Why Nigerians are Saying No to PayPal’s Return via Paga
Ewohimi.com
As of January 2026,
PayPal
has announced a return to full functionality in Nigeria through a
partnership with local fintech firm Paga, allowing users to receive
international payments and withdraw funds in Naira. However, this
return has been met with skepticism, distrust, and calls for a boycott
from many Nigerians due to historical grievances, including years of
account restrictions, frozen funds, and limited, "send-only" status. Key Aspects of the Reaction:
- Deep-Rooted Distrust:
Many Nigerian freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, and small business
owners are hesitant to trust the platform again after previously losing
thousands of dollars to unappealed account limitations.
- "Too Late" Sentiment:
Critics argue that the Nigerian tech ecosystem has already developed
robust, local, and more reliable alternatives during the two decades
they were excluded, making PayPal’s return unnecessary.
- Concerns Over High Risk Profile:
While the partnership with Paga aims to address previous security
concerns (fraud, high-risk,, and identity verification issues), some
users still report experiencing restrictions and verification hurdles,
suggesting that Nigerian accounts are still treated with high suspicion.
- Demand for Accountability: The backlash is not merely a rejection of the service itself, but a demand for accountability regarding the funds lost during previous years, with many users feeling that PayPal is only returning now because of increased competition and a shrinking market in the West.
Despite
the backlash, the new integration with Paga allows for the long-awaited
ability to receive payments, which some users still see as a potential,
albeit cautious, step forward for the Nigerian gig economy.
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