You’re a freelancer, a digital nomad, a digital creator, or a business owner in Nigeria. PayPal is one of the ways to receive payments globally; however, its functionality comes with significant limitations.
PayPal accounts in Nigeria are linked to third-party apps (or a partner). This means users cannot create a PayPal account directly, but must do so through a third-party platform like Paga, which creates walk-around challenges for freelancers, online sellers, remote workers, and businesses that rely on international payments.
Because of this restriction, PayPal only allows personal accounts in Nigeria. Business accounts are unavailable, largely because accepting PayPal payments locally is not supported due to regulatory and operational complexities.
Features of PayPal Accounts in Nigeria
With a Nigerian PayPal account, you can:
- Shop online on websites that accept PayPal
- Buy items on platforms like eBay
- Send money to friends and family (depending on whether the recipient’s country allows receiving payments)
What Are The Fees and Charges for Using PayPal in Nigeria?
Integrating your PayPal account in Nigeria is free; users may encounter several fees when using the service.
Linking a PayPal account to a third-party app
Free
Sending money to friends and family
Free when using a PayPal balance or bank account (no currency conversion)
Sending money internationally
At least $4.99 USD (or currency equivalent), depending on the funding method
Paying for online purchases
Free when no currency conversion is involved
Currency conversion
4% conversion fee applies
Withdrawing funds to a bank account
Free when no currency conversion is involved. The withdrawal process may be difficult
Is PayPal the Best Option in Nigeria?
Despite being available, PayPal may not be the best option for Nigerian users, especially those who need smooth international payments.
To receive payments through PayPal, Nigerians often need to open accounts in another app (a PayPal partner). This approach is complicated, risky, and inaccessible for most users.
Alternatives to PayPal in Nigeria
Given PayPal’s limitations, many Nigerians turn to alternative platforms that better support international payments.
Popular options include:
1. Accrue
Accrue is a cross-border payment platform built specifically for freelancers, remote workers, business owners, and digital nomads across Africa. It allows users to receive international payments easily through a virtual USD bank account, making it simple to get paid by global employers and freelance platforms without complex workarounds.
You can open an Accrue virtual dollar account in under five minutes and start receiving payments almost immediately. Accrue also offers a Virtual Dollar Card that works seamlessly for Apple subscriptions, online shopping on platforms like Shein and AliExpress, and other international services, without card declines or foreign exchange restrictions.
One of Accrue’s biggest advantages is its transparent and affordable pricing. For withdrawals of $200 and above, Accrue charges a flat $2 fee when transferring funds to local bank accounts or mobile money wallets.
2. Raenest
Raenest is a digital banking platform that helps Africans receive and manage international payments. It offers virtual foreign accounts and tools designed for freelancers and remote workers who earn in foreign currencies and want easier access to their funds locally.
3. Grey
Grey provides users with virtual foreign accounts that make it easier to receive payments from abroad. It is commonly used by freelancers and remote professionals who need a simple way to get paid in USD, GBP, or EUR and withdraw to local bank accounts.
4. Chipper Cash
Chipper Cash is a financial platform that enables cross-border transfers and digital payments. It is popular for peer-to-peer transfers and supports international money movement, though its features may vary by country.
5. Wise
Wise is a global money transfer platform that offers multi-currency accounts and international transfers at competitive exchange rates. It is widely used for sending, spending, and managing money across borders, but some features may be limited depending on location.
Why Accrue Is the Best PayPal Alternative in Nigeria?
Accrue stands out as the best alternative to PayPal in Nigeria, especially for individuals and businesses that need to receive money from abroad.
Unlike PayPal Nigeria accounts, Accrue allows users to receive international payments seamlessly without complicated workarounds through their Dollar Bank Account, shop with their Dollar Virtual Card on their favourite platforms, and send money across Africa and the US.
Key Benefits of Accrue
- Receive dollar payments easily from global clients, employers, and platforms
- Lower and more transparent fees compared to PayPal’s high transaction and currency conversion charges
- No need for foreign business registration or offshore bank accounts
- Fast withdrawals to Nigerian bank accounts
- Built specifically for African users, ensuring better reliability and compliance
For freelancers, remote workers, creators, and businesses, Accrue removes the barriers that PayPal places on receiving money in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions About PayPal in Nigeria
Can I receive payments directly with PayPal in Nigeria?
No. Nigerians can only receive PayPal payments in a linked third-party account.
What are the fees for using PayPal in Nigeria?
Fees include transaction fees, international transfer fees, currency conversion fees (around 4%), and potential withdrawal-related costs.
Is it possible to withdraw PayPal funds to a Nigerian bank account?
Yes, but withdrawals can be difficult and may involve fees depending on currency conversion.
What can I use instead of PayPal in Nigeria?
Accrue is the best alternative, offering the ability to receive international payments, manage foreign currencies, and withdraw directly to Nigerian banks without complex setups.
Manage Your Dollar Payments the Easy Way With Accrue
For African freelancers and remote professionals working with international clients, choosing the right payment platform is critical, and while PayPal is available in Nigeria, its limitations, especially the inability to receive payments directly unless through a third party, make it inefficient for earning in dollars.
Accrue offers a better alternative. Unlike PayPal, Accrue is built to support receiving and managing dollar payments without restrictions. It provides transparent fees, competitive exchange rates, fast withdrawals, and reliable access to dollars through a virtual dollar bank account.
Accrue is fast, secure, fully dollar-based, and purpose-built for Africa’s growing digital workforce, eliminating the workarounds, high fees, and payment rejections commonly associated with PayPal.
Create your Accrue Dollar Bank Account today and enjoy seamless, stress-free international payments from clients around the world.
I’ve lived many lives, but one lesson ties them all together: money is only as powerful as its utility. Through my work, I share stories about money and create guides for Africans who want to get the best out of theirs.