After years of absence from the Nigerian market, PayPal has officially returned through a strategic partnership with Paga, a leading Nigerian fintech.
This partnership is expected to streamline cross-border payments, enabling Nigerians to send and receive money globally with greater ease. Users can now link their PayPal Nigeria accounts directly within the Paga app.
Once linked, the PayPal account functions as usual, but with the added ability to receive payments from more than 200 countries. Funds received through PayPal can be withdrawn at any time directly from within the Paga app, providing seamless access to international payments for individuals and businesses alike.
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While the announcement marks a major milestone for digital payments in the country, reactions among Nigerians have been mixed. For some, the partnership is a welcome development for Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
However, for several others, the excitement of PayPal’s return is tempered by frustration. Some users recall being unable to access funds previously held in their accounts before PayPal exited the market.
Recall that PayPal effectively exited limited service in Nigeria around 2004, when it placed Nigerian accounts on a “send only” status that prevented users from receiving funds or withdrawing locally due to fraud and compliance concerns, a restriction that lasted for nearly two decades.
These affected individuals are now seeking restitution, hoping that renewed operations in Nigeria will allow them to reclaim funds that had been effectively frozen for years.
Several Nigerians took to X (formerly Twitter) to argue that PayPal’s return does not undo past grievances, especially concerning withheld funds.
@Luciduche wrote,
“PayPal cannot seize people’s funds, forcefully deactivate accounts, effect NO refunds, and swoop in decades later to access the same Nigerian market they treated like garbage.”
@OlamideElegbe wrote,
“PayPal has to release the funds they have seized for no reason back to the customers. It’s that simple.”
@odomstanley25 wrote,
“Nigerians should avoid PayPal in extension paga, the funds they seized from Africans in extension Nigerians should be returned, and an explanation on why they existed the African market”.
@Josylad wrote,
“We have outgrown paypal though. My funds are still locked in one account I created back then, me and PayPal have no business.”
Amidst the demands for withheld funds, the lingering question remains: will PayPal address the backlog of inaccessible funds and ensure that affected users are reimbursed?
The question extends beyond simple reimbursement, it reflects a deeper issue of trust and credibility. Nigerians want to know whether PayPal acknowledges its previous shortcomings, and if it has implemented mechanisms to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Several analysts suggest that while the PayPal-Paga partnership opens significant opportunities for Nigeria’s digital economy, the company’s ability to resolve past financial bottlenecks will be critical in winning back trust among its users. Recent observations reveal that users are now scrutinizing whether PayPal provides a reliable, transparent, and supportive experience.
For PayPal, the road ahead is clear: successful reintegration into Nigeria depends on delivering dependable service, clear communication, and proactive resolution of issues. Only then can the company rebuild trust and secure a meaningful presence in one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital economies.