They owe you ₦800k — and you only know because you checked WhatsApp
Unpaid invoices are invisible debt. Nigerian SMEs lose float waiting on customers who never got a proper reminder — or a proper invoice.
- Outstanding invoices are invisible debt — track them in one list.
- Chase on a rhythm: before due, day 1 overdue, day 7 call.
- Receivables belong next to payables when you plan cash.
Emeka runs a B2B cleaning contract business in Lekki. June looked busy — three new clients, two renewals. His bank balance says ₦410,000. His gut says “we’re fine.” Then he scrolls WhatsApp and finds four PDF invoices nobody has paid: ₦820,000 total. That is not profit. That is money he already spent time earning.
Revenue is what you invoiced. Cash is what landed. Most founders only watch one.
One list: who owes what, how late, no digging through chat.
Why invoices get stuck
It is rarely malice. Corporate customers need TIN on the invoice. Someone on their side is on leave. Your PDF sat in email while they paid a vendor who sent a link. Or you issued a proforma and never converted it to a tax invoice after delivery.
- Invoice sent once, never followed up — because follow-up feels awkward
- No shared view of “sent / viewed / paid / overdue”
- Same customer, three different spellings in your notebook
- Partial payments with no running balance
A chase rhythm that does not feel desperate
- Day 0: invoice with clear due date, VAT line, and payment instructions
- Day 3 before due: polite reminder on the same thread
- Day 1 overdue: short note with invoice link — not a novel
- Day 7 overdue: call the accounts contact; log the promise to pay
- Day 14+: partner conversation — deposit rules for next job
Trade module: issue, share, and track without leaving the workspace.
Tie receivables to cash planning
If ₦700k is outstanding and rent plus payroll is ₦900k this month, you are not “comfortable” because the bank shows ₦400k. Your home dashboard should show receivables next to payables so you see the gap before it bites.
Receivables beside payables — not buried in a folder.
Send invoices customers actually pay — Shareable links · overdue at a glance