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Paypal expands to more African countries

Oluniyi D. Ajao

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· Updated 27 March 2020
PayPal in Africa

Paypal has expanded even further in more countries in Africa, and other parts of the world. I have highlighted the African countries below:

The new markets that can now use PayPal to send money online include Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan Republic, Belize, Benin Republic, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Gabon Republic, Gambia, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Norfolk Island, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Yemen and Zambia.

Good as it sounds, it is important to note that users in all the African countries covered by Paypal, can only send, but cannot receive money. They cannot receive payments online even if they are online merchants. This is far better than not being included at all as users in the countries can at least pay for online services or send money to other Paypal users via the Internet.

Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana are prominently missing. This might not be unconnected to the fact that these countries are considered high-risk due to the high level of credit card fraud originating from these countries. Nigeria is especially unpopular on eBay, (world’s number 1 auction website) for fraud. Also, there are no bank issuing credit/debit cards in Ghana. The debit cards issued by a few banks are basically ATM cards and cannot be spent online. This might have contributed to Ghana not being listed.

Oluniyi D. Ajao Avatar
Oluniyi D. Ajao
Oluniyi D. Ajao is an Internet Entrepreneur and Tech Enthusiast. Follow him on X (fka Twitter) @niyyie for more tech updates.

Comments

  1. Fred K. P. Avatar
    Fred K. P.

    Just won a bid on ebay. The seller requests pay pal as the mode of payment. How do I pay to get the item without pay pal account?

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      Welcome to the party. You should join the pressure asking PayPal to extend their services to Ghana and Nigeria.

      Reply
  2. james Avatar
    james

    Welcome to Paypal workld, someone sent me money and I almost failed to retreive. Had to do a 5$ call to their customer service to have it returned to the person’s account coz mine was limited! Am now happier doing business with Amazon, better products too

    Reply
  3. james Avatar
    james

    @ Ronald Lumumba I would tell them to use a different method otherwise you ll have the battle of retreiving the money after its been sent to ur paypal

    Reply
  4. Dotsey Avatar
    Dotsey

    Took me a long time to get here. I wonder how many people will read my response to this post-a post 3 years old.
    Yes, I agree with Blo0dnight. Hacking is an alternative to this limitation, a limitation which is simply a result of our geographical location.
    And, Blo0dnight, if u ever come back to this post I’d like you to contact me at [email protected]

    Reply
  5. Chano Avatar
    Chano

    I tried to add a bank account to my pay pal account but with no success, it says Bank Accounts isn’t available ,PayPal doesn’t offer this feature at this time. I dont have a credit card. What should i do as i want to make some purchases on line.

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      What country are you?

      Reply
      1. Chano Avatar
        Chano

        Uganda

        Reply
  6. Jacqueline Oyaro Avatar
    Jacqueline Oyaro

    Hi,

    If I want to buy goods on Ebay and pay by PayPal in Uganda, which bank is authorised transact with PayPal?

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      I don’t think any bank is connected to PayPal, in Uganda.

      Reply
  7. Jacqueline Oyaro Avatar
    Jacqueline Oyaro

    If I want shop on ebay, how then can I pay since I do not have a credit card? How is ebay paid while in Uganda?

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      Jacqueline, you necessarily need a credit card or debit card, to be able to use ebay or PayPal.

      Reply
  8. ryan Avatar
    ryan

    Is it able to use PayPal instead of MoneyGram for sending money to Uganda and if yes, how??

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      You cannot send money to a PayPal Uganda account. Such accounts can only send money; they cannot receive.

      Reply
  9. muukiomuingi Avatar
    muukiomuingi

    Repost

    We all know PayPal started operating in South Africa just a few months ago, during the World cup. Well, it appears now that PayPal has added Kenya to the list of countries whose residents that can receive and send money using PayPal, the second African country on the said list. The site does not support local withdrawals as yet, and customers hoping to use it must add a US bank account to make withdrawals. Apparently the company is negotiating with a local bank to support local withdrawals in the near future, but I bet many Kenyan eCommerce entrepreneurs would rather have money lying in their PP accounts than in a potential client’s pocket (to be withdrawn at a future date). We all hope this signals a change in attitude by PayPal towards Africa, and that more countries will be added to that list in the future.

    Reply
  10. Salaviriuse Avatar
    Salaviriuse

    PayPal does not solve the problem in Africa then. Globally it is now recognized that it is very easy to make online today than never before but if one cannot get the money he/she has accumulated, it sort of looses sense. Africa has a lot of economic market and labour potential that the west has chosen to underestimate and this is such a case.
    why Africa?

    Reply
  11. James Avatar
    James

    It wont help even if u open an account in a different country. I had a bank of America account and was able to use it with my paypal in the US and also for the first few months when i came back to Uganda. Soon after my account was made limited because they detected that my IP address was in Uganda

    Reply
  12. USTINO Avatar
    USTINO

    David,i don’t agree with you that there is no Bank issuing a Debit or Credit Card in Ghana.Here in Ghana there are several Banks that issue Credit Cards even Master Card, for example GT BANK GH issues a Credit Card that you can use to pay or receive money online for anything of which i have one.The same applies to Ghana Commercial Bank that now issues a Master Card.

    This paypal issues concerning African Countries is causing us a lot of problems especially Internet Marketers like me.I use my Credit in opening a paypal account although the account was routed to Togo while i was in Ghana and paypal also verifies my card through their verification process by sending me a code which you can only see through your Bank statement.You will be charged a small amount by paypal but you will be refunded the money back once you are able to get the code and confirm it inside your paypal account.

    I did all these but still my paypal account is placed on a limited status which means i can’t send or receive money.I contacted paypal about this problem and all they did was to finally close my account and send an email that it is because of security reasons.

    This is very frustrating as there are a lot of offers online that does not accept any other form of payment apart from paypal.Who will let this company paypal know what they are loosing in this part of the world by not allowing us use their services.

    Any online marketer from this part of the world knows what i am about.Hey folks i am about to launch my BLOG in a few weeks from now,i will post the link here for all of you to have a look at it.

    David thanks for your good work,you are doing a very good job keep it up.

    Austin.

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      Check the date I published this blog post. The information was accurate as at then. All the same, thanks for your feedback.

      Reply
      1. kato Avatar
        kato

        For all those Ugandan who have issues with paypal should come to me. My paypal accout works perfectly, I have been buying things online and I still buy.

        Reply
        1. kasaija Avatar
          kasaija

          so please can gat to you help me no that issure

          Reply
          1. doktacleavon Avatar
            doktacleavon

            Where can I find paypal services in Uganda to register an account?

  13. bety Avatar
    bety

    kato, really?? then i need to get in touch with you. i’ve failed to use paypal and i’ve lost many international opportunities. could you pliz email me? i live in kampala

    Reply
  14. bryte Avatar
    bryte

    there are banks in ghana issuing credit cards..zenith bank is one! I have a credit card and wana buy online but i have to pay through paypal..now i cant pay cuz paypal doesnt operate in ghana..what shall we do brethren?!

    Reply
  15. ivan Avatar
    ivan

    i want web sites/companies that can pay methrough paypal

    Reply
  16. Audy Avatar
    Audy

    Hi there,
    i am living in sri lanka.I was trying to add an bank account to paypal,it’s coming as this feature is not available,why is that?i do not have credit card and my Hsbc debit card is not getting recognized..Gosh i’m getting really tired of this.i open the paypal account twice and i closed the account because of this issue..If i open it again and choose my country as U.S will i be able to connect with Sri lankan Hsbc bank account?

    Reply
    1. ivan Avatar
      ivan

      u need to have a visa credi card and when you open up u clik the verify my account link

      Reply
  17. David Avatar
    David

    Will do us a lot of good if eBay could allow for another means of payment, specifically Electronic Bank transfer. Cos, it is the account holder alone who has authority to make payments and transfers from his/her account. This way eBay can be sure that credit card and debit card fraud is eliminated. Consequently, the merchant will also have to confirm receipt of the funds before shipping

    Reply
  18. penina Avatar
    penina

    well well, what kind of business here am so confused, means credit card is the card i used to my bank account (ATM card)Akiba comercial Bank or are special card given from somekind of bank? plz brother help me to know what kind of business i started, i joined but i didnt put the credit card

    Reply
  19. Kelly Raymond Avatar
    Kelly Raymond

    Maybe if we Africans just shut the f-ck up and called ourselves together to sponsor a few programmers with plans and focus to create our own online payment processing platform we wouldn’t be here kissing the white man’s behind! Think people, think… It’s time to change. You need to know the ‘behind the scene story’ of the so called Almighty Paypal…. Read! Don’t hate on ’em, they are experienced that’s all.

    Reply
  20. Sabali33 Avatar
    Sabali33

    Hi David,
    Regarding ghana financial institutions not having debit/credit cards. Now there are as many as three banks that issue debit cards and bank issues a credit card. They are Ecobank, Zenith Bank and GT Bank. I have been using debit cards from Ecobank and Zenith bank for about two years now. So please update this article and if possible inform paypal that Ghana is ready for their services.

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      The article must be understood from the context of when it was written. There is no need to update it.

      Reply
  21. Sehemu-Nyeti Avatar
    Sehemu-Nyeti

    PayPal users in the following African countries can now receive money.
    Malawi, Algeria, Mozambique, Lesotho, Morocco,Botswana and Seychelles. Whats even better for them (unlike those from South Africa and Kenya) is that they can withdraw directly to a debit card which is a faster way of withdrawing. In Kenya for instance, you have to withdraw to a US bank account , which very few people have, and if you have it, it takes 3-4 days to withdraw it. I now so much envy guys from all these other countries that can withdraw using a credit card.

    Reply
  22. More African countries can now receive money via PayPal | Oluniyi D. Ajao

    […] wrote from Kenya: PayPal users in the following African countries can now receive money: Malawi, Algeria, […]

    Reply
  23. Albert Feka Avatar
    Albert Feka

    Does anyone know when PayPal will work for Kosovo?

    Reply
  24. don kasukumba Avatar
    don kasukumba

    Hi hop everything is ok,my visa cad has expired,but I want to pay someone maoney,kindly how will I pay that person by using paypal or shouldI contact my bank for more detail!

    Reply
  25. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Excellent post and I am glad to see there is so much additional information to be found in the comments. I am currently attempting to work with a Ugandan writer via Paypal or any other service that will allow me to transfer funds to her account..From what I have read here it seems like Paypal is still a no go even today when it comes to sending money TO Uganda. My bank tells me it will cost $40 per wire transfer, anybody have any idea how I can possibly get money over there?

    Reply
  26. Herbert Avatar
    Herbert

    For the information to the public,ghana has some banks here which issues international visa and master cards(most of them which are debit/prepaid cards).i have 1 visa card from zenith bank ghana which i use often to shop online at amazon.I just bought some items on there few moment ago and what is this blog talking about no bank in bank issues visa and master cards.

    Reply
    1. Oluniyi David Ajao Avatar
      Oluniyi David Ajao

      This blog post was written way back in May 2007. When did Zenith and others start issuing cards that can be used online?
      Take it easy.

      Reply
      1. Herbert Avatar
        Herbert

        2007

        Reply
  27. Mohamed Avatar
    Mohamed

    africa is a continent, and not a country, not becasue there is some fraudent people from africa, that no african can use paypall, i know that there is more fraud in europe and american than in African those f**kers are robberies, i hope nobody uses paypall from africa just to send money and not receive, racist banking system.

    Reply
  28. bilal Avatar
    bilal

    how can i send money to usa ? anyone can advice me ?

    Reply
  29. sem Avatar
    sem

    iam a ugandan leaving in canada,iam currently helping people in uganda receive money with my canadian verified paypal account,i buy and sell sturf on ebay using my account and anyone in east africa who has account limited issues or for whatever reason cannot complete a paypal transaction,i can help,if you want more information just email me..

    Reply
    1. eric Avatar
      eric

      i have several accounts limited . how can you help.

      Reply
  30. Oketcho Richard Avatar
    Oketcho Richard

    Hi hope your fine i havent got the charleng but i wanna no how i can deposit and withdrow in Uganda which bank because i opened ma paypal in Uganda like brother Kato said in his coment that he has no problem with paypal account thanx i hove a visa account with k.c.b thanx if you help me to use my paypal accont to by products out of ma country throgh onlin here ma conterct thanx God bless you Shallom.

    Reply
  31. Otswald Avatar
    Otswald

    I have opened a paypal account but I could not found my country on drop down menu, will it affect the use off Corse to send money as I am in Africa, it only give me an option to chose the US states, I have chosen but I am afraid if it will course problem on delivery address when purchase on ebay.

    Reply
  32. blogger Avatar
    blogger

    Hi, thanks for the article. Correction though: Ghana does have banks that issue debit cards, you just have to request such a card for online purchases. Ecobank for example, does this. Also, there a Reuters article online that cites Nigeria as one of the countries for Paypal expansion….

    Reply
  33. Zelalem Avatar
    Zelalem

    I am living in Ethiopia and create a new paypal account but can’t login. Really my email and password are correct what is the problem tell me now please ?

    Reply
  34. Can Paypal battle M- Pesa for a spot on Kenya’s online mobile payment space? – Ventures Africa

    […] Burkina Faso, Algeria, Tunisia and Benin Republic amongst others have been using the Paypal service for over eight years. Nigeria was the most recent African country to join the list in […]

    Reply
  35. Afroprofile.com

    […] Burkina Faso, Algeria, Tunisia and Benin Republic amongst others have been using the Paypal service for over eight years. Nigeria was the most recent African country to join the list in […]

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  36. Can Paypal battle M- Pesa for a spot on Kenya’s online mobile payment space?

    […] Burkina Faso, Algeria, Tunisia and Benin Republic amongst others have been using the Paypal service for over eight years. Nigeria was the most recent African country to join the list in […]

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