PayPal goes live in Nigeria to boost international naira payment

PayPal has officially gone live in Nigeria through a groundbreaking partnership with local fintech leader Paga, enabling millions of users to seamlessly receive international payments and access their funds in Naira for the first time in over two decades.

The new integration allows Nigerian users to link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga digital wallets, facilitating cross-border receipts from PayPal-supported markets worldwide. Recipients can now withdraw these global earnings locally in Naira, shop with international PayPal merchants, or utilize the funds for everyday needs such as bill payments, bank transfers, or spending via Paga’s integrated Visa card, creating a true bridge between worldwide income and Nigeria’s domestic economy.

This development marks a major milestone for freelancers, online entrepreneurs, and small businesses that have long relied on workarounds to handle PayPal transactions, while empowering merchants to tap into PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users and expand their reach internationally.

The announcement, made today by Paga and PayPal, underscores a shared commitment to enhancing financial inclusion and cross-border commerce in one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital payments markets.

For Nigerian merchants and small businesses, the partnership opens doors to PayPal’s vast network of over 400 million users globally, facilitating international sales and business expansion.

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“We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria. Whether you are a freelancer receiving international payments, a business selling online, or a consumer shopping globally, this collaboration makes it easier to access and use global funds locally, in a way that’s simple, secure, and built for our markets,” said Tayo Oviosu, founder and group CEO of Paga.

Otto Williams, senior vice president, regional head and general manager of PayPal Middle East and Africa, added, “We have been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga and developing solutions that help Nigerians earn, spend, and grow. This collaboration helps strengthen the broader payments ecosystem by supporting local innovation, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling more consumers and businesses to participate confidently in the digital economy.”

Nigeria’s digital payments landscape is experiencing rapid growth, with transaction values hitting N657.8 trillion in 2023 and over 30 million active mobile wallet users, according to a 2024 Novatia Consulting report. With more than 21 million users and robust API infrastructure, Paga is well-positioned to scale PayPal’s services nationwide through its trusted local settlement network and digital wallet ecosystem.

To access PayPal services via Paga, users simply log into the Paga app or website, link their PayPal account, and begin receiving international payments directly into their Paga wallet. Funds can then be used for local transfers, bill payments, online shopping, or withdrawals.

This partnership marks a key step in strengthening Nigeria’s financial infrastructure, promoting cross-border commerce, and empowering small businesses and individuals in the digital economy.

Royal Ibeh is a senior journalist with years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s technology and health sectors. She currently covers the Technology and Health beats for BusinessDay newspaper, where she writes in-depth stories on digital innovation, telecom infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health policies.

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