AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Fabric sellers usually buy Ankara by the piece or bundle from wholesale markets such as Balogun in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba or Kantin Kwari in Kano, then resell by the full piece, half piece or yard. In our labelled example, selling by the yard earns more per piece than selling whole, but leaves offcuts, while aso-ebi bulk orders bring volume in exchange for deposit and collection risk.
How the fabric trade works
Fabric is one of the oldest trades in Nigerian markets, and it still works because demand renews itself: weddings, burials, naming ceremonies, church and mosque events, school and office uniforms, and everyday tailoring. Ankara (wax print) is the volume line. Lace, george, aso-oke and plain materials carry higher prices per piece and suit sellers with more capital and a trusted customer base.
Ankara is commonly sold as a full piece of six yards, with traders also selling half pieces and cutting by the yard; check the length stated on each piece or wrapper, because it varies by brand and quality, and so does the price.
Where sellers source
Traders commonly name three large wholesale centres, though stock, quality and prices change and you should visit and compare before committing money:
- Balogun market, Lagos. Widely used by Lagos resellers for Ankara, lace and imported materials. See buying wholesale at Balogun.
- Ariaria market, Aba. Known for locally made goods and a source for South-East traders. See buying Aba-made goods wholesale.
- Kantin Kwari market, Kano. A long-established textile market serving northern buyers.
Whichever market you use, buy a small first order, check the print, colour fastness and length at home, and return to the sellers whose goods matched their description.
Telling quality apart
- Feel and weight: better wax prints are usually smoother and heavier.
- Print sharpness on both sides of the cloth.
- Colour that does not run when a small corner is washed.
- Labels and selvedge markings, which copies often get wrong.
Selling by the piece or by the yard (example)
Example only. You buy 10 pieces of Ankara at ₦18,000 each, six yards per piece: ₦180,000 in total, or 60 yards.
| How you sell | Revenue | Profit | Markup on cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 full pieces at ₦23,000 | ₦230,000 | ₦50,000 | 27.8% |
| All 60 yards at ₦4,500 | ₦270,000 | ₦90,000 | 50% |
| 54 yards at ₦4,500, 6 yards left as offcuts | ₦243,000 | ₦63,000 | 35% |
Cutting by the yard earns more per piece, but it is slower, needs a measuring table and leaves odd lengths that are hard to sell. Many sellers do both: full pieces to tailors and regular buyers, yards to walk-in customers who need a little for a top or a child's outfit, and offcuts bundled cheaply for small projects.
Tailors are worth courting. A tailor who sends customers to your stall, or buys for clients, brings steady orders; some sellers give regular tailors a better price for that reason.
Aso-ebi orders: volume with risk
Aso-ebi is the shared fabric a family or group of friends wears at an event. A celebrant or coordinator chooses a fabric and guests buy it. As a seller you might supply the coordinator, who collects money from guests, or act as coordinator yourself.
Worked example: 40 pieces
Example only. You agree to supply 40 pieces at ₦25,000 each. Your cost is ₦20,000 a piece, ₦800,000 in total. Guests pay a 50 percent deposit (₦12,500 each), giving you ₦500,000 upfront, so you put in ₦300,000 of your own money to buy all 40.
- If all 40 guests pay in full: revenue ₦1,000,000, profit ₦200,000.
- If 6 guests pay only the deposit and never collect: revenue 34 × ₦25,000 + 6 × ₦12,500 = ₦925,000, profit ₦125,000, and you hold 6 pieces to resell.
The risk is real cash tied up in fabric chosen for one event. Protect yourself with a written order, a deposit before you buy, a clear collection deadline and a rule that unpaid pieces are released for resale after that date. More on this in how aso-ebi vendors make money.
Selling online and in the market
Fabric sells well on Instagram and WhatsApp because buyers want to see the print. Photograph each piece in daylight, show it folded and draped, state the length and price clearly, and post a short video showing the texture. Classifieds such as Jiji also carry fabric listings; Jiji's FAQ describes paid Boost tiers that renew ads every 48 hours at the Basic level and more often at higher tiers, with prices on its Premium Services page.
If the trade becomes regular, register the business name with CAC; the schedule published on 29 May 2025 lists ₦1,000 for name reservation and ₦20,000 for registration. See registering a business name.
What to check first
- Which fabrics your customers already buy and the events coming up in your area.
- Two or three suppliers you have visited, with their prices noted by date.
- Storage that keeps fabric dry, clean and out of direct sun.
- A record of every aso-ebi order: names, deposits, balances and collection dates.
Where Pryme fits
Aso-ebi coordination means many small payments from many people. Virtual accounts on a Pryme Business Account can give each order its own account number so deposits are easy to match, and invoicing helps you send each guest a clear balance.
Questions people ask
How many yards is one piece of Ankara?
Ankara is commonly sold as a six-yard piece, with half pieces and cut yards also available. Check the length stated on each piece, because it differs by brand.
Where can I buy Ankara wholesale in Nigeria?
Traders commonly source from Balogun market in Lagos, Ariaria market in Aba and Kantin Kwari market in Kano. Visit and compare before buying in bulk.
How much capital do I need to start selling fabric?
You can start small. Our example uses ₦180,000 for 10 pieces. A shop with a wider range of lace and george needs much more.
How do aso-ebi sellers make money?
They buy in bulk at a lower price per piece and sell to guests at a higher price, usually collecting deposits first. The risk is guests who never pay the balance.
Sources
- Jiji.ng FAQ: What are the types of Premium Services on Jiji? · accessed Oct 2026
- CAC New Schedule of Fees (29 May 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.