PayPal Goes Live in Nigeria for Payments. PayPal has officially gone live in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with Paga, one of the country’s most trusted fintech platforms. The move allows Nigerians to receive international PayPal payments, withdraw funds locally in Naira, and use those funds for everyday spending, all through the Paga digital wallet.
For more than 20 years, Nigerians have used PayPal in limited ways; mostly to send money out, not to fully participate in the global digital economy. That has now changed.
This is a structural shift in how money moves in and out of Africa’s largest economy.
What the PayPal–Paga Partnership Means
At its core, the integration allows users to link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga wallets. Once linked, Nigerians can:
- Receive payments from PayPal-supported countries
- Withdraw funds locally in Naira
- Transfer money to Nigerian bank accounts
- Pay bills and merchants
- Spend via Paga’s Visa card
- Shop with global online merchants
For freelancers, remote workers, creators, SMEs, and online merchants, this removes years of friction. No more third-party workarounds. No more blocked withdrawals. No more expensive, unreliable alternatives. For the first time, global income can flow cleanly into Nigeria’s local financial system.
Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Economy
Nigeria is Africa’s largest digital payments market. According to industry data, the country recorded over 30 million active mobile wallet users in 2024, with transaction values exceeding ₦657 trillion.
Yet despite this scale, access to global payment infrastructure has remained limited.
PayPal’s entry through a local partner that understands regulation, settlement, and consumer behaviour changes the equation.
This partnership does three critical things:
- Connects Nigeria to global commerce
- Empowers SMEs to sell internationally
- Strengthens financial inclusion at scale
Rather than building alone, PayPal chose to work with Paga’s existing infrastructure; its wallet system, settlement rails, and Visa card integrations, ensuring faster adoption and regulatory alignment. Also, they have just taken their bite on Africa’s biggest market like Stripe.
A Win for Freelancers and Small Businesses
Nigeria has one of the world’s largest populations of freelancers and digital entrepreneurs. From software developers to designers, writers, consultants, and e-commerce sellers, millions earn in foreign currencies.
Until now, getting paid through PayPal was often impossible or costly.
With PayPal x Paga:
- Freelancers can receive payments directly
- Businesses can accept international payments confidently
- Merchants can reach PayPal’s 400+ million global users
“This collaboration makes it easier to access and use global funds locally,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga. “It’s simple, secure, and built for our market.”
PayPal echoed the long-term intent.
“We’ve been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President at PayPal Middle East and Africa. “This helps Nigerians earn, spend, and grow responsibly.”
Also read: Paga Group Expands Into the U.S. Market With Digital Banking for Africa’s Diaspora
Why PayPal Chose Paga
Paga is an OG in the game.
With over 21 million users, deep regulatory experience, and a robust API-driven platform, Paga has become a backbone of Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem. It supports consumers, merchants, banks, and enterprises nationwide.
For PayPal, the partnership offers:
- Local settlement reliability
- Regulatory compliance
- Nationwide reach
- Faster time-to-market
For Nigeria, it represents trust meeting infrastructure.
How to Get Started
Using PayPal through Paga is straightforward:
- Log in to the Paga app or website
- Link your PayPal account
- Start receiving international payments
- Spend, transfer, or withdraw locally
No complex setup. No hidden processes.
The Bigger Picture
This move goes beyond payments.
It signals growing global confidence in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, validates local platforms as global partners, and reinforces Africa’s role in the future of digital commerce.
For years, Nigeria has produced talent for the global economy. Now, the financial rails are finally catching up.
PayPal x Paga is live and Nigeria is more open for global business.
