PayPal has made a major return to the Nigerian market. This comes nearly two decades after it limited its services for users in the country. The return is through a new partnership with Paga, a leading Nigerian fintech platform that serves millions of wallets and businesses.
What the Partnership Means
Under the new deal, Nigerians can now:
-
Link their PayPal accounts to their Paga wallets.
-
Receive international payments from more than 200 countries.
-
Withdraw funds in Naira without complex workarounds.
-
Keep PayPal balances in dollars for global use.
This marks the first time Nigerians can receive funds directly through PayPal since restrictions began in about 2004.
Why It Matters
Before this deal, PayPal users in Nigeria could mostly send money out but not receive it. This limited freelancers, small online sellers, and people who depend on global clients. Many had to use unofficial channels or intermediaries to get paid.
The partnership removes that hurdle. Nigerians can now earn, shop, and operate globally with real PayPal payment flows.
How It Works
The integration links PayPal’s global network (hundreds of millions of users worldwide) with Paga’s local platform. Users must have a Paga account to connect with PayPal. Once linked, they can receive payments from abroad and choose to withdraw in Naira or keep funds for global spending.
For merchants, this opens access to international buyers. PayPal payments can be settled locally through Paga, helping small businesses grow online.
What Comes Next
The partnership is part of a larger push by PayPal to expand in Africa and emerging markets. It follows broader investments and collaborations with local fintechs. Analysts see this as a new chapter for PayPal in regions where digital payments are growing fast.
Nigeria’s digital economy, already large and rapidly growing, may see increased foreign earnings flowing into formal banking systems thanks to this change.
