How to get started with PayPal in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria
If you are in Uganda, Kenya, or Uganda, this quick guide will help you to get started with PayPal, a simple and safer way to Pay and Get Paid online without trouble. So, we shall help you get around the real of this popular digital payment platform. We shall be answering all your frequently asked question about PayPal such as; how to create an account with PayPal, how to pay and get paid in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria through your PayPal account. Lastly, we will also look at some of the most popular sites that accept PayPal payments.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is a digital payments platform that allows individuals and businesses to send and receive money electronically. It provides a convenient and secure way to make online transactions without the need to disclose sensitive financial information such as credit card or bank account details to the recipient.
Before, PayPal wasn’t available for African countries. Thanks to the need for digital transactions in Africa that saw platforms like mobile money and PayPal itself come to African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, and many others. As we speak, PayPal is available in forty eight African countries.
Types of PayPal accounts for Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria users
PayPal offers different types of accounts for its users in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and other parts of Africa tailored to the needs of individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Here are the main types of PayPal accounts you may consider:
1. PayPal Personal Account:
This is designed for individuals who want to send and receive money online. We recommend it for personal use such as splitting bills with friends, shopping online, or paying for services. This PayPal personal account offers basic features like sending money, receiving money, and making purchases.
2. PayPal Business Account:
This one is specifically for businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietors to large corporations. It allows businesses to accept payments online, invoice customers, and manage transactions. With the PayPal business account, you will get features like PayPal Business Debit MasterCard, access to business tools, and customizable payment solutions.
However, note that not like the personal account, a PayPal business account may require additional verification steps to confirm the business’s identity and compliance with PayPal’s policies.
How to create a PayPal account in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda
Creating an account with PayPal is a straightforward process, whether you’re an individual looking to make online purchases or a business aiming to accept payments. Here’s how you can create an account with PayPal in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, or any other African country.
- Visit the PayPal website or download the PayPal app from your Smartphone’s app store.
- Click on “Sign Up” and choose between a Personal or Business account.
- Enter your Email address, create a password, and fill in your personal information as prompted.
PayPal will send you a confirmation email to the address you provided. Click on the link within the email to verify your account. That is it. You can then enjoy paying, getting paid, and buying things online in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria seamlessly with PayPal.
How to link your Bank Account or Credit/Debit Card:
PayPal always recommend its users to link a bank account to credit/Debit card to their PayPal account. This is because it is one of the easiest ways you will add funds to your PayPal account or make payments.
So, to link your bank account to credit/Debit card to PayPal, simply navigate to the “Wallet” section and select “Link a Bank Account” or “Link a Credit or Debit Card” to follow the instructions.
Note: For business accounts, you will need additional verification steps to confirm your business’s identity. These include providing any requested documents, such as business licenses or tax IDs.
Which online Platforms accept PayPal Payments?
PayPal is widely accepted by a multitude of online retailers, service providers, and platforms. Here are some popular sites that commonly accept PayPal payments for users in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda:
- Amazon: Some sellers on Amazon accept PayPal payments for goods and services.
- eBay: PayPal was initially founded as a payment service for eBay transactions and is still widely used on the platform.
- Etsy: Many independent sellers on Etsy offer PayPal as a payment option for handmade goods, crafts, and vintage items.
- Walmart: Walmart’s online store accepts PayPal payments for a wide range of products.
- Netflix: The popular streaming service allows subscribers to pay for their subscriptions using PayPal.
- Spotify: Users can purchase premium subscriptions to Spotify using PayPal.
- Adobe: Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions and software purchases can be paid for using PayPal.
- Microsoft: Microsoft accepts PayPal payments for various products and services, including Xbox games and Office subscriptions.
Conclusion
That has been our guide today to help you get started with PayPal in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. You can visit the PayPal website in case you want to create your first account or to learn more about this digital payment platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PayPal is currently available in Nigeria. You can now send and receive money, and even make online transactions in Nigeria seamlessly without and trouble.
If you want to transfer money from PayPal to Nigeria Bank account, simply log into your PayPal account >>> Go to “Wallet” >>> Select “Transfer money” >>> and then “Withdraw from PayPal to your bank account” Finally, you can choose the linked bank account you want to send the money in Nigeria
Note that PayPal works with only Visa or Mastercard. So, whichever bank account you want to link to PayPal in Nigeria, ensure it offer these cards. The good news is that all banks in Nigeria can be linked to PayPal account.
Yes, PayPal is available in Kenya with M-PESA accounts. That means, you need to have registered PayPal and M-PESA accounts. To register for M-PESA, visit any M-PESA agent outlet across Kenya.
In order to receive money on PayPal in Kenya, simply submit the email attached to your PayPal account to the person who intends to pay you. Note that, the person must also own a PayPal account for the payment to come through. Once that happens, PayPal will send you a message letting you know you have money available.
Yes, PayPal is available for every individual in Uganda. It is common being used by Freelancers to get paid online and other individuals to pay Netflix Subscriptions online in Uganda.
In Kenya, Equity bank is one of the banks that allow withdraw service with PayPal. However, note that this service is exclusive to Equity Bank customers in Kenya, and is accessible using Equity Online and Equity Mobile App.
