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 consider 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 is no bank issueing 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.
Related posts:
- Why Paypal features in Africa are limited
- 10 Most Technology-savvy African countries
- Paypal moves deeper into Africa
- Making Money Online: Getting Paid via Paypal
- Is a common African e-commerce platform possible?
- Graphcard to Paypal & e-gold
- Celtel Ghana
- Paypal Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil users offered more withdrawal options
- Paypal to e-gold
- Paypal Nigeria
PayPal Expands In Africa
Expanding operations into more African nations means more e-commerce for local users. Since e-gold may be slowing down operations, the additional access to PayPal may be very helpful to many people in these countries.
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[...] Oluniyi Ajao blogs about PayPal expanding into more African countries: “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 consider high-risk due to the high level of credit card fraud originating from these countries.” Share This [...]
Until Africans can receive money, paypal is a no go
[...] Seems like Paypal is one of those “leapfrogging” technologies that could help entire regions skip the process of developing a banking infrastructure, which apparently takes about 200 years of war (judging from how the West has done it). 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. -Oluniyi David Ajao [...]
South Africans have been able to pay with Paypal for years, but there’s been no progress in being able to accept money. If there’s no sign of the most sophisticated banking environment in Africa being fully integrated, what hope for other African countries?
Paypal may be useful, but it’s still a giant vacuum cleaner sucking money to Western banks, with nothing coming back this way.
Each country has its own financial regulation and many people have given different reasons about why South Africans cannot receive money via Paypal. Some think it has to do with tax issues.
I still insist though, that being able to send money (only) via paypal is better than not being able to open a paypal account at all.
I have registered for paypal but cant add my visa credit card. When I call the issuing bank in Kenya their records show there has not been a denied request.
The paypal customer service is not helpful at all
What should I do?
What error do you get when you try to add your Visa credit card?
I believe Ghana has fairly strict laws about moving money out of the country, which is why Europeans working there will occasionally be happy to give a European visitor Cedis in return for a transfer into their European bank account.
I also seem to remember a friend from Sierra Leone once wanted to send money home from Ghana via Western Union but wasn’t allowed to.
Of course there are ways/exceptions to the rule, but they involve a good amount of paperwork.
That would explain why Ghana is not on PayPal’s list. If PayPal is not going to offer Africans a means to receive money and if PayPal can’t allow anybody to readily send money out of the country there’d be little use to the whole thing.
Thomas, the concept you are attempting to explain is well-known to me, and is called “Capital Flight” in economic terms.
I am aware that this may be a major factor deterring Paypal, but one cannot discount the role of fraud. Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana are both widely marked as “high-risk” because of the rather high number of fraudulent transactions originating from those countries.
I bidded for a Calvin Klein for men on Ebay on on 15th or 16th of September 2007 when I was on Vacation in England. After winning I successfully registered my Mastercard issued by Intercontinental Bank PLC, a Nigerian Bank. The processes took me to http://www.paypal.co.uk but was declined registration by the Paypal. I used my card unhindered in UK Shop and ATMs. Now Ebay has since been sending reminder to my email. Please rather than denying Nigerians with good intention from partaking in e-commerce bussinesses some measures should be put inplace to enable issuing banks in Nigeria authenticate users’ elegibility>
I wasn’t aware of the term capital flight, but surely if it is as cumbersome to get permission to send money out of Ghana via a bank as suggested and it’s not possible at all by Western Union, then PayPal simply cannot allow people to do so as they are effectively prevented to do so by law.
Why they don’t allow it for any African country is another matter, though.
PS: Thanks for responding. Would be great, though, if you could generally email it as well, I’ve only come across your response by chance!
Not the first Ian, another one!
Personally I am not going to utilise PayPal on a one way operation. Either they can treat us in Africa as equals or they can take a hike. I’d rather engage in barter, or find someone reputable who accepts payment by normal credit card transactions – not at all difficult.
Still, this is not an uncommon attitude to Africa from the northern hemisphere, but at the same time I have often wondered if this is not due to some blocking by the local banks who see their heavy fees for forex transactions under threat.
Ian
Well, to those people who are lamenting about not being able to use paypal should try and find a smart way to use PayPal. Maybe they can start by opening up an offshore bank account which they can use to receive money and then transfer the funds into their local accounts. for instance, to operate a PayPal account in UK you need a bank account. For those of us who have Barclays in their countries this is even easier since they just need to be transferring money direct from Barclays UK, the offshore account. Go to this website and open an offshore account. http://www.barclays.com/internationalbanking/ . Remember, the Know Your Customer Rules in this case are stricter than usual. The charges may also be prohibitive, at around 10 pounds per month.
Perhaps thats the best way us Africans can use PayPal, or we can wait until that time PayPal decide its worthwhile to expand into Africa. I choose the former.
I beg to differ with you James.
I have used Paypal for some time now and know perfectly well how difficult it can be to use Paypal from outside a country where Paypal’s services are not available. If you use your Paypal account from Nigeria and they have any reason to suspect fraud, they would ‘freeze’ the account and any funds in it until you are able to produce valid documentation regarding all the name, credit card information, bank accounts address etc that you used in opening the paypal account. So readers beware.
David,
Its possible that you will be caught if you use your traditional email address, especially one that you had specified on the drop-down list of countries an African country as your country of origin.
The trick is you open a new email account and specify that your country is, for instance Britain and make sure you have an account with a British Bank. I recommend Barclays, HSBC and Lyoids TSB. Moral questions will of course arise (lying that you are British) but I believe in this case it is justifiable, PayPal has given us little choice. I believe that way you will be in a position to use PayPal unfettered. Its a tried and tested method really.
James, there should be no moral issues if you have a legitimate British bank account. So, don’t hesitate.
I have some prospective customers from Algeria who want to buy from me, but they keep saying that PayPal doesn’t work for them despite the fact that their country is listed as one of PayPal’s accepted countries. Does anyone know what the problem is?
hallo people,
i just came across this blog and i think its great.james, i think your idea is great for the serious people.i would advice eric to use the virtual visa credit card for one time transactions or for site membership.it has worked perfectly for me.paypal is still miles away from totally embracing africa with all the fraud history trailing us.however, the future is very bright and better opportunities will open up.lets keep up the great African spirit with us…………..
why is nigeria egypt and ghana not accessable to pay pal
I have attempted to answer that question here: Why Paypal features in Africa are limited
People for me paypal is scam. They are in fact one of the biggest scam operations in the world. I have had personal experience with them and i also advise you stay away from them even if you are not african. YES. conduct your research and see that alot of companies around the world would not accept paypal if the money is reasonable. that is because they don’t want to risk losing it.
I think we as africans have to start working things out for our selves. why cant we have our own paypal? maybe call it sanowo.com.ng/paymoney.com.ng/paypaddy.co.ng or something. I understand it’s challenging but we can do it and 4get paypal completely. they need us more than we need them though, so make paypal go sit down.
one day nigger go get their own kindda paypal and we can’t be shut out from the legit internet money making opportunities.
well said, but the problem is, when u get paypal Nigeria or a Nigerian alternative, who will accept it, how will it be welcomed by the rest of the world being that most merchants are non Nigerians and also Nigeria reputation is very poor!
I think e-currencies like e-gold and Liberty Reserve are other alternatives.
I think paypal sucks this bad. Hating on ‘em African countries. Let paypal go suck itself.
Well they better change their mind.
I have been using a Visa Gold Card from GT Bank in Ghana for months now. As at last year, many Banks like EcobANK and CAL Bank had been offering Credit Crads and we have been using this card on every website you can name
This is because almost all these countries are French speaking countries and it makes no sense for these unfocused guys to take such a step because they stand a chance of getting more customers in these 2 countries – Nigeria and Ghana as compared to putting all these African Countries together
I want to open paypal account and do online business from Nigeria. But paypal does not work in Nigeria. Please help me by giving me there website. And if there any online business please do inform me. Earnestly waiting for your response. Thanks.
why is paypal not in ghana yet
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is there anyone who really knows how one can get a verified paypal account here?cos some people are claiming to know but are not willing to share that information.
thanks.
chuks
paypal only accept bank in usa.
Why hasn’t paypal extended to GHANA.
PLEASE DO WELL TO EXTEND PAYPAL TO GHANA AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
WE NEED IT AND WE NEED IT NOW. PLEAAAASEEEE
it is not true thaat no bank in ghana is given credit cards. the ghana commercial bank is offering mastercard and ghana is also on patalert. the paypal management should know that the three countries not listed are those who are more into trading on the internet and they are also economically high compared to most of the countries listed in the paypal countries. its a pity though!
recently lots of nigerians has been able to operate a paypal account, the only problem that they are having is the ip problem which solutions as been recently found, hope it will remain so
thanks
Thanks for the very insightful information that you have posted on your blog. If we cannot receive payment via paypal in Africa, what other alternative is there to use? Are there any other money transferring services that one can use to receive payment via the internet? I’d appreciate a response from you.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Clement
Alertpay is a good alternative.
[...] all African countries on Paypal cannot receive money but can only send. Some countries outside Africa are also in the Send Only category. [...]
Paypal will not accept Nigerians.Let us move in the direction of Alertpay nad plimus…
use google checkout
Hello dearv mr Oluniyi David Ajao ,
I am lateef from nigeria,please sir,i will like to open a paypal account and verify it,please lead me through. THANKS
YOURS SINCERERY,
ADEWOLE LATEEF,
NIGERIA
Africa shud Open their own paypal like system to send and recieve cash. Paypal is a no go zone 4 AFRICA.
i i am felix kopien i have a veryfied paypal account i need to add fund to it can you help me?
from warri
I cannot help you Felix. I suggest you fund it through the same way you got the account.
Felix,
If you wish to add funds using your bank account kindly confirm the bank account to set up the direct debit then in a few days your bank will receive 2 small deposits from PayPal (PayPal expense) that will help you confirm the bank. Then after the confirmation you will be able to add funds (not really sure about the time frame ‘depends where you’re from’) e.g. UK 7 to 9 working days. The funds will be showing in your PayPal balance after the transfer. Now, you can send the money through the send money tab in PayPal’s website. You can still send money even without a balance in your PayPal account just by adding a card (debit or credit card) as long as the billing address matches the postal address in your PayPal account.
Unverified account has certain limits, if you fully verified your account this limits will be lifted. e.g UK account unverified=£1000.00 sending limit, now if you will verify your account it will show unlimited.
Please do refer to the PayPal’s website for more information.
Thanks David for the space
One more thing guys if you are planning to sell items on eBay or in your website please be careful of the roaming emails that says it is from PayPal/eBay asking you to ship out the item and eventually you will receive the payment in your PayPal account is a SCAM.
*Please remember
Do not ship out the item until you see the payment in your PayPal balance
Its such a shame that paypal does not function in some countries in Africa mainly due to fraud. But I don’t think its mainly due to fraud. Lack of international credit card issue in these countries can be the main point. If so, then very soon there is a hope that paypal will extend to these countries.
And in working with paypal, you need to receive payment notification from paypal before you take action. And then buy from secure sites
I beg to differ with you Michael and fraud and credit cards. How many credit cards are issue in Niger, The Gambia, Togo etc yet Paypal is available to residents of those countries albeit on a send-only basis? I believe fraud pays a more important role about their lack of presence in Nigeria.
I never knew paypal was very wack like that, really am disappointed in them. who said there no scammers in America and Canada> fellow african dont mind them. For your informaton there are so many money making scam sites from Canada and America using paypal, therefore paypal itself is fruad based, Fellow ghanaians, please go to Ecobank, calbank or GT bank in Accra and get an account, THey issue Visa and master cards and do your transactions calmly rather than these pay pal people.
If African countries can’t receive payments, then how do one fund the accounts to pay for things online
Users in countries that cannot accept payment can fund their accounts by credit or debit cards. The credit card is linked to the paypal account and all the money spent is drawn from the card.