Online design platform Canva has significantly increased its Pro subscription price in Nigeria, raising the monthly fee from ₦2,800 to ₦5,500. The change affects individual creators, students, and small businesses who rely on the platform for everyday design tasks.
New pricing structure
According to checks by Technext, users on older “legacy” plans are already being billed at the new rates. Canva’s current pricing in Nigeria now includes:
- Canva Pro: ₦5,500/month or ₦44,000/year
- Canva Business: ₦7,500/month or ₦75,000/year
- Daily pass: ₦400
- Weekly pass: ₦1,100
- One-time premium element unlock: ₦1,200
The daily and weekly subscriptions, introduced in December 2024, remain unchanged, providing more flexible pay-as-you-go options.
Reason for the hike
Canva links the price increase to expanded product offerings, particularly its AI-powered tools like Magic Write, Magic Design, and automated design workflows, which are now bundled into the Pro plan.
The company is also phasing out older discounted subscriptions that had persisted for years, while the naira’s depreciation has made it increasingly difficult for foreign software companies to maintain previous local prices.
Implications for Nigerian creators
The ₦5,500 monthly fee positions Canva more as a premium creative tool, potentially straining freelancers, students, and small businesses who initially chose the platform for affordability.
However, the daily and weekly plans may offer a cost-effective alternative. For instance, four weekly subscriptions at ₦1,100 each total ₦4,400, cheaper than the monthly fee, making short-term access an attractive option for occasional users.
Additionally, the one-time payment option for premium design elements allows users to purchase individual assets without subscribing, signalling a shift toward a more flexible, pay-as-you-go model.
A new positioning in Nigeria
Taken together, these updates reflect Canva’s repositioning in Nigeria: from a simple design tool to a comprehensive AI-powered creative workspace. While users now have more choice and access to advanced features, everyday costs have increased, requiring creators to weigh the benefits of new tools against higher subscription fees.
