Nigerians Can Now Receive PayPal Payments Locally Through Paga Partnership

Nigerian fintech company Paga has partnered with global payments provider PayPal to allow users in Nigeria to receive international PayPal payments directly and withdraw funds locally in naira, marking a major shift in the country’s access to global digital payments.

With the integration now live, Nigerians can link their PayPal accounts to their Paga wallets, enabling them to receive cross-border payments from PayPal-supported markets, shop with international merchants and access their funds seamlessly within Nigeria. The development addresses a long-standing limitation that prevented PayPal users in Nigeria from receiving funds, despite being able to send money and make payments abroad.

Under the new arrangement, PayPal balances can be withdrawn through Paga’s digital wallet and used for everyday financial needs, including transfers to local bank accounts, card spending, bill payments and merchant transactions within the Paga ecosystem. The integration effectively bridges global earnings with local usage, reducing friction for freelancers, online sellers, digital creators and small businesses that earn in foreign currencies.

For Nigerian merchants and entrepreneurs, the partnership provides access to PayPal’s global network of more than 400 million users, enabling local businesses to sell internationally while settling their earnings in naira. Paga said the collaboration is expected to support small business growth and deepen Nigeria’s participation in global digital commerce.

“We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga. “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 and secure.”

PayPal described the partnership as part of its broader strategy to collaborate with local fintech companies across Africa. Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and Regional Head for PayPal Middle East and Africa, said the initiative would support financial inclusion and help more Nigerians participate confidently in the digital economy.

The integration is expected to have a significant impact on freelancers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and digital creators. Freelancers and gig workers can now receive international payments and withdraw them locally in naira, while Nigerian businesses are able to accept PayPal payments from customers around the world. Digital creators and entrepreneurs can also access revenue earned on international platforms without relying on complex or informal workarounds.

Nigeria’s digital payments market has expanded rapidly in recent years, with transaction values reaching ₦657.8 trillion in 2023 and more than 30 million active mobile wallet users, according to industry estimates. With over 21 million users and a growing API infrastructure, Paga is positioning itself as a key local partner for scaling global payment services in the Nigerian market.

The PayPal–Paga integration represents another step in connecting Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy to global payment networks, particularly for individuals and businesses earning income beyond the country’s borders.