For Vendors/Merchants on Onyx Marketplace
This Service Level Agreement (“Agreement“ or “SLA“) is entered into between:
Onyx Marketplace an e-commerce platform designed to provide consumers with access to essential products in an affordable and convenient manner. The platform is operated by Sapphire Virtual Network Limited and 4 Core Integrated Services Limited, companies duly incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“Onyx“, “the Company“, “We“, “Us“).
And The Vendor/Merchant whose details are provided in the Vendor Registration Form (“Vendor“, “Merchant“, “You“).
This SLA governs the Vendor's use of the Onyx Marketplace Platform to list, market, and sell products to customers (“Buyers“), including all financial, fulfilment, quality, compliance, and operational obligations. This document forms part of the Vendor's legally binding contractual relationship with Onyx.
All goods uploaded, listed, or sold by the Vendor on the Onyx platform.
Any end-user who purchases or attempts to purchase products through Onyx.
Financial partners (e.g., microfinance banks) who pay Vendors upfront while Buyers repay in installments.
The Onyx online marketplace website, mobile application, and related systems.
Any confirmed purchase initiated by a Buyer for the Vendor' product(s).
The entire process of preparing, packaging, and delivering products after an order is placed.
The standards and obligations that govern Vendor performance on the platform.
This SLA defines the required standard of service, operational responsibilities, quality guidelines, timelines, compliance rules, and performance metrics expected of all Vendors on Onyx.
The intent is to ensure:
The Vendor acknowledges that participation on the Onyx Marketplace constitutes a legal and commercial partnership that requires full identity verification, compliance screening, and regulatory validation. Accordingly, the Vendor agrees to complete the Onyx onboarding process accurately, truthfully, and in accordance with all applicable Nigerian laws and Onyx platform requirements. The Vendor warrants that all information supplied during onboarding is complete, correct, current, and free from material omissions, and understands that Onyx relies upon the accuracy of such information for legal compliance, fraud prevention, consumer protection, and financial reporting purposes.
As a condition for onboarding and continued participation on the Onyx Marketplace, the Vendor shall submit the following mandatory documentation and information:
Purpose and Rationale: The Vendor expressly acknowledges that the onboarding requirements above are essential for Onyx to verify business legitimacy, confirm ownership structure, validate financial identity, and ensure compliance with Nigerian commercial, tax, financial, AML, and consumer protection laws. These requirements also safeguard Buyers, reduce fraud risk, and maintain the integrity of the Marketplace ecosystem.
Where the Vendor provides false, misleading, forged, incomplete, or unverifiable information at any point during or after onboarding, Onyx shall be entitled—without prejudice to other legal remedies—to immediately suspend the Vendor' account, withhold payments, or permanently delist the Vendor from the Marketplace. Onyx may also report the Vendor to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), or any relevant regulatory authority where such misrepresentation constitutes fraud, tax evasion, identity manipulation, or any other statutory offence. The Vendor shall bear full legal liability for all damages, losses, penalties, or regulatory actions arising from such misrepresentation.
The Vendor shall ensure that all products uploaded to the Onyx Marketplace contain accurate, truthful, complete, and non-misleading descriptions. Each product listing must contain, at a minimum, the correct product name, full technical specifications, applicable model numbers, relevant dimensions or sizes, accurate pricing, warranty or guarantee information (where applicable), and clear product images that represent the actual item being offered for sale. The Vendor acknowledges that all information displayed to Buyers constitutes a representation under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and that any form of exaggeration, concealment of defects, misdescription, or omission of relevant details shall be treated as a misleading commercial practice. The Vendor further undertakes that no listing shall contain false claims, unverifiable statements, or deceptive product imagery likely to influence a Buyer' purchasing decision.
Where Onyx identifies, or receives a report of, inaccurate or misleading product information, Onyx shall notify the Vendor to immediately correct the listing. The Vendor shall effect such correction within twenty-four (24) hours of notification. Failure to do so shall attract a non-compliance administrative fine of ₦25,000 (Twenty-Five Thousand Naira) per affected product listing. In the event that the Vendor repeatedly (i.e., more than twice within a 60-day period) uploads inaccurate, misleading, or deceptive product listings, Onyx reserves the right to: (a) remove the affected product(s) from the Marketplace; (b) suspend the Vendor' account temporarily or indefinitely; and/or (c) report the Vendor to relevant consumer protection authorities where such conduct constitutes a statutory violation. Onyx shall not be liable for losses arising from such corrective actions, and the Vendor agrees to indemnify Onyx against complaints, refunds, chargebacks, or damages resulting from inaccurate listings.
The Vendor shall not, under any circumstance, list or attempt to list products that are illegal, restricted, dangerous, fraudulent, or otherwise prohibited under Nigerian law, Onyx Marketplace policies, or applicable international regulatory standards. Such prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
The Vendor acknowledges that the listing or sale of counterfeit or unsafe goods exposes Onyx to reputational and legal risk under the FCCPA, NAFDAC regulations, and Nigerian criminal statutes. The Vendor shall therefore assume full responsibility for verifying the authenticity, legality, and compliance status of all goods listed on the Onyx platform.
Where Onyx determines, in its sole discretion, that a Vendor has listed a prohibited item, Onyx shall immediately delist such product without prior notice. In addition, the Vendor shall be liable for an administrative penalty of ₦100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) for each prohibited item listed. Onyx may further: (a) suspend or permanently terminate the Vendor' Marketplace account; (b) withhold payouts related to the prohibited transaction; (c) require the Vendor to refund all affected Buyers in full; and (d) report the Vendor to law enforcement, regulatory agencies, or relevant authorities. The Vendor shall bear sole and full liability for any consumer damages, personal injury, legal claims, reputational harm, regulatory fines, or financial losses arising from the listing or sale of prohibited products. The Vendor also agrees to indemnify Onyx from all consequences resulting from such violation.
Vendor shall confirm and accept each order placed through the Platform within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the order notification. Upon acceptance, Vendor shall ensure that the ordered item(s) are fully prepared, packaged, and ready for pickup by the assigned logistics partner within the same twenty-four (24) hour window.
Rationale: This requirement ensures a seamless and efficient fulfilment experience for Buyers, reduces logistics delays, and maintains the overall service level expected on the Platform. Timely order processing is essential for customer satisfaction and for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the marketplace.
Where the Vendor fails to confirm the order or prepare the item for pickup within the stipulated 24-hour timeframe, Onyx reserves the right to apply any or all of the following sanctions: ●Automatic cancellation of the order to prevent Buyer dissatisfaction or prolonged delays; ●A late fulfilment penalty of ₦5,000 charged to the Vendor for each affected order.
Vendor shall ensure that all products are packaged in a manner suitable for transport, taking into account the nature, fragility, and size of the item. Packaging must be secure, tamper-proof, and resistant to environmental or handling risks that may occur during delivery. Vendor shall also include an invoice or packing slip within the package to support Buyer verification and after-sales processes.
Minimum Packaging Requirements:
Vendor shall bear the full replacement cost of any product that becomes damaged, broken, or compromised due to inadequate, improper, or negligent packaging. This includes situations where the packaging fails to meet the Platform' required standards or where such failure results in Buyer complaints, returns, or delivery partner disputes.
Vendor shall fully cooperate with all Onyx-designated logistics partners responsible for pickup, transportation, and delivery of items. Vendor is required to make items available for collection at the agreed pickup location and time, and must not delay, obstruct, or refuse the handover of items to the assigned delivery partner.
Expected Conduct:
Any act by the Vendor that disrupts, delays, or prevents the successful pickup of items—including refusal to cooperate with logistics personnel—may result in temporary suspension of the Vendor' account or, in repeated cases, further disciplinary measures as determined by Onyx.
The Vendor expressly warrants and represents that all products listed, promoted, or sold on the Platform are authentic, original, and sourced directly from legitimate manufacturers or authorized distributors. The Vendor further undertakes that no product shall be refurbished, used, altered, or tampered with unless such condition is expressly disclosed in the product listing in clear and unambiguous terms.
Compliance Expectation:
Rationale:
These obligations exist to protect Buyers from fraud, ensure trust, and uphold the integrity of the Platform' marketplace ecosystem.
Penalty for Non-Compliance:
Where a Vendor is found to have offered, sold, or delivered counterfeit, fake, misrepresented, or undisclosed refurbished items, Onyx may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
Vendor shall honour, support, and fulfil all warranty, guarantee, or maintenance obligations stated in the product listing, packaging, or any accompanying documentation at the time of sale. The Vendor shall ensure that all warranty terms—whether vendor-provided or manufacturer-provided—are clearly disclosed to the Buyer and remain valid for the duration stated.
Compliance Expectation:
Penalty for Non-Compliance:
Where the Vendor fails or refuses to honour any valid warranty claim, Onyx reserves the right to require the Vendor to:
The Vendor expressly agrees and undertakes to accept and honour Buyer return requests submitted through the Onyx Platform where such requests arise from any of the following circumstances:
Vendor Responsibility:
The Vendor shall cooperate fully with Onyx in the verification, acknowledgement, and approval of return claims and must refrain from unreasonably rejecting or disputing legitimate return requests.
Upon receiving a return request notification from Onyx, the Vendor must process, acknowledge, and approve or respond to the return request within forty-eight (48) hours. Processing includes:
The purpose of this timeline is to ensure timely resolution, prevent Buyer dissatisfaction, and maintain operational efficiency across the Onyx marketplace.
Penalty for Non-Compliance:
Where the Vendor fails to process or act upon a return request within the stipulated 48-hour window, Onyx reserves the right to impose a penalty of:
This penalty may be applied against future vendor settlements or invoiced directly to the Vendor.
The Vendor acknowledges and agrees that all products sold on the Onyx Platform may be financed by third-party lenders or installment partners who provide upfront payment to the Vendor upon successful sale. Accordingly, where a return request results in an approved refund, the Vendor shall bear full financial responsibility for the refund amount.
Refund Mechanism:
Approved refund amounts may be recovered through any of the following means:
Rationale:
This structure ensures the protection of Buyers and Lenders, prevents financial losses to the platform, and ensures accountability for product quality and service standards.
Vendor Obligation:
The Vendor shall not delay, dispute without reasonable grounds, or attempt to avoid refund obligations. Any attempt to evade refund responsibilities shall be treated as a breach of this Agreement and may result in sanctions including listing suspension, account freezing, or legal escalation.
Upon the confirmation of an order on the Onyx Platform, the Vendor hereby acknowledges and agrees that payment for such order shall be made directly and immediately by the Lender assigned to the transaction.
This structure enables Vendors to receive full payment upfront for the goods sold, thereby ensuring business stability, cashflow predictability, and reduced financial exposure. The payment made by the Lender represents a complete settlement of Onyx' financial obligation to the Vendor in respect of that particular order, subject only to return, refund, or fraud-related reversals as outlined in this Agreement.
The Vendor agrees that once such payment is made by the Lender, Onyx shall be deemed to have fully discharged its responsibility to facilitate payment for that transaction, and the Vendor shall not demand any further payment from Onyx or the Buyer. All payments shall be made strictly to the bank account provided during Vendor onboarding, and the Vendor has the responsibility to ensure that such bank details are accurate and updated.
The Vendor expressly understands and agrees that the Onyx Platform operates a financing model under which Buyers repay the Lender in instalments, on terms exclusively determined between Onyx, the Buyer, and the Lender.
Accordingly:
The Vendor agrees that Onyx charges a commission on every approved sale made through the Platform. This commission is category-based, and the exact percentage applicable to each product category shall be communicated to the Vendor during onboarding or updated via the Vendor Dashboard or official notice.
The Vendor expressly authorizes Onyx to deduct commissions automatically from any amounts payable to the Vendor, whether such amounts are settled by Lenders or arise from reconciliations or adjustments. This authorization is irrevocable for as long as the Vendor remains active on the Platform.
The commission constitutes Onyx' fee for providing marketplace infrastructure, exposure, logistics coordination, lender partnership management, dispute resolution, and general platform services. Onyx reserves the right to review or modify commission rates from time to time, provided that the Vendor is given reasonable advance notice through electronic channels.
The Vendor acknowledges that failure to comply with commission deductions constitutes a breach of this Agreement and may result in suspension, withholding of settlements, or permanent delisting from the Platform.
The Vendor acknowledges and agrees that Onyx shall continuously monitor and evaluate Vendor performance on the Platform using defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure service reliability, consumer protection, and consistent marketplace standards. These KPIs form an essential part of Onyx' operational and quality control framework and apply to all Vendors as a condition of ongoing participation on the Platform.
The KPIs shall include, but are not limited to, the following measurable standards:
The Vendor agrees that Onyx may publish, display, or use these performance metrics internally or externally for quality assurance purposes, provided such publication complies with applicable data protection laws.
The Vendor acknowledges that failure to meet or maintain the required KPIs may constitute a breach of this Agreement and may negatively affect Buyer experience, the operations of the Lenders, and the overall functioning of the Onyx Platform. Accordingly, Onyx reserves the right to take corrective or disciplinary actions proportionate to the severity, frequency, and impact of such underperformance.
Without prejudice to Onyx' other rights under law or contract, the following measures may be applied:
Each of the above measures may be applied individually or cumulatively depending on the nature and gravity of the Vendor' performance breaches. Onyx retains the right to determine the appropriate remedy in each circumstance.
The Vendor acknowledges that, in the course of using the Onyx Marketplace Platform, it may have access to personal data relating to Buyers, prospective customers, logistics partners, or other stakeholders. Accordingly, the Vendor hereby undertakes to fully comply with all obligations imposed under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, relevant Regulations, and any guidelines issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). The Vendor further acknowledges that Onyx operates as a Data Controller while Vendors may act as independent Data Controllers or Data Processors (depending on the transaction flow), and therefore both Parties must uphold the highest standards of data protection and privacy.
The Vendor shall treat as strictly confidential all personal data accessed through the Onyx Platform, including but not limited to customer names, contact details, purchase history, financial information, delivery information, and any other identifiable or sensitive data. The Vendor agrees that such data:
Any unauthorized disclosure or misuse of Buyer data shall constitute a serious breach of this Agreement and may trigger statutory penalties under the NDPA.
The Vendor shall ensure that all business-related information shared with Onyx or transmitted via the Onyx Platform—including product data, financial information, delivery records, contract documents, and operational correspondence—is handled in a secure manner. This includes, but is not limited to:
The Vendor shall immediately notify Onyx in writing of any suspected or actual data breach, unauthorized system access, or compromise involving information obtained through the Platform, and shall cooperate fully in any remediation or investigation process.
The Vendor agrees that all data accessed, generated, or received through the Platform—including analytics, customer patterns, pricing information, platform communications, and dashboard insights—shall be used only for purposes directly connected to the Vendor' lawful business activities on the Platform. Vendors are expressly prohibited from:
Onyx reserves the right to monitor Vendor access patterns for compliance and to revoke access where misuse is detected.
The Vendor acknowledges that, during the course of this engagement, it may receive access to confidential business information belonging to Onyx, including operational processes, technology systems, pricing structures, lender arrangements, platform architecture, internal documents, and strategic plans. The Vendor agrees to:
These obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement.
A breach of this Data Protection & Confidentiality Clause shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. Onyx reserves the right to impose any or all of the following penalties depending on the nature and gravity of the violation:
The Vendor shall indemnify and hold Onyx harmless against all damages, claims, regulatory sanctions, or losses arising from the Vendor' breach of data protection or confidentiality obligations.
The Vendor hereby agrees and undertakes to comply strictly with all applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory requirements governing e-commerce transactions, product distribution, financing structures, instalment-based purchase models, and consumer protection in Nigeria. This includes, but is not limited to:
Any breach of legal or regulatory requirements constitutes a material violation of this Agreement and may result in immediate account suspension, permanent delisting, financial penalties, indemnification claims, or initiation of legal action by Onyx or relevant regulatory authorities without prior notice.
Onyx shall have the unrestricted right, at any time and without the obligation of providing prior notice where necessary, to conduct verification audits and physical or virtual inspections of the Vendor' business operations. Such inspections may include, but are not limited to: (a) visiting the Vendor' physical store, warehouse, or operational facility to confirm existence, inventory levels, and compliance with quality standards; (b) examining product authenticity, packaging quality, warranty documentation, and conformity certifications (particularly for electronics, appliances, machinery, and any regulated goods); and (c) reviewing the Vendor' quality control processes, sourcing documentation, supplier invoices, importation records, and any material that relates to the Vendor' ability to fulfil orders in accordance with this Agreement. The Vendor agrees to cooperate fully with all audit and inspection exercises and shall provide access, documents, and personnel as reasonably required. Any attempt to obstruct or frustrate an audit shall constitute grounds for immediate suspension or termination.
The Vendor hereby grants Onyx a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, display, publish, modify for promotional formatting, and distribute all product images, brand assets, logos, descriptions, catalogues, videos, and related materials uploaded or provided by the Vendor for the purpose of operating and promoting the Vendor' listings on the Onyx Marketplace. This licence remains valid for as long as the Vendor' products are listed on the Platform and for reasonable archiving or legal compliance periods thereafter. The Vendor represents and warrants that: (a) it is the rightful owner or authorized licensee of all intellectual property used in connection with its products; (b) such content does not infringe the rights of any third party; and (c) it shall indemnify Onyx against all claims, liabilities, losses, or damages arising from intellectual property disputes.
Onyx reserves the absolute right to suspend the Vendor' account, restrict listing activities, or temporarily freeze settlement payments where the Vendor is found to engage in conduct such as: (a) fraudulent transactions or misrepresentation; (b) selling counterfeit, illegal, unsafe, expired, or non-certified goods; (c) repeated violation of Onyx policies, service standards, or regulatory requirements; (d) extremely poor ratings, high cancellation/return rates, or persistent customer complaints; (e) behaviour that poses a risk to Buyer safety, platform security, or public interest. Suspension may be imposed immediately and without prior notice where urgent action is required to protect Buyers or regulatory compliance.
Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing thirty (30) days' written notice. However, Onyx may terminate the Agreement immediately and without notice where the Vendor commits a severe violation including fraud, sale of counterfeit products, breach of confidentiality, regulatory non-compliance, reputational harm to Onyx, or conduct deemed materially damaging to the platform.
Where the Vendor breaches any provision of this Agreement, Onyx may enforce one or more of the following remedies: 1.Monetary fines, administrative charges, or penalties as outlined in this Agreement or communicated by Onyx' compliance team. 2.Temporary or permanent removal of product listings from the Marketplace. 3.Suspension or permanent delisting from the Onyx Platform. 4.Initiation of legal action for damages, injunctions, or specific performance. 5.Recovery of financial losses suffered by Onyx, Lenders, Buyers, or other stakeholders. The Vendor shall be fully liable for damages, losses, regulatory sanctions, injury, or claims arising from: (a) counterfeit or substandard goods; (b) harm or injury caused by defective products; (c) violation of Nigerian law; (d) misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent advertising; (e) misrepresentation of product authenticity, warranty, or condition.
The Vendor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Onyx, its directors, employees, financial partners (including Lenders), and affiliates from any and all claims, losses, damages, fines, liabilities, expenses, legal fees, regulatory actions, or third-party lawsuits arising from or in connection with: (a) defective, unsafe, or misrepresented products supplied by the Vendor; (b) consumer injury, death, property loss, or damages arising from product use; (c) intellectual property infringement; (d) violation of data protection or confidentiality obligations; (e) breach of any clause in this Agreement or any Nigerian law; (f) complaints, disputes, or class actions initiated by Buyers due to Vendor actions. This obligation survives termination of the Vendor' participation on the Onyx Platform.
To the fullest extent permitted under Nigerian law, Onyx shall not be responsible or liable for: (a) any failure of the Vendor to meet operational obligations; (b) indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages including loss of profit, business opportunity, or reputation; (c) delays caused by logistics partners, market fluctuations, payment processors, system downtime, technical disruptions, or third-party service providers; (d) Vendor errors in inventory management, pricing, packaging, or product quality. Onyx' maximum aggregate liability to the Vendor shall not exceed the total commissions earned by Onyx on the Vendor' sales for the preceding 30 days.
This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Parties agree to follow a structured resolution process as follows: 1.Negotiation: Both Parties shall first attempt to resolve the dispute amicably through written correspondence and consultations. 2.Mediation: If unresolved within fourteen (14) days, the dispute shall be referred to mediation under the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse or any recognized ADR centre. 3.Arbitration: Where mediation fails, the dispute shall be finally resolved through arbitration at the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), before a single arbitrator appointed in accordance with LCA Rules. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding.
Onyx reserves the right to modify, revise, or update this Service Level Agreement at any time due to regulatory changes, operational updates, technological improvements, or business requirements. Vendors shall be notified of any amendment by email, platform notification, or dashboard alert at least fourteen (14) days prior to the new terms taking effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date shall constitute acceptance of the updated Agreement.
By creating a Vendor account, uploading products, or transacting on the Onyx Marketplace, the Vendor acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by this Service Level Agreement, the Onyx Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and all additional policies incorporated by reference. Digital acceptance through checkbox, click-through, or electronic signature shall constitute valid execution under Nigerian law.
Last updated: January 2025 | Onyx Marketplace - Service Level Agreement