My friend called me in a panic. She had just landed her first international remote job, a huge deal! But there was a catch: the company insisted on paying her through PayPal. She froze. PayPal? In Nigeria? She’d always thought it was for people abroad, not something you could open from a Lagos apartment with a GTBank card.

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure either. So we dug deep. What we found was both hopeful and frustrating. Let’s just say PayPal works in Nigeria, but not in the way most people expect. 

This guide explains what’s possible with PayPal in Nigeria, the limitations, and how smart Nigerians are working around them to get paid globally, legally, and securely.

Is PayPal Available in Nigeria?

Use PayPal in Nigeria

Yes, PayPal is available in Nigeria, but with limitations. Since its limited launch in 2014, Nigerians can easily open an account, link their bank card, and shop or send money abroad. That part works just fine.

What you can’t do is receive payments. If you’re a freelancer or business owner hoping to get paid, the Nigerian version of PayPal won’t do the job. Receiving funds is still blocked, a policy PayPal blames on fraud concerns and compliance issues. And as of today, nothing has changed. The policy is still in place.

So yes, PayPal works, but only if you’re spending, not earning.

The good news? Nigerians are nothing if not resourceful and have found creative ways to make PayPal work for them. But first, let’s break down how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria and what exactly you’ll be able to do with it.

How Can You Open a PayPal Account in Nigeria?

Here are the quick steps to opening a PayPal account in Nigeria:

  • Go to the official PayPal website (www.paypal.com) and click “Sign Up.”
  • Choose either “Personal” or “Business” account depending on your needs.
  • Fill in your details: name, email address, phone number, residential address, and create a secure password.
  • Link a Visa or Mastercard from a Nigerian bank. (Note: Verve cards won’t work. Dollar cards may be more reliable due to naira limits.)
  • Check your email inbox and click the verification link from PayPal to confirm your email address.
  • PayPal will charge your card a small amount (usually around $1.95) to confirm the transaction. Check your bank alert or statement for the 4-digit PayPal code and enter it.
  • Follow the prompts to complete the transaction.
  • Once verified, your account can send payments, shop online, or link with platforms that accept PayPal.

What You Can Do with PayPal in Nigeria

PayPal may be limited in Nigeria, but it’s still useful. Here’s what you can do with PayPal in Nigeria:

1. Shop Online 

You can use your Nigerian PayPal account to pay on global websites like AliExpress, ASOS, Canva, and Zoom, as long as they accept PayPal. Just link a Visa or Mastercard from a Nigerian bank, and PayPal will automatically convert naira to the right currency at checkout.

2. Send Money Internationally

You can pay for services, contribute to a group gift, pay international school fees, or send lunch money to someone in the UK with a PayPal account from Nigeria, as long as the person on the other end can receive it.

3. Link Your PayPal Account to Subscription Services 

You can link your Nigerian PayPal account to Spotify, Apple Services, and other platforms that accept PayPal for monthly payments. It’s safer than entering your card directly on every site.

Limitations of Using PayPal in Nigeria

Now the not-so-fun part: Here’s what you can’t do with a Nigerian PayPal account:

1. Receive money

This is the biggest limitation. Even if you open a business account, PayPal still won’t allow you to receive money in Nigeria. Why? The limitation isn’t what kind of account you open, but where you open it from. 

If your account says “Nigeria” on the box, PayPal says “no” to incoming payments, business or not. So, yes, a Nigerian PayPal business account is just as blocked from receiving funds as the personal one.

2. Withdraw PayPal funds to your Nigerian bank

Since there are no incoming payments, there will be nothing to withdraw. Nigerian PayPal accounts can’t hold a balance, and you cannot move funds to your local bank account. It’s like having a wallet you can’t put money into.

3. Use Verve or Some Naira Cards

PayPal isn’t friends with all Nigerian cards. Verve is a no-go. Some Naira cards may also give you issues, especially with international transactions. If you want fewer headaches, you’ll have better luck using a Visa or Mastercard, preferably a dollar card.

What Are PayPal Alternatives to Receiving Payments in Nigeria?

1. Use a PayPal Business Account Registered in a Supported Country

If PayPal says “no” to Nigerians receiving funds, set up shop where PayPal says “yes.” Many Nigerians create PayPal Business accounts using details from countries like the US, UK, UAE, Lesotho, and Kenya. Countries where receiving payments is allowed.

You will need a business name and a verifiable address in that country, a foreign phone number, a virtual bank account (like via Payoneer), and full honesty. For the U.S. or U.K., services like Doola and Firstbase can help you register a legit LLC. Once your business exists on paper, you’re eligible to open a fully functional PayPal Business account tied to it.

Caution: It’s a workaround. Legal if done transparently, but risky if you cut corners. PayPal doesn’t play with shady setups.

2. Open a Personal PayPal Account from a Supported Country (with a VPN)

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of creating a registered business, you can still receive PayPal funds, just not with a Nigerian account.

Here’s the workaround:

  • You can sign up using a VPN from a supported country like Lesotho, Kenya, or the UAE. 
  • Use your real Nigerian name, email, and phone number,  but select the VPN country as your region.
  • Link a virtual USD account (like Payoneer, Grey, or Chipper) to withdraw funds from your non-Nigerian PayPal account.

Tip: Don’t upload fake documents. Keep your login habits consistent with the country you selected, and avoid switching between Nigeria and the VPN country without cause; this helps to reduce the risk of account flags or limitations.

3. Use Flutterwave

If you run an online business and use Flutterwave, you can enable a PayPal payment option at checkout. Your clients pay via PayPal, and you get the funds straight to your Flutterwave balance; no PayPal account is needed. This is perfect for freelancers, small online stores, and side hustlers selling digital products.

Tip: You’ll need a Flutterwave business account and a proper website or service description, but it works beautifully once you set it up. 

4. Use Easier Alternatives

If PayPal is still giving you headaches, here are a few solid alternatives that don’t require jumping through flaming hoops:

  • Payoneer: Freelancers love this platform. So, clients can pay you via card or bank transfer, and you can withdraw in USD or Naira.
  • Gift Cards: You can accept gift cards as payment from flexible clients and convert the cards to cash on platforms like Prestmit.
  • Crypto: Platforms like Binance or Paxful allow people to send you crypto (like Bitcoin or USDT) as payment. You can then sell it instantly and get paid in Naira.
  • International Money Services: There are top money services that enable give you a virtual USD or GBP account, so international clients can pay you as if you have a local account in their country. You’ll get the money fast, then withdraw it to your Nigerian bank.

Sometimes, the best way around PayPal’s walls is to walk around them entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Using PayPal in Nigeria 

Can I receive PayPal payments with a Nigerian account?

No, you cannot receive PayPal payments with a Nigerian account. Nigerian PayPal accounts (even business ones) cannot receive money.

Why does PayPal block Nigerians from receiving money?

PayPal blocks Nigerians from receiving money mainly due to compliance concerns, fraud concerns, and regional policy decisions. Even though many people want to use PayPal fully, PayPal hasn’t made all its features available to Nigerians yet.

Is setting up a foreign PayPal account legal?

Yes, setting up a foreign PayPal account is legal, as long as you use accurate, consistent personal details and comply with PayPal’s terms of service.

Which card works best with PayPal in Nigeria?

A virtual dollar card works best with PayPal. You can also use prepaid dollar cards or domiciliary debit cards from Nigerian banks like GTBank or Zenith, which link easily and support international payments.

If I open a PayPal Business account, can I receive payments?

No, you can’t receive payments if your business is registered in Nigeria. Even with a legitimate business, your account will still be under Nigeria’s limited feature set, which excludes receiving payments.

Does it cost money to open a PayPal account in Nigeria?

No, opening a PayPal account is completely free. You won’t be charged any registration or setup fee. However, PayPal may place a small temporary charge on your card to verify it (usually around $1–$2), which gets refunded shortly after.

Conclusion

Using PayPal in Nigeria today means recognizing its limits. Still, those limits don’t mean you’re out of options. Whether setting up a business account in a supported country, using virtual banks like Payoneer or Grey, or exploring alternatives like Flutterwave, gift cards, or crypto, you’re not stuck.

Yes, it takes a bit of effort and involves a few hoops to jump through. But if getting paid is the goal, smart, secure, and legal ways exist to make it happen. So, if PayPal shuts the front door, don’t stress. There are plenty of side doors wide open.

Last updated on August 7, 2025