Sign nothing undefined.
Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya share English common-law contract heritage — a plain written agreement, signed by both sides, is the whole ceremony. What matters is which clauses: scope, payment terms, IP transfer, kill fee, jurisdiction. Here is what each does and why US clients accept them without blinking.
The seven clauses.
Why US clients sign these without friction.
These are not aggressive terms — they are default terms. US service agreements carry payment-gated IP, kill fees and defined scope as standard; a freelancer who presents them reads as experienced, not difficult. What makes a contract signable is precision, not length: two pages of clear clauses beat twelve pages of boilerplate nobody reads. Our pack is written to be read by both sides in ten minutes.
The cross-border specifics: (1) contract states USD amounts — your local-currency conversion is your operational matter, not a contract term; (2) payment method named (ACH/wire instructions go on the invoice, not the contract); (3) jurisdiction clause acknowledges cross-border reality — "laws of [client's state/country], disputes first by good-faith negotiation" is commonly accepted and avoids unenforceable fantasy clauses; (4) W-8BEN mentioned as a compliance exhibit where the client requests it (explained).
Ghana/Nigeria/Kenya enforcement reality: for typical freelance amounts, the contract's real function is prevention and clarity — it stops scope drift and payment ambiguity before they happen — not courtroom drama. Get paid via rails with receipts (receipts page), keep the signed PDF in the client folder, and file for tax records (GH · NG). The pack ships US-client and local-client variants.
Two variants, fill-in ready.
The Kit's contract pack: US-client and local-client versions, every clause annotated with why it exists. $19 founding through Dec 31, with invoice and rate card. 14-day refund.
Questions.
Is a freelance contract legally valid across borders (US to Ghana/Nigeria/Kenya)?
Yes — parties may agree in writing which law governs; cross-border service contracts are routine. Enforceability across jurisdictions is the practical limit, which is why the contract's main job is prevention and clarity rather than litigation.
Can I use a contract for small projects under $500?
Yes — and you should: even a one-page agreement with scope, price, due date and IP-on-payment prevents the two common small-project disputes (undefined revisions, delayed payment). The pack's short form fits under $500 work.
Who should govern the contract — my country or theirs?
US clients typically propose their state's law; that is common and acceptable for standard freelance work. The clause's value is that it exists (no ambiguity). Negotiate jurisdiction only on large contracts with real dispute risk.
When does IP transfer to the client?
On full payment — this is standard and payment-gated IP belongs in every agreement. Until the invoice is cleared, work remains yours; the license to use drafts can be granted for evaluation purposes.