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PayPal is one of the world’s most popular and trusted online payment systems for international transactions. You can use PayPal for shopping, paying for services, or running a freelance business. However, PayPal works differently in Nigeria compared to other countries. If you want to join the league of those using PayPal, this article will guide you through a step-by-step process of how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria, why you should choose PayPal, what you need to begin, etc.
Why Choose PayPal?
1. Accepted worldwide
PayPal is accepted by a huge number of online merchants across the world, which is why you can use PayPal with Flutterwave and other payment gateways. PayPal makes payment easy on international platforms and you don’t need to enter your card details on every site. You can simply pay via PayPal and this adds convenience and an added layer of security.
2. Reliable and secure
PayPal has strong security measures in place to protect users. These include transaction monitoring, fraud protection, and options for two-factor authentication. For many users, PayPal’s reputation and maturity make it a safer choice than less-established payment platforms.
3. International money transfer
PayPal makes sending money globally easy for Nigerians who need to pay for services outside the country such as subscription services, SaaS tools, or international freelancers. You only need to link an internationally enabled bank card, and PayPal will handle the currency conversion for you.
4. Freelancing and global work
Having a PayPal account gives you a solid option to invoice or receive payments if you work with international clients. PayPal is a widely recognized payment method among clients and employees in many countries.
What Do You Need Before to Get Started?
The following are the information and documents you need:
- A valid email address
- A Nigerian residential address and phone number
- A Visa or MasterCard (or another internationally enabled card) issued by a Nigerian bank.
- A government-issued ID (such as a national ID card, passport, or driver’s license)
- Proof of address (like a utility bill or bank statement) to verify your account later.
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.
How to Verify and Use Your PayPal Account
1. Email Verification
PayPal sends you a confirmation email when you sign up. Clicking the link in that email will confirm to PayPal that your email is active and belongs to you, which is required before you can fully use certain features.
2. Phone Verification
During or after registration, PayPal may send an OTP (One-Time Passcode) via SMS to your phone number. Enter this code to confirm that the phone number you provided is real and accessible. This also helps with future account recovery or security checks.
3. Card Confirmation
PayPal will charge a small temporary fee to your card after you link your Visa or MasterCard. You need to enter the code sent to confirm the transaction and verify that you own the card. Your account will remain partially limited if you don’t confirm your card.
4. Uploading Identification
You must upload a government-issued ID (e.g., national ID, driver’s license) to fully verify your account. You might also need to upload a proof of address (like a recent utility bill or bank statement). PayPal will take a few business days to review these documents. Once approved, your account is considered “verified,” and you can enjoy the full features of 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 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.
Common Issues and Solutions Associated with PayPal in Nigeria
1. Verification problem
If your account isn’t fully verified because PayPal rejected your ID or proof of address, make sure your documents are clear, recent, and correctly scanned or photographed. Use a high-resolution image, and ensure all details (name, address) match what you entered when signing up. If verification fails, check PayPal’s request, then resubmit carefully.
2. Inability to receive payment
If you can’t receive money, even though you have a business account, confirm that PayPal’s “Receive Payments” feature is enabled for your account. Many Nigerian users don’t have this feature. If it’s not, check PayPal’s account-type settings, and ensure that you gave legitimate business details. If receiving is blocked, you may need to look into legally registering a business in another country or using other payment platforms.
3. Card not accepted
If PayPal rejects your card or says the card is invalid when you’re linking it, use a Visa or MasterCard issued bank that supports international transactions. GTBank, Access Bank, and Zenith Bank cards usually work better with PayPal.
4. Account limitation
If PayPal limits your account because of “unusual activity” or inconsistent details, log into the Resolution Center in PayPal, read the reason for the limitation, and upload required documents (identity, proof of address).
What Are the Security Practices When Using PayPal?
1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Go into PayPal’s security settings and activate 2FA after you finish setting up your account. You can choose to receive security codes via SMS or use an authenticator app (e.g., Google Authenticator). This means that even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without the second factor.
2. Use a strong and unique password
Do not reuse passwords from other sites. Create a strong password (combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) only for PayPal. Use a password manager if necessary, to keep it secure and memorable.
3. Keep your email and phone updated
Your email and phone number are your primary recovery methods if PayPal suspects fraud or needs to verify your identity. If either changes, update it immediately in PayPal settings so you never lose access.
4. Review account activity regularly
Always check your recent transactions and report anything suspicious immediately through PayPal’s Resolution Center. Early detection of fraudulent activity can prevent bigger losses.
5. Limit trusted devices
Use PayPal primarily on devices you trust. When you log in from a new device, PayPal may ask for extra verification. Keep track of authorized devices, and remove any old or unused ones from your PayPal settings.
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 November 25, 2025
