PayPal Is Finally Back in Nigeria – How to Receive International Payments Using Paga (2026 Guide)
Great news for freelancers, remote workers, creators, and online sellers in Nigeria — PayPal is officially back, thanks to a new partnership with Nigerian fintech company Paga.
This new integration finally removes nearly 20 years of PayPal “send-only” restrictions, allowing Nigerians to legally receive international payments directly into a Nigerian wallet and withdraw in naira without complicated workarounds.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you start receiving global payments in Nigeria today.
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What This Means for Nigerians
With the PayPal–Paga integration, Nigerians can now:
- Receive international payments legally
- Accept PayPal payments from over 200 countries
- Withdraw funds directly into Nigerian bank accounts
- Get paid for freelance jobs, remote work, e-commerce, and global services
This change removes the long-standing restriction that allowed Nigerians to only send money but not receive it.
How to Set Up PayPal With Paga (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Create a Paga Account
- Download the Paga app or visit paga.com
- Sign up using your phone number and email
- Complete KYC verification by uploading a valid government-issued ID
- Verify your phone number
Important: KYC verification is required because PayPal funds will flow into your Paga wallet.
Step 2: Create or Log Into Your PayPal Account
- Visit paypal.com
- Sign up or log in using your real name, email, and Nigerian address
- Verify your email and complete any identity checks PayPal requests
Step 3: Link PayPal to Paga
- Open the Paga app
- Go to International Payments → PayPal
- Tap “Link PayPal Account”
- Log into PayPal and authorize Paga
Once linked, any payment sent to your PayPal email will automatically appear in your Paga wallet.
How to Receive Payments in Nigeria Using PayPal
To receive payments:
- Share your PayPal email address with clients or customers worldwide
- Payments sent to PayPal will automatically reflect in your Paga wallet
- Funds may appear instantly or as pending, depending on PayPal processing
How to Withdraw or Spend Your Money in Naira
From your Paga wallet, you can:
- Transfer directly to your Nigerian bank account
- Use Paga virtual or physical cards for online shopping
- Pay bills, buy airtime, or send money to other Paga users
Paga automatically converts your funds to naira at the prevailing exchange rate. Standard PayPal transaction fees still apply.
Important Tips to Avoid Issues
- Ensure your name and email match on both PayPal and Paga accounts
- Expect PayPal fees (about 2.9% + fixed fee per transaction)
- Use real personal details to avoid account limitations
- This integration is fully live — no VPN or workarounds required
This means Nigerians can now confidently accept freelance payments, salary payments, global business revenue, and international transfers.