PayPal has officially gone live in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with local fintech firm Paga, after nearly 20 years of restricted service.
The new service allows Nigerians to link their PayPal accounts directly to Paga’s wallet infrastructure, opening access to incoming payments from over 200 countries. Once funds land, users can seamlessly convert them to naira, transfer to bank accounts, or apply them to everyday spending ranging from utility bills to in-store and online purchases within Paga’s payment network.
This rollout comes at a time when Nigeria’s electronic payments sector has reached significant scale. Digital transactions now total hundreds of trillions of naira each year with Paga supporting more than 21 million users with a technology backbone built around high-capacity APIs designed for merchant payments, large transaction volumes, and integrations with international platforms.
Speaking on the launch, Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga, said, “We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria. Whether you’re 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.”
For businesses, the partnership changes the scope of what is possible beyond Nigeria’s borders. Merchants can now tap into PayPal’s global base of over 400 million users, accept payments from customers across multiple regions, and price goods or services in up to 25 currencies. Proceeds are settled locally through Paga, giving merchants flexibility to move funds to bank accounts, spend via cards, or reinvest directly within Paga’s ecosystem. The integration also enables Nigerians to receive payments from Venmo users in the United States, further expanding inbound payment options.
The launch effectively reverses a restriction that has shaped Nigeria’s digital commerce for more than 20 years. Since 2004, Nigerians were unable to receive PayPal payments after the company limited inbound transactions due to fraud-related concerns. In response, local fintech companies developed alternative cross-border payment rails to serve freelancers, exporters, and online businesses. Those solutions evolved alongside explosive growth in domestic digital payments. Transaction values climbed to ₦1.07 quadrillion in 2024 and remained elevated into 2025, with ₦284.99 trillion recorded in the first quarter alone.
Accessing the new service requires minimal setup. Users can log into the Paga mobile app or website, link an existing PayPal account, and begin receiving international payments. Once credited, funds can be used to cover everything from bank transfers and bill payments to online shopping, bridging global income with local financial activity in Nigeria.
“PayPal described the partnership as part of a broader strategy to deepen its engagement with local fintech players across emerging markets. “We’ve been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga and developing solutions that help Nigerians earn, spend, and grow,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head, and General Manager of PayPal Middle East and Africa. “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.”
