Selling Canva Templates

Design reusable Canva templates — Instagram post packs, CV templates, wedding invites, business flyers — and sell them as one-time downloads on Etsy, Selar, or directly via WhatsApp/Instagram. Once a template is made, it can be sold repeatedly with no extra work per sale, which is what makes this attractive as a side income even with a full-time job. Nigerian buyers usually pay ₦1,000-₦5,000 per template pack, while Etsy/international buyers pay $3-$15 in USD via Payoneer.

Monthly Potential

₦30k–₦250k

Difficulty

Beginner Friendly

Capital Needed

₦5,000

Income Period

Per Month

🧠 Skills You'll Need

Canva (free tier is enough to start) Basic design/layout sense Understanding of a niche (e.g. weddings, CVs, small business flyers)

📍 Works Best In

Online Lagos Nationwide

🚀 How to Get Started

1

Pick one niche to start (e.g. wedding invitations or CV templates) rather than everything at once
2

Design 10-15 templates in Canva using their free templates as a base, then customize enough to be original
3

Set up a free Selar or Etsy store and upload the templates as downloadable Canva links
4

Price each template ₦1,000-₦3,000 (or $3-$8 on Etsy), and bundle 5+ into a discounted pack
5

Promote on Instagram/TikTok by showing before/after template previews, and in Nigerian small-business Facebook groups
6

Reinvest early sales into buying premium Canva Pro elements to make templates look more polished

🎓 Sign Up Free to Get Selling Canva Templates Course

💰 Ways to Fund This

SMEDAN Programmes (free registration, training, grant windows)

₦0–₦3,000,000

Government Fund

Nigerian-owned micro or small business. Free CAC business name registration via the CAC-SMEDAN partnership is a common entry point.

📊 Varies by scheme — many components are free or grant-based; some link to subsidized loans.

🌐 Apply

Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme

₦5,000–₦5,000

Grant

African entrepreneur, early-stage or existing business, apply during the annual window (typically opens Jan–Mar).

📊 Non-repayable seed capital (US$5,000) plus a 12-week mentorship and training programme.

🌐 Apply

Cooperative Society Loan

₦5,000–₦500,000

Cooperative

Membership in a registered cooperative society (workplace, community, or trade-based).

📊 Typically the lowest-cost option available — often single-digit or interest-free among trusted members.

⚠️ Informational only — not financial advice. Confirm current terms directly with each provider before applying, and borrow only what you can repay.