If you are a Nigerian looking to start an online business or engage in e-commerce activities, you may be wondering how to set up a Paypal account.
Paypal is a popular online payment system used by millions of people around the world to send and receive money securely and effortlessly. Unfortunately, Nigeria was among the few countries restricted from using Paypal for many years.
However, the good news is that with this strategy, Nigerians can now create a verified Paypal account with full access to make transactions with ease.
In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a verified Paypal account in Nigeria.
What is Paypal?
PayPal is a service that facilitates online money transfers between individuals and businesses. To use PayPal, users must first create an account and link it to their bank account, credit card, or debit card.
Once the account is verified, users can send and receive payments either online or in person, with PayPal acting as a go-between.
Many merchants, both online and in physical stores, accept PayPal payments, and PayPal also provides credit and debit cards with its branding.
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Type of Paypal account
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of how to open a PayPal account in Nigeria, it’s essential to know that there are two types of accounts you can create with PayPal: Business and Personal.
Personal Account: This account is suitable for individuals who want to buy items online and receive money from family and friends. If you are a freelancer, a small business owner, or you sell items on eBay or other e-commerce platforms, a Personal account is all you need.
To open a Personal PayPal account, you need to provide your name, email address, and a valid Nigerian debit card or credit card. Once you sign up, you will need to verify your account to lift some restrictions and enjoy full access to PayPal’s features. Verification requires a valid ID card, passport, or driver’s license.
Business Account: If you run a small or large business and want to receive payments online from customers worldwide, a Business account is the right choice for you. Business accounts come with additional features and tools that allow you to manage your sales and transactions efficiently.
Opening a Business account with PayPal requires you to provide more detailed information about your business, such as your business name, address, and type. You will also need to upload documents like your business registration certificate, tax identification number, and proof of address.
While there are no startup costs, termination fees, or monthly maintenance fees for the standard version of these accounts, there are transaction fees. PayPal charges a fee for receiving payments, which varies depending on the type of account you have and the amount of the transaction.
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Requirements For Creating a Paypal Account in Nigeria
Firstly: To open a PayPal account in Nigeria, there are some basic requirements that you need to fulfill. First and foremost, you need to provide your legal name as it appears on your birth certificate and other documents.
This name should match the name on the debit or credit card that you will use to make transactions.
Secondly: you need a working mobile phone or PC with a good internet connection. This will enable you to access PayPal’s website and create an account. You will also need an email address that is not linked to any other PayPal account.
This email will serve as your primary means of communication with PayPal.
Thirdly: you need to provide a working phone number that is tied to your country of residence. This will be used to verify your account and authenticate transactions. You also need to create a strong password to protect your account from unauthorized access.
Fourthly: you need a debit or credit card that is not linked to any other PayPal account. Note that only Visa and MasterCard are accepted, Verve is not accepted. You also need to provide your address/location, which should match the address on your debit or credit card.
Fifthly: You need a valid means of identification such as a passport, national identification card, driver’s license, or permanent voter card. This will help PayPal to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Lastly: if you are opening a business account, you need to provide your business name, information, documents, and address. Note that only truthful and accurate information should be provided, or else you will lose your account, no matter how much you have in it.
In summary, opening a PayPal account in Nigeria requires you to provide accurate personal and financial information.
It is important to ensure that you meet all the requirements and comply with PayPal’s terms and conditions to avoid losing your account.
How to Create Your Paypal Account
To get started with creating your own PayPal account in Nigeria, it is important to know that getting verified on PayPal provides more security and increases your transaction limits.
However, due to the PayPal limitation, it has been challenging for Nigerians to fully participate in the global economy. But there is a way to work around it!
First of all, it is important to note that only a few countries have full access to PayPal and they include
Lesotho – (Paypal.com/ls)
Kenya – (paypal.com/ke)
South Africa – (PayPal.com/za)
Mozambique – (Paypal.com/mz)
UAE – (Paypal.com/ae)
United Kingdom – (paypal.com/uk)
USA – (Paypal.com/us) and
Iceland – (Paypal.com/is)
The registration process for creating a PayPal account in each of these countries is the same.
One recommended way to create a PayPal account in Nigeria is by using the UAE PayPal gateway (Paypal.com/ae). This method has been tested and proven to work for many Nigerians.
Remember, when using PayPal, it is important to keep in mind some important information.
First, always ensure that the email address linked to your PayPal account is correct.
Secondly, avoid sending payments to unverified PayPal accounts to prevent fraud.
Finally, ensure that you regularly review your transaction history to track your PayPal activities.
By following these simple steps and tips, you can create your own PayPal account and participate in the global economy with ease. Don’t let the PayPal limitation hold you back – take the leap today!
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A Step-by-step Process For Creating a PayPal Account in Nigeria
To get started you don’t need to use a VPN, just visit PayPal.com/ae using your web browser, either Opera Mini or Chrome, etc.
Once the page is done loading, locate the site menu at the top right corner of the page and select the “Sign Up” option to create your account.
1. Click on sign up and select a business account as shown in the image below.
2. You will be prompted to enter your email address.
Note: choose an email address you have access to and make sure you have never used the email to register a PayPal account before.
If you don’t have email, you can create one.
3. Proceed to create your password.
Make sure to create a strong and unique password you can easily remember.
Always write down the password somewhere safe in case you forget the password in the future.
Now, click continue.
4. Input your Business information.
Once you are done creating your password, you will be prompted to input your business information.
All information is required.
Tips to help fill your information accurately and avoid mistakes.
Read the following information:
Name – insert your first name and last name exactly as it appears on your valid ID.
Business Name – you can enter your name again, or if you have a registered business, you can type the name into the field.
Phone number – select your country of residence Choose Nigeria. Enter your Nigeria phone number without adding a 0 to the front, e.g. +2348123456789.
Postal code – provide your postal code. If you don’t know it, you can look it up by searching your location on Google.
Business Address – you may use your residential address for this if you wish.
Currency – choose the currency you would like to receive payment in, the US Dollar is recommended. After completing the form, tick the Agree and Continue box before submitting.
Once you are done, click on continue.
5. Describe your Business.
Now, you will be asked to describe your business.
On the following page, provide a brief overview of your business by providing a keyword that is relevant to the product or service you are offering.
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6. Submitting Your personal information
It is necessary to provide identification when setting up a PayPal business account.
Make sure you use your personal information accurately as it might be helpful in the future.
- Enter your date of birth,
- Nationality, select Nigeria
- For identity document, select the ID type you currently have
- ID number: input the ID number on your ID document.
- Select home address as billing address.
Now, click on submit.
7. Email confirmation.
PayPal will welcome you to their platform and give you a summary of the features of your account when you move to the next page.
This is a confirmation that you have successfully created a business account with them. Your email address is what you’ll need to use for any transactions you carry out with PayPal.
Before you can proceed with sending or receiving money, you must verify your email address. You will be able to see your PayPal account balance and some other data when you scroll around or down and click “See details”.
When you arrive at the next page, review all of the information to make sure it is accurate, and then click “Submit”. Check your email inbox for a PayPal confirmation mail and open it.
Finally, click the “Confirm Your Email” button.
8. Link and confirm credit or debit card.
To withdraw funds from a PayPal account to a Nigerian bank account, users must first verify their PayPal account by linking a supported debit or credit cards
(I recommend UBA prepaid card, Domiciliary bank account card, or Virtual dollar card. In my case, I used a Chipper Cash dollar card and it worked for me, although I have not tried to withdraw from it yet when I wrote this article).
PayPal users from outside of the United States must link their cards to complete the verification process according to Paypal.
To link a card to your PayPal account, make sure there are sufficient funds on the card, then log in to the PayPal account and click “Link a Debit Card”.
Enter the card details and click done. A sum of $1 will be deducted from the card to confirm the link was successful.
Then click “Verify Debit Card” and another $2 will be deducted from the card.
A prompt will appear requesting a code sent to the user, which will be refunded to the account within two weeks.
The code should be found in the debit alert sent to the user, and it should be entered in the space provided on the PayPal account.
For example, PP*1234CODE which means 1234 is the code requested, now input the code in the space provided in your UAE PayPal account as shown in the image below.
Once the code is verified, the account can be used to send and receive funds.
How to Withdraw Money from Your Paypal Account
To withdraw money from your PayPal account to your Nigerian bank account, you’ll first need to link your cards to your PayPal account. Once this is done, head to the PayPal dashboard by signing in to paypal.com/ae.
On the dashboard, select the “Withdraw Funds” option. In the following step, select your PayPal balance from the “From” option and your linked card from the “To” option. Enter the amount you wish to transfer and click the “Continue” button.
You will then be shown a review of the transaction. To confirm the transfer, press the “Transfer” button and the money will be sent to your card instantly.
Keep in mind that PayPal usually states the funds will be transferred within 5 to 7 business days, but most of the time the transfer is instant and you can check your balance at any ATM or through your mobile app.
The same process can be done when you link a foreign bank account.
You can as well sell your Paypal funds on platforms like Paxful and Noons
If you have further questions or need help selling/exchanging your Paypal funds for Nigerian Naira. Visit our Facebook Platform Skybiz24
