PayPal has lifted long-standing restrictions on Nigerian accounts as PayPal now allows Nigerians receive funds via Paga, following a new partnership with the local fintech company.
The development marks a major shift after years in which Nigerians were limited to “send-only” PayPal accounts and unable to receive international payments.
The update was announced by Paga founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tayo Oviosu, in a LinkedIn post, where he disclosed that the partnership came nearly 13 years after his first outreach to PayPal.
According to Oviosu, discussions around the collaboration began as far back as 2013, at a time when Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem was still in its early stages and had yet to gain global attention.
For many years, Nigerians could not receive money through PayPal due to restrictions placed on accounts in the country. However, with the new arrangement, PayPal allows Nigerians receive funds via Paga, giving users access to inbound international payments for the first time.
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Under the integration, users can link their PayPal accounts to their Paga wallets, receive funds directly through PayPal, view balances within the Paga app, convert foreign currency, and withdraw money in naira.
While reflecting on the breakthrough, Oviosu said his initial outreach to PayPal was driven by confidence in Nigeria’s economic potential and the belief that global payment platforms could play a key role in expanding financial access.
“In August 2013, I emailed the PayPal team. Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem was still young. Paga was just a few years old, and the Africa opportunity was not yet part of most global boardroom conversations,” he said.
Oviosu explained that his proposal at the time outlined how PayPal could partner with Paga to enable money to move in and out of Nigeria, with Paga providing the local infrastructure.
“It would take more than a decade for that belief to fully materialise. Today, I’m proud to share that PayPal allows Nigerians receive funds via Paga,” he stated.
For nearly two decades, PayPal’s presence in Nigeria was characterised by heavy restrictions. Nigerian accounts were placed on a send-only status, allowing outbound payments but preventing users from receiving money or withdrawing funds to local bank accounts.
The company cited fraud risks, regulatory challenges, and compliance concerns as reasons for limiting its services in Nigeria and similar markets.
As a result, freelancers, online merchants, and digital workers were forced to rely on alternative payment platforms and informal channels to receive international payments, limiting their participation in the global digital economy.
The new PayPal–Paga partnership changes that narrative, as PayPal allows Nigerians receive funds via Paga, opening inbound payment services to individuals and businesses across the country.
Freelancers can now receive payments from international clients through PayPal, Nigerians in the diaspora can send money home via PayPal using Paga, and local businesses can accept PayPal payments from foreign customers, with Paga handling local settlement.
Oviosu noted that the achievement was the result of long-term engagement with regulators, sustained investment in infrastructure, and collaboration with global platforms rather than competition.
Discussions around PayPal’s renewed presence in Nigeria first gained momentum in December 2025, when the company disclosed talks with local fintech firms as part of its African expansion strategy under the PayPal World initiative.
While reactions from Nigerians were mixed, many welcomed the development, noting that PayPal allowing Nigerians receive funds via Paga represents a major win for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and the broader digital economy.