This article describes how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria and it can be one of the payment gateways in Nigeria
PayPal is the world’s number one online money transfer platform and is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide to send and receive money.
Also, PayPal doesn’t share your full financial information with sellers. And PayPal Buyer Protection covers your eligible purchases if they don’t show up or match their description.
For years, PayPal had basically shut Nigeria out due to our notoriety for internet-related fraud. As fraud detection techniques improved as well as Nigeria’s notion as the largest economy in Africa, PayPal has now lifted restrictions on Nigeria. Owning a PayPal account is quite simple and you can do that in two ways.
Requirements for Opening a PayPal Account in Nigeria
1. Firstly, you will need a valid email address
2. Secondly, you would also need a Visa or MasterCard linked to a Nigerian bank account. This could be a credit or debit card. This is necessary for verifying your PayPal account. The service would debit a tiny amount from the card and once you confirm the transaction, the account would be fully Verified.
3. Finally, please note that as of December 2018, Interswitch’s Verve card does not work with the service.
PayPal Website
1. First thing you do is to go to www.paypal.com/ng
2. Then click on signup
3. Fill in your email address (doesn’t have to be Gmail or Yahoo. It could be [email protected])
4. Afterwards, type in your password and make sure it is one you can remember
5. Go to the next page and type other details such as names, date of birth, address and phone number.
6. Also when filling in your address make sure that it matches the same address details you filled when you opened a bank account
7. It takes you to a page where you fill in your debit card details
8. Punch in your card nos, expiry date and the last 3 digits behind your debit card.
9. Then go to your email account and click on verify
10. Voila!! Your account is setup
11. Finally, test it by sending $10 to anyone or to your PayPal account abroad (if you have one)
12. You get debited in Naira and you should get an alert from your local bank
Using a Wallet
First Bank offers this option through their exclusive deal with PayPal. How does this work?
1. Firstly, log in to your internet banking account using your password and token
2. Then choose the “PayPal wallet” in the main tab and click “Create PayPal Wallet” on the drop-down menu
3. Afterwards, select which cards you wish to link to your PayPal account and which card will be the default card. Try using one card for easy reconciliation
4. Press the button on your online token and confirm accordingly
5. Create a password in the pop-up window that appears
6. Click on “Agree and create account”.
7. Finally, go to your registered email account with the bank which confirms that you have created a PayPal account
It is important to note that at the moment, you cannot receive payment from a Nigerian PayPal account, but there is a quick method I can show you
How to Recieve PayPal payment from Nigeria
Firstly, Visit the most feasible country PayPal you want yours to be domiciled.
For South Africa, it’s www.paypal.co.za,
For US, it’s www.paypal.com/us,
For Lesotho, it’s www.paypal.com/ls,
and more… depending on your choice.
Secondly, Sign up to the business option, and fill in your business and personal details. For the business details, please choose INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS. Then you will be required to put in your legal ID like NIN or Passport number.
You should use your personal details as they appear in your bank. Fill in your personal details, verify and move to the next page.
If you don’t know anyone in the country you want your account domiciled, you should go to yellow pages of that country to get pseudo credentials, while you use it alongside your real credentials in the personal details area.
Thirdly, Verify your email and lift your PayPal limit with a credit card.
You can get a working card at UBA or the Wema by Alat card, they work very well till date. Use it to verify your PayPal and lift the limit
Finally, Test your account by sending some funds to activate the account. You can get PayPal funds from freelancers and your account is set.
Please view other alternatives if you will like to international receive payments
You need to know these alternative online payment services that would let you receive your funds in Nigeria:
Western Union
Payoneer
Cheque Bank
Wire Transfer
Money Transfer
2Checkout
Skrill
Do you have any questions on how to open a PayPal account? Let’s us know in the comments section.