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PayPal has officially gone live in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with indigenous fintech company Paga, marking the first time Nigerians can seamlessly receive PayPal funds and access them locally in Naira. The development represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s participation in global digital commerce after more than two decades of limited PayPal functionality in the country.
The new integration allows Nigerian users to link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga digital wallets, enabling cross-border payments from PayPal-supported markets worldwide.
Ejes Gist News reports that funds received through PayPal can now be withdrawn in Naira, used for local bank transfers, bill payments, online purchases, or spent via Paga’s Visa card, effectively connecting international earnings to Nigeria’s domestic payment ecosystem.
How the PayPal–Paga Integration Works
Under the arrangement, PayPal users in Nigeria can receive international payments directly into their Paga wallets once their accounts are linked. The process involves logging into the Paga app or website, connecting an existing PayPal account, and authorising transactions between both platforms.
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Key functionalities available to users include:
- Receiving international PayPal payments in Nigeria.
- Withdrawing funds locally in Naira.
- Transferring money to Nigerian bank accounts.
- Paying utility bills and merchants within Nigeria.
- Spending globally and locally using Paga’s Visa card.
What This Means for Freelancers and Small Businesses
The launch addresses a long-standing challenge faced by Nigerian freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, and online merchants who previously relied on third-party workarounds or foreign intermediaries to access PayPal funds. With the new setup, Nigerian service providers can now receive payments directly from international clients without routing funds through offshore accounts.
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For small and medium-sized enterprises, the partnership provides access to PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users, enabling Nigerian merchants to sell goods and services internationally while settling earnings locally in Naira.
Industry Reactions and Official Statements
Commenting on the integration, Paga founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Tayo Oviosu, said the collaboration was designed to simplify how Nigerians earn and spend globally while operating within the local financial system.
PayPal’s Senior Vice President and Regional Head for the Middle East and Africa, Otto Williams, stated that the company intentionally partnered with a local fintech to expand financial inclusion and strengthen the payments ecosystem in Nigeria by enabling broader participation in the digital economy.
Nigeria’s Digital Payments Context
Nigeria’s digital payments sector has expanded rapidly in recent years. A 2024 report by Novatia Consulting estimated transaction values at ₦657.8 trillion in 2023, with more than 30 million active mobile wallet users nationwide. Paga, with over 21 million users and an established local settlement infrastructure, provides the scale required to support PayPal’s services across the country.
The partnership aligns with broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s financial infrastructure, deepen cross-border commerce, and integrate local fintech platforms with global payment networks.
Who Can Use the Service
The PayPal–Paga service is available to individuals, freelancers, online merchants, and businesses operating in Nigeria. Users must hold active PayPal and Paga accounts to access the integration and comply with applicable regulatory and verification requirements on both platforms.
By enabling PayPal withdrawals and spending in Naira, the partnership removes a major barrier to international payments and positions Nigeria more firmly within the global digital economy.
