Integration allows Nigerians to receive international PayPal and Venmo funds directly into local wallets, boosting digital commerce, freelancing, and online business growth.
PayPal has officially launched its services in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with local fintech company Paga, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital payments ecosystem after nearly 20 years of restricted access to the global payments platform.
The collaboration enables Nigerian users to link their PayPal accounts directly to Paga’s wallet infrastructure, allowing them to receive payments from more than 200 countries worldwide. Once funds are received, users can convert them instantly into naira, transfer them to local bank accounts, pay utility bills, make in-store and online purchases, or move money within Paga’s extensive merchant and agent network.
For years, Nigerians were unable to receive inbound PayPal payments due to restrictions introduced in 2004 following fraud-related concerns. This limitation forced freelancers, exporters, content creators, and online merchants to rely on alternative cross-border payment solutions developed by local fintechs. The new PayPal-Paga integration effectively reverses that long-standing barrier, reconnecting Nigeria directly to one of the world’s largest digital payment platforms.
Paga, which serves more than 21 million users, brings a robust infrastructure built around high-capacity APIs, bank integrations, and a nationwide agent network. Through this partnership, Nigerian businesses can now access PayPal’s global customer base of over 400 million active users, accept payments in up to 25 currencies, and settle proceeds locally in naira. The system also supports inbound transfers from Venmo users in the United States, further expanding international payment options.
Speaking on the launch, Paga Founder and Group CEO Tayo Oviosu said the partnership would significantly improve how Nigerians participate in the global digital economy. He noted that freelancers, online sellers, and international service providers can now receive foreign earnings more easily and deploy them instantly for local use, savings, or reinvestment.
The timing of the launch coincides with explosive growth in Nigeria’s electronic payments sector. Digital transaction values surpassed ₦1 quadrillion in 2024 and remained elevated into 2025, underlining the country’s role as one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic fintech markets. By integrating with Paga, PayPal gains access to a mature local payments ecosystem while offering Nigerians seamless connectivity to international markets.
From PayPal’s perspective, the move reflects a broader strategy to deepen its footprint in emerging economies through partnerships with established local platforms. Company executives described the collaboration as a way to support financial inclusion, enable cross-border trade, and empower small businesses and individuals to earn globally while spending and investing locally.
Users can activate the service by logging into the Paga mobile app or website, linking an existing PayPal account, and immediately beginning to receive international payments. The integration is expected to significantly reduce friction for Nigeria’s growing community of digital workers, exporters, and online entrepreneurs, strengthening the country’s position in the global digital economy.
