PayPal will now enable Nigerians to obtain funds on its platform by way of a partnership with native fintech agency Paga, marking a serious shift in its long-restricted engagement with the nation.
The event was disclosed by Paga’s founder, Tayo Oviosu, in a LinkedIn submit asserting the long-awaited collaboration.
The partnership comes practically 13 years after Oviosu first reached out to PayPal with a proposal to work collectively, at a time when Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem was nonetheless in its early levels.
For years, Nigerians had been unable to obtain funds by way of PayPal as a consequence of restrictions positioned on accounts within the nation.
Beneath the brand new association, customers can now hyperlink their PayPal accounts to Paga wallets, enabling them to obtain funds straight by way of PayPal, a performance that had beforehand been unavailable.
What the Paypal founder is saying
Whereas asserting the partnership, Oviosu mirrored on his first outreach to PayPal in 2013, when digital funds infrastructure in Nigeria was nonetheless evolving.
He mentioned the concept was pushed by a perception in Nigeria’s long-term financial potential and the function world fee platforms might play in unlocking that progress.
“In August 2013, I emailed the PayPal workforce. Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem was nonetheless younger. Paga was just some years outdated. And the ‘Africa alternative’ wasn’t but a part of most world boardroom conversations,” he mentioned.
- Oviosu added that within the e-mail, he shared a easy perception: that Nigeria would turn out to be one of the crucial essential economies on this planet, and that there was robust alignment between PayPal and Paga to make funds, monetary providers, and world commerce work for Nigerians.
- He mentioned he additionally hooked up a presentation outlining how the two firms may collaborate: Paga might energy on-ramps and off-ramps to and from PayPal in Nigeria.
“It will take greater than a decade for that perception to completely materialize. In the present day, I’m proud to share that PayPal is now reside in Nigeria by way of Paga,” he mentioned.
Oviosu described the announcement as the results of endurance, trust-building, and sustained funding in native infrastructure fairly than a single breakthrough second.
Backstory
PayPal’s relationship with Nigeria has lengthy been outlined by restricted entry and restricted performance for customers.
Round 2004, the corporate positioned Nigerian accounts on a “send-only” standing, permitting customers to make funds overseas however largely stopping them from receiving funds or withdrawing to native bank accounts.
- PayPal cited fraud dangers, regulatory challenges, and compliance considerations as causes for limiting providers in Nigeria and related markets.
- Restricted expansions within the mid-2010s enabled outbound funds by way of choose native banks however didn’t enable inbound flows for people or small companies.
- Freelancers, retailers, and digital staff had been compelled to depend on different platforms and casual workarounds to entry worldwide earnings.
These restrictions successfully excluded Nigerians from totally collaborating within the world digital financial system by way of one of many world’s largest fee platforms for practically twenty years.
Extra insights
The brand new PayPal–Paga integration introduces inbound fee performance that was beforehand unavailable to Nigerian customers.
- Via the partnership, customers can hyperlink their PayPal accounts to Paga wallets, view PayPal balances inside the Paga app, and convert and withdraw funds in Naira.
- Freelancers and gig staff can now obtain worldwide funds straight by way of PayPal.
- Nigerians within the diaspora can ship cash dwelling utilizing PayPal routed by way of Paga.
- Native retailers can settle for PayPal funds from world prospects utilizing Paga because the native settlement layer.
Oviosu famous that the milestone displays years of regulatory engagement and funding in infrastructure that enhances world platforms fairly than competing with them.
What you must know
PayPal’s return to Nigeria was first hinted at in December 2025, when the corporate introduced it was in talks with native fintech corporations to broaden its presence in elements of Africa.
The growth is tied to a broader initiative referred to as PayPal World, which goals to allow cross-border interoperability between PayPal and native digital wallets.
- Many Nigerians reacted on the time by expressing frustration on X over years of restricted entry and misplaced revenue alternatives.
- Some questioned the relevance of PayPal’s return, noting that Nigeria’s fintech market had matured considerably in its absence.
- Others welcomed the transfer, arguing that PayPal’s lengthy absence pushed Nigerians to innovate and construct robust native fee options.
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