PayPal has reopened its doors to Nigeria. This time, it is not through a grand launch. Instead, it has returned through a partnership with local fintech firm Paga. The move now allows Nigerians to receive payments for the first time in years.
The update marks a shift in PayPal’s long-restricted relationship with Africa’s largest economy. Until now, Nigerian PayPal accounts could send money but could not receive it. That limitation pushed freelancers, businesses and creators towards alternative platforms. However, the new PayPal Nigeria partnership with Paga changes that reality.
Paga’s founder, Tayo Oviosu, disclosed the collaboration in a LinkedIn post. He revealed that the agreement comes nearly 13 years after his first outreach to PayPal. Back then, Nigeria’s fintech scene was still in its infancy. Paga itself was only a few years old.
Now, with the PayPal Nigeria partnership active, users can link PayPal accounts to Paga wallets. This link enables direct receipt of funds through PayPal. It is a function Nigerians have long requested. It also opens new paths for cross-border payments into the country.
A 13-Year Wait Finally Pays Off
Oviosu reflected on his first message to PayPal in 2013. At the time, global boardrooms barely discussed Africa’s fintech potential. Yet he believed Nigeria would become a major economic force.“In August 2013, I emailed the PayPal team. Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem was still young. Paga was just a few years old. And the ‘Africa opportunity’ wasn’t yet part of most global boardroom conversations,” he said.
He explained that the email shared a simple vision. Nigeria’s economy would grow. Global payment platforms would need local partners. Paga could serve as the bridge for PayPal’s entry.
He also said the proposal outlined how Paga could support PayPal’s on-ramps and off-ramps in Nigeria.“It would take more than a decade for that belief to fully materialise. Today, I’m proud to share that PayPal is now live in Nigeria through Paga,” Oviosu added.
He described the deal as the product of patience and long-term infrastructure investment. It was not a sudden breakthrough. Instead, it came from years of trust-building between both firms.
Why the PayPal Nigeria Partnership Matters
The PayPal Nigeria partnership arrives at a crucial moment. Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly. More freelancers now work with international clients. More small businesses sell across borders. Yet payment barriers have remained a key challenge.
By allowing Nigerians to receive payments through Paga wallets, the partnership removes a major friction point. It also signals PayPal’s renewed confidence in Nigeria’s fintech market. For users, it means fewer workarounds. For businesses, it means easier access to global customers.
For now, the PayPal Nigeria partnership focuses on enabling inbound payments. The partnership could also strengthen Paga’s position as a key payment gateway in the region.Meanwhile, Nigerian users finally gain access to a tool that had remained out of reach for years. It is a small technical change with a large symbolic meaning. PayPal is back. And this time, Nigeria is ready.
I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
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