TikTok is the streets! If your business is not on TikTok, you’re leaving money on the table. And we’re not talking about just creating random videos and hoping for the best—we mean real, targeted ads that put your brand right in front of the people who need what you’re selling.

But if you’ve ever tried to run TikTok ads from Nigeria, you already know it’s not exactly a walk in the park. From payment issues to account setup wahala, it’s almost like TikTok is lowkey saying, “Nigerians, how far? Hope you’re ready for stress?”

The good news? There’s a way around it. If you’ve been struggling to set up TikTok ads or you’re just getting started, here’s a step-by-step guide to making it work—without headaches or hidden charges swallowing your budget.

Step 1: Set Up a TikTok Business Account

First things first, if you’re still using a personal TikTok account to run your business, stop playing. You need a TikTok Business Account. It gives you access to TikTok Ads Manager, where all the magic happens.

1. Go to TikTok for Business and sign up.

2. Click “Create an Ad” and follow the steps to set up your ad account.

3. Fill in your business details and verify your account.

Once that’s done, you’re officially in the TikTok Ads world. But hold on, we’re just getting started.

Step 2: Fund Your TikTok Ads Account (The Nigerian Problem)

Now, here’s where a lot of people get stuck. TikTok doesn’t accept naira payments for ads, and most Nigerian bank cards? Useless. You’ll try to make payments, and they’ll hit you with “Transaction declined.” At this point, some people give up.

But you? You’re smarter than that.

The easiest way to fund your TikTok ads account is with a virtual dollar card. Platforms like Myaza offer virtual USD cards that work for international transactions, including TikTok ads. Just create your card, fund it in seconds, and you’re good to go.

Step 3: Choose Your TikTok Ad Objective

Once your account is funded, it’s time to create your first campaign. TikTok offers different ad objectives depending on what you want to achieve:

• Traffic – If you want more people to visit your website.

• Conversions – If you’re selling something and want people to buy.

• App Installs – If you have an app and need more downloads.

Pick the one that fits your business goals and move to the next step.

Step 4: Define Your Target Audience

Not every TikTok user is your customer. You need to target the right people so your money doesn’t just vanish into thin air. TikTok allows you to narrow your audience based on:

• Location (Yes, you can target Nigerians!)

• Age and Gender

• Interests and Behavior

• Device Type

If you’re selling beauty products, for example, you’ll probably want to target young women interested in makeup and skincare. Selling tech gadgets? Target young men who follow tech influencers. You get the idea.

Step 5: Create a Killer Ad (Because Nobody Likes Boring Content)

This is TikTok, not your auntie’s Facebook. Your ad needs to grab attention fast!

Some quick tips:

• Make it look native – TikTok users hate boring, over-polished ads. Make it feel like regular content.

• Use trending sounds – If a sound is viral, use it to your advantage.

• Keep it short and snappy – You have 5 seconds to hook viewers before they scroll away.

• Add a strong CTA – Tell them exactly what to do (“Shop Now,” “Sign Up,” “Click the Link”).

Step 6: Set Your Budget & Launch

TikTok ads can be affordable if done right. You can start with as little as $5 a day. But remember, the more you spend, the more people you reach.

Once your campaign is live, keep an eye on the results. If an ad is performing well, scale it up. If it’s flopping, tweak it and try again. Marketing is all about testing and optimizing.

Final Thoughts

Running TikTok ads from Nigeria can be frustrating, but it’s not impossible. The biggest roadblock is usually funding, and that’s where a virtual dollar card comes in handy. Myaza’s virtual cards make it easy to run your ads smoothly without all the usual bank wahala.

So, are you ready to blow up your business on TikTok? Because the streets are watching, and your next customer might just be one scroll away.