut |
| Willing to pay ₦3,000 for wider product access | Selar |
| Building an SEO blog | Both |
| Looking for 50%+ commissions | Compare individual products |
| Promoting business courses | Both |
| Promoting eCommerce training | Compare available products |
| Testing affiliate marketing for the first time | Stakecut |
| Already earning affiliate commissions | Both |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Selar better than Stakecut?
For most complete beginners who want to start without paying an affiliate access fee, Stakecut is the better starting point.
Selar becomes more attractive if you specifically want access to its wider Affiliate Network and are comfortable paying the ₦3,000 annual access fee.
Is Stakecut free?
Yes. Stakecut currently states that affiliate registration and marketplace access are free.
Does Selar charge affiliates?
Access to Selar’s broader Affiliate program currently costs ₦3,000 per year. However, a merchant can directly add an affiliate to a product for free.
Which pays higher commissions, Selar or Stakecut?
Neither platform has one universal commission rate for every product. Commission varies by offer.
Selar’s current Affiliate Network rules require at least 30% for most products and 20% for products priced at ₦50,000 and above. Stakecut also has different commission rates depending on the product and vendor.
Can I make money with affiliate marketing without creating my own product?
Yes. That is one of the main advantages of affiliate marketing.
You promote somebody else’s product using a unique tracking link and receive a commission when you generate a qualifying sale.
Can I setup a blog for Selar or Stakecut affiliate marketing?
Yes.
A blog can be particularly useful because you can target people who are already searching for information related to the product you want to promote.
For example:
“How to Start an ECommerce Business in Nigeria”
can naturally lead to a recommendation for an eCommerce course.
Do I need a large social media following?
No.
You can use SEO, blogging, YouTube, WhatsApp, email, social media or other legitimate traffic sources.
A smaller audience with strong buying intent can be more valuable than a large audience that has little interest in the product.
Which is better for students in Nigeria?
Stakecut is the better starting choice if the student wants to begin without paying the ₦3,000 Selar Affiliate Network fee.
The student can start with no affiliate access fee and learn the fundamentals before spending money on additional platforms.
Can I join both Selar and Stakecut?
Yes. There is no reason your affiliate business must depend on only one platform.
You can compare products from both marketplaces and promote the offers that best fit your audience.
How Much Can You Make With Selar or Stakecut?
There is no fixed amount.
Your income depends on the product, commission, traffic and conversion rate.
For example, suppose you promote a ₦20,000 course paying 50%.
Your commission per sale would be:
₦10,000
Our Final Verdict: Selar vs Stakecut
After comparing the two platforms, Stakecut is my winner for beginners in Nigeria.
The reason is straightforward.
You can start for free, access its marketplace, select products, generate affiliate links and begin testing your marketing strategy without first paying an annual Affiliate Network access fee. Stakecut also states that approved affiliate commissions are generally processed weekly, subject to its applicable checks and conditions.
Selar remains a strong alternative. Its Affiliate Network gives affiliates access to a large collection of digital products, and merchants can also add affiliates directly to their products without the affiliate paying for that direct relationship. The ₦3,000 annual fee becomes relevant when you want access to the wider Affiliate Network.
So, if you are a young Nigerian asking:
“Should I start with Selar or Stakecut?”
My answer is:
Start with Stakecut.
Learn how affiliate marketing works.
Choose one good product.
Create useful content around the problem that product solves.
Drive targeted traffic to your content.
Make your first sale.
Then consider adding Selar to your affiliate strategy.
The goal should not be to join as many affiliate platforms as possible. The goal is to find good products, reach people who actually need them and build enough trust for those people to buy.
Final winner: Stakecut for beginners.
Best approach for experienced affiliates: Use both and promote the best product available on either platform.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate/referral links. If you sign up or purchase through them, 2WV Digital may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend platforms we’ve researched and believe are genuinely useful to our readers.
