Can I use PayPal in Nigeria?

Planning a trip to Nigeria, or thinking of moving there for work, study or to visit family? You might want to check whether your UK accounts will still work there.

One account that could be useful is PayPal (PYPL), especially if you want to pay for things online or send money. But does it work in Nigeria?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about using PayPal in Nigeria, including any potential fees.

We’ll also show you an alternative - the Wise account, which lets you send, spend and convert and hold Nigerian Naira (NGN) along with 40+ currencies.

Check out the Wise account 💸

Does PayPal work in Nigeria?

The great news is that PayPal does operate in Nigeria, and even has a dedicated website for its customers there.

However, it looks like the online payment specialist only has accounts available for personal customers. You can’t open one for a business, and this is likely because it’s may not be possible to accept PayPal payments in Nigeria.¹

This is the case in certain countries, where accounts only have send capabilities due to laws or complexities in that particular destination.

Can I open a PayPal account in Nigeria?

Yes, you can open a new PayPal account if you’re living in Nigeria. You’ll just need to provide some basic details such as your name, address and contact details. To send money or use PayPal to pay for something, you’ll also need to add a payment method like a debit or credit card, or a bank account.

Features of PayPal accounts in Nigeria

So, what can you do with your PayPal account in Nigeria? Here are a few of the features:

• Shop online at websites which accept PayPal at checkout
• Buy items on sites like eBay
• Send money to friends and family (you’ll need to check whether it’s possible for your recipient to receive money via PayPal in their country).

Can I use my UK PayPal account in Nigeria?

Unfortunately, you can’t carry on using your UK PayPal account if you move to Nigeria. You’ll need to close it and open a new one once you arrive, using your new Nigerian residential address.²

Fees for using PayPal in Nigeria

Here are the main fees you need to know about when using PayPal in Nigeria:³

Type	Fee
Opening a PayPal account	Free
Sending money to friends and family	- Free with a bank account or PayPal balance (where no currency conversion is involved) - 3.4% + fixed fee with a card
Sending money internationally	At least $4.99 USD (or currency equivalent) depending on funding method
Paying for an online purchase	Free where no currency conversion is involved
Currency conversion fee	4%
Withdrawing money from a PayPal account to a bank account	Free where no currency conversion is involved

Manage your money in NGN and 40+ currencies with Wise

PayPal isn’t the only solution for sending, spending and managing your money in Nigeria. If you like the sound of a powerful multi-currency online account and a card that works in 150+ countries, check out Wise.

Open a Wise account online and you can send money to and from Nigeria for low fees and mid-market exchange rates.

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7. This clever card automatically converts currency whenever you spend, so you don’t need to worry about preloading your account or converting cash. There’s only a small conversion fee to pay. And it works online as well as in real-world shops and restaurants.

And if you need cash, your Wise card has you covered. You can withdraw up to £200 a month in 2 transactions from Nigerian ATMs for free (although double-check that the ATM operator doesn’t charge its own fee).

Discover the Wise card today 💳

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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Sources used:

1. PayPal - Why does my PayPal account have only send capabilities?
2. PayPal - Can I change the address on my PayPal account to another country?
3. PayPal - Consumer Fees

Sources last checked on date: 16-Jul-2024