How to Open a PayPal Account in Nigeria 

PayPal is an online payment method that allows users make international transactions.

If you are a freelancer living in Nigeria or have friends and family abroad, you may have been asked to provide your PayPal details to receive international payments.

While you can open a PayPal account in Nigeria, the process differs slightly from that of other countries and has a few restrictions.

In this guide, we will explain how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria and suggest alternative methods for receiving international payments with ease.

Does PayPal Work in Nigeria?

PayPal is available in Nigeria and has a dedicated website for Nigerian users. Anyone can open a PayPal Nigeria account and access several core functionalities, including online shopping, sending money, and buying Bitcoin.

However, there are some drawbacks. Firstly, you need a domiciliary account or a dollar card to use PayPal in Nigeria. Additionally, you cannot receive international payments with a personal PayPal account. 

These limitations may make PayPal appear redundant since you can already send and receive international payments directly with your domiciliary account or dollar card. 

Despite these drawbacks, opening a PayPal account in Nigeria has its advantages. The PayPal option appears in the checkout process of many e-commerce websites and supports transactions in 25 different currencies.

What do I need to open a PayPal account in Nigeria?

To open a PayPal account in Nigeria, you will need:

• A valid email address

• An active Nigerian phone number

• A dollar card or domiciliary account (in any supported currency).

How to Open a PayPal Account

You can easily create a PayPal account in Nigeria within a few minutes. Here’s how to: 

1. Download the Paypal app or visit the Paypal Nigeria website and sign up.
2. Enter your email address and phone number in the specified fields. 
3. Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your email.
4. Create a secure password by using alphabets, numbers and symbols. 
5. Fill in your nationality, full name, and date of birth on the provided form.
6. Enter your billing address in the relevant field.
7. Link your domiciliary account by adding your card details. (PayPal may deduct a small fee to verify your account. Don’t panic, it will be reversed within a short time.)

Once your account has been verified, you can use your PayPal account to make transactions. 

Can I Open a PayPal Business Account in Nigeria? 

You can open a PayPal business account in Nigeria. A PayPal business account is similar to a personal account but offers added benefits for businesses.

With a business account, you can send and receive payments through your business website. You can also send professional invoices, track payments, and access seller protection.

To open a business account, sign in to PayPal and select the business account option. You will be asked to specify whether you’re a sole proprietor or have a registered business. Then, provide essential details like your business name, registration number, and the type of services you offer.

It’s worth noting that transaction fees for receiving international payments are higher for business accounts compared to personal accounts. 

Using Your PayPal Account

PayPal is a trusted platform that enables you to make fast and secure transactions anywhere in the world. Now that you have created your PayPal account, here’s what you can do with it: 

Send Money

PayPal lets you send money to millions of users worldwide. However, make sure the recipient’s country allows them to receive PayPal transfers. 

To send money, log in to your PayPal account, select “Send Money,” input the recipient’s details, and confirm. The amount will be debited from your linked card.

Buy Bitcoin

While this may be surprising, you can easily buy Bitcoin through PayPal. 

• Login and visit the “Finance” section 
• Select “Crypto” and choose “Bitcoin.” 
• Follow the instructions and pay with the card linked to your PayPal account.

Shop Online

PayPal is accepted on most online shopping platforms. Look for the “Pay with PayPal” option on e-commerce sites like ASOS, SHEIN or Amazon to conveniently pay for your items.

Pay Bills and Subscriptions

You can use your PayPal account to pay your electricity bills or subscriptions. Also, you can easily pay for Apple Music, Spotify, or premium versions of software tools with PayPal. It’s really a payment method that’s everywhere you go. 

Receive Payments

Generally, you can receive payments from anywhere in the world with a PayPal account. However, Nigerian personal account users are restricted from using this service. If you live in Nigeria, you will have to rely on other payment methods to receive money from abroad. 

Nigeria PayPal Account Restrictions

While PayPal is widely adopted and great for making online payments, its services vary from country to country. Here are some account restrictions for PayPal users in Nigeria: 

• You Need a Domiciliary Account: Only individuals with a domiciliary account or dollar card can use PayPal in Nigeria. To open a domiciliary account, visit your bank branch and request an account opening form. 

• Card Issuance Limitations: While PayPal issues Cashback Mastercard and Prepaid Mastercard to individuals in the US, this feature is not available to PayPal users in Nigeria 

• Business Account Limitations: Nigerian business account holders can receive international payments only through their business website and not directly from customers. This can be cumbersome for freelancers or small businesses. 

• Receiving Payments: Nigerian personal account users cannot receive international payments with PayPal. This is particularly challenging for freelancers or remote workers who rely on funds from foreign clients. Luckily, there are alternatives to PayPal that are better suited for receiving international payments. 
  

Receiving International payments with Mular

Mular is a fast and secure platform for receiving international payments, swapping between cryptocurrencies and spending crypto as naira anytime, anywhere. 

Here’s how to receive international payments with Mular:

• Download the Mular app on the App Store or play store and sign up.
• Complete your KYC verification. 
• Log in and select the “Fund” option on your dashboard. 
• Share your wallet address to receive cross-border payments in USDT or four other cryptocurrencies. 

With Mular, you don’t need a domiciliary account or dollar card to receive international payments, and there are no monthly fees. 

Wrapping up

PayPal is a secure online payment platform trusted by millions all over the world. You can open a PayPal account in Nigeria by visiting the website and entering your details. While you can make online payments and buy Bitcoin with a PayPal account, Nigerian users cannot receive international payments. Luckily, PayPal alternatives like Mular enable you to receive international payments and spend directly from your wallet.