Understanding Settlement Timelines on Zest: What to Expect and When

In the world of payments, receiving money from a customer is just the first step. What happens next is called settlement, which refers to the process where the funds are officially transferred to your business bank account.

For merchants using Zest, understanding how and when settlements occur is crucial for planning operations, managing expenses, and maintaining a healthy cash flow. While your dashboard may show payments almost instantly, the actual transfer of funds follows a defined timeline.

This guide explains how settlement works on Zest, with a focus on the timelines for NGN (local currency) payments and international transactions, so you know exactly what to expect and when.

A settlement is the final step in a payment process. It is when the money paid by your customer is transferred from the payment system into your designated bank account.

It is important to understand the difference between payment reflection and actual settlement:

• Payment reflection indicates that the transaction has been successfully processed and is now visible in your Zest dashboard. This confirms that the customer has paid and the amount has been recorded.

• Actual settlement refers to when Zest moves the recorded amount to your chosen bank account. This transfer is completed based on standard payout timelines.

While your dashboard gives you real-time visibility, the settlement process is handled in scheduled cycles. These timelines may differ depending on whether the transaction is local (NGN) or international.

Next, we will break down what to expect for both NGN and international settlements so you can plan more effectively.

Zest ensures that all settlements follow a clear and predictable timeline. Depending on the currency and type of transaction, your funds will be settled either the next business day or within a few working days. Below is a breakdown of what to expect for NGN and international transactions.

For local transactions in Naira (NGN), Zest operates a T+1 settlement timeline. This means that funds are settled one business day after the transaction date.

• If a transaction occurs on Monday, settlement is completed on Tuesday.

• If a transaction occurs on Friday, settlement takes place on Monday (excluding public holidays).

Exceptions to note:

• Transactions made on weekends or national public holidays will be settled on the next business day.

• Payment activity reflects instantly once a transaction is completed.

• Settlement status will update once the funds are transferred to your bank account, the following business day.

For transactions made in foreign currencies, Zest operates a T+5 settlement timeline, meaning that settlements are completed five business days after the transaction date.

• Currency conversion: Funds must go through a secure conversion process before they are settled into your account.

• Partner banks and cross-border channels: Settlement time may depend on the speed and processing standards of international banking partners.

• Compliance and verification checks: All international transactions are subject to standard regulatory reviews, which may affect timing.

• Transactions reflect in your dashboard once processed.

• You can view the expected settlement date and monitor the status through the reporting tools available in your Merchant Dashboard.

• For additional questions, you can contact the Zest support team for updates.

Zest gives you real-time visibility into your payments and settlements through the Merchant Dashboard. Here’s how to stay informed:

• Log in to your Merchant Dashboard.

• Navigate to the Transactions or Settlement section.

• You’ll see each transaction listed with its current status.

• Pending: The transaction is complete, but the settlement process has not started yet.

• Processing: Settlement is in progress and is scheduled based on the timeline for that transaction type (NGN or international).

• Settled: Funds have been transferred to your bank account.

• If a transaction has not moved from "processing" to "settled" after the stated T+1 or T+5 period (excluding weekends and holidays), it’s time to reach out.

• Contact the Zest Support team directly via your dashboard or through the official support email for assistance.

The payment has been processed and is visible in your dashboard, but the funds are still within the scheduled settlement timeline. For NGN, that’s one business day. For international payments, it’s five business days.

Yes, they do. Settlements only occur on business days. If a transaction happens on a weekend or public holiday, the timeline begins on the next working day.

Your real-time balance shows the total amount received from customer payments.
Your settled funds are the amounts that have been transferred to your bank account based on the applicable settlement cycle.

Zest currently operates on a fixed T+1 cycle for NGN and T+5 for international settlements. While early settlement is not standard at this time, the process is designed to be consistent and reliable. If there are updates to the policy in the future, merchants will be informed.

To get the most out of your payment experience on Zest, here are a few important tips:

• Monitor your dashboard daily to stay updated on transactions and settlement statuses

• Plan your cash flow with the standard settlement timelines in mind, especially for high-volume days

• Use your settlement reports for weekly or monthly reconciliation to keep your records accurate

• Reach out to support if a transaction goes beyond the expected settlement timeframe without resolution

Understanding how settlement timelines work helps you plan your finances better, avoid surprises, and build trust with your customers. Whether you're receiving payments in Naira or foreign currency, knowing when to expect your funds puts you in control of your business operations.

At Zest, we are committed to providing a reliable and transparent settlement experience. If you ever have questions or concerns, your dashboard and our support team are there to help.

Log in to your Zest Merchant Dashboard to review your settlement activity and get familiar with your payout patterns. The more you understand your payment flow, the better you can manage and grow your business.