In Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy, trust is becoming one of the rarest commodities. As online transactions continue to rise—between individuals, businesses, and strangers on social platforms—the risk of fraud grows just as fast. Every week, countless buyers and sellers lose money not because they made bad decisions, but because they simply had no system in place to protect themselves.
It was this problem—widespread but often accepted as “normal”—that led to the birth of Escrow Village, a company committed to changing the story.
What began as a response to one entrepreneur’s frustration over repeated losses in online deals has now evolved into a structured, secure, and community-driven solution. Escrow Village is built on a simple principle: hold the money, confirm the goods or service, then release the funds. This time-tested escrow model has existed for decades in global trade, but Escrow Village has localized and digitized it for the Nigerian market, making it accessible to anyone with a phone.
One of the platform’s most powerful features is its identity verification system. Before any transaction is approved, both the buyer and seller are required to verify their identity—whether as individuals using NIN or a driver’s license, or as businesses using CAC documentation. This process is done for every transaction, helping to ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability on both sides. It is a small but crucial step that reduces anonymity and builds trust.
Today, Escrow Village has quietly become a trusted name in online safety. Its WhatsApp-based community, known as the Village of Safe Transactions, now includes over 5,000 active users—a mix of buyers, sellers, vendors, freelancers, and everyday Nigerians. Transactions worth millions of naira have been processed, with users frequently noting the peace of mind and speed of service as key benefits. Verified reviews on platforms like TrustPilot tell personal stories of how users—some transacting for the first time—were able to complete deals with confidence.
The company operates as a fully registered Nigerian entity, with certifications from CAC, SCUML, and a dedicated business account structure—an important sign of legitimacy in a market where too many platforms operate informally. It also features an AI-driven dispute support system, designed to quickly detect red flags when either party tries to manipulate evidence in a conflict. This additional layer reflects Escrow Village’s core goal: not just to process payments, but to build trust.
Looking ahead, Escrow Village is preparing to launch a Global Scam Alert System—a free, open-access tool that allows people to report scam experiences and search for known fraudsters using phone numbers, emails, or other identifiers. The vision is bold: begin in Nigeria, expand through Africa, and contribute to a global shield against online fraud.
In an environment where many still ask, “Who can I trust online?” — Escrow Village is offering a quiet, structured answer.