You know, in Nigeria in 2025, dealing with cross-border payments can be quite tricky. If you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, a student, or anyone who purchases online from all over the world, having access to online money transfer is necessary. PayPal is the perfect option there.
The catch is, signing up for a PayPal account in Nigeria is more complicated than pushing a few buttons. Many Nigerians have trouble when registering, choose an outdated setup, or are unable to receive all the payment options. That’s why we have created this guide.
Expect to receive an accurate, no-frills guide to what is working now, not back in the old days. Setting up a PayPal account for personal, business, or freelance work is simple, and this guide will help.
Let’s begin.
How to Use PayPal in Nigeria: What Is and Is Not Allowed
First, it’s important to understand what you are signing up for with a PayPal account.
PayPal accepts Nigerians, but only under certain circumstances. People in Nigeria can only use a PayPal account to send funds and make online payments. You won’t get paid unless you follow the specified workaround.
With a Nigerian PayPal account, you can do the following:
– Purchase goods and services on the internet.
– Add a Nigerian debit or credit card.
– You can also buy directly from foreign websites like Amazon, AliExpress, eBay, and so on.
– Use platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, or Canva.
Therefore, the Nigerian account won’t assist you if you utilize PayPal to be paid for your business or as a freelancer.
Fortunately, we will provide a legal solution to achieve what you want.
How Nigerians Can Open PayPal Accounts
You will find out how to create a PayPal account in Nigeria in this section. I’ll provide the formal procedure as well as a potential workaround.
Step 1: Decide on the Account’s Goal
You should ask yourself, Do I want to send or receive money online?
It is quite OK to use a Nigerian PayPal if you just wish to make purchases online. If you want to get paid, you must have a PayPal account in a nation such as the UK, UAE, or Lesotho. Nigeria is going to be our first nation. In Nigeria, you may open a PayPal account.
1. Go to the PayPal website.
The URL is [https://www.paypal.com/ng]. PayPal’s Nigerian version may be accessed by clicking this link.
2. Select “Sign Up” as the option.
For online-only shopping, choose “Personal Account.” If you are a business, create a “Business Account.”
3. Submit Your Information
What you’ll need: – A functional email account. — Your passport’s complete name as it appears. — A secure passcode — Your phone number in Nigeria —Using the information on your NIN, enter your residential address.
4. Make a credit or debit card connection.
Your card information must be entered into PayPal. It must be a Nigerian Visa or MasterCard that you are using. In Nigeria, some of the greatest cards that you may connect to PayPal are
The GTBank Mastercard
A Bank of Zenith Visa card.
Mastercard or Visa from Access Bank.
Africard Prepaid Card by UBA
Before using your card, PayPal deducts a minor amount (this is usually $1.95) just to confirm your card’s details. You will get a refund after verification is cleared.
The bank will attach a code of four digits to your account details. Please enter that code to complete your card.
5. Your account has been set up.
You are now able to purchase items from websites by using PayPal.
Note: You still cannot participate in money transfers with this account.
How to Set Up a PayPal Account That Can Be Used to Receive Payments
Here’s one way to avoid this issue. The process is legal, and many freelance workers and companies in Nigeria rely on it.
1. Make your choice among the supported countries.
Choose a nation where PayPal enables people to send and receive payments. Many people opt for
– Lesotho
– UAE
– UK
– Southern Africa
– Kenya
We’re using Lesotho here as an example because it fits nicely.
2. Consider connecting to a VPN (recommended).
Use a VPN to hide your Nigerian IP when creating a new account. Nonetheless, numerous individuals have signed up for this profile without using this feature.
3. Go to the PayPal website for your country.
To register, click the button labeled “Sign Up” and pick a business account.
4. Enter the real Nigerian details you use.
Write your real name, email, and Nigerian phone number. You may want to name your business after yourself or pick a different business name.
5. Add a Foreign Address to Your Profile
You can use an online address generator to get a foreign address. It is fine.
6. Link an account for making payments.
To receive your money, connect a Payoneer account or virtual bank account from the following providers:
Grey previously was called AbokiFX.
– Geegpay
The Chipper Cash Virtual Account (USD).
A domiciliary account can be connected through UBA, GTBank, or Zenith.
When you link your accounts, you will be able to withdraw PayPal funds immediately.
Step 4: Tips to Keep Your Account Safe
– Be sure not to log in from too many gadgets at once.
– Do not rely on VPN for logging in too frequently.
– Always rely on true and proven information.
– Please avoid making multiple accounts for the same purpose.
Why do most Nigerians make mistakes with this?
Some Nigerians think that if they get a PayPal account in Nigeria, they will automatically start being paid. This is not true. If you provide incorrect details, it may prompt PayPal to block your transaction.
Here’s how you should handle this situation:
– Give accurate details.
– Always use true and tested techniques (such as the Lesotho or UAE solutions).
– Store your login information and IP addresses for security.
– Keep your personal and business activities separate.
Conclusion
That’s how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria, and you know the correct way to do it. If you’re freelancing with international clients or buying things on the internet, you have the tools for both.
Don’t wait. Because the digital economy is advancing, those who are quick to adapt will gain the most. Don’t wait, set up your PayPal now and start laying the groundwork for your future finances.
