How to Get Paid Online in Nigeria (Paystack, Flutterwave, PayPal)
Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, coach, affiliate marketer, or digital product seller, one thing you need to figure out is how to get paid online in Nigeria (paystack, flutterwave, paypal). In Nigeria, receiving payments from both local and international clients used to be a serious challenge. But things are changing — thanks to platforms like Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal.
These payment gateways now make it easier to collect money from customers within Nigeria or abroad, either through card payments, transfers, or mobile money. But each platform has its strengths, limits, and setup process.
In this article, we’ll break down how to get paid online in Nigeria using Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal — and how to choose the best one for your business.
Table of Contents
- Why Receiving Online Payments Is a Must
- Overview of Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal
- How to Set Up a Paystack Account in Nigeria
- How to Receive Money with Flutterwave
- How to Get Paid with PayPal as a Nigerian
- Comparing Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal
- Tips for Choosing the Right Platform
- How to Use Payment Links and Storefronts
- Common Payment Issues and How to Solve Them
- Final Thoughts
- Need Help Starting Your Business?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key Takeaways
- Online payments help you sell to anyone, anywhere, at any time
- Paystack and Flutterwave are perfect for Nigerian and African transactions
- PayPal is good for international payments, but has limitations in Nigeria
- Setting up these platforms is free and requires basic documents like BVN and ID
- You can collect payments using links, storefronts, or embedded forms
- Choose your platform based on your audience (local or foreign) and business model
- Always test your payment link or gateway before sharing with customers
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Why Receiving Online Payments Is a Must
In 2025, more Nigerian customers are shopping online, paying via transfers or cards, and using social media to buy goods and services. If you’re still asking customers to “DM for account number,” you may be losing sales.
Online payments help you:
Look more professional
Receive payments faster
Track your income automatically
Sell to both local and international buyers
Reduce “promise-and-fail” customers
Once your business is online, your payment system must be too.
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Overview of Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal
Let’s introduce the top 3 platforms:
Paystack – A Nigerian-based payment gateway used to collect money from customers via debit cards, transfers, USSD, and more. Perfect for local sales.
Flutterwave – A global payment solution that supports over 30 African countries. With its “Barter” and “Send” features, it’s also great for freelancers and dollar transactions.
PayPal – One of the most popular international payment systems. Though Nigeria has limited access, you can still use PayPal to receive payments — with some smart workarounds.
Each of these platforms has different use cases. Some work better for Nigerians selling locally; others are best for freelancers and export services.
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How to Set Up a Paystack Account in Nigeria
1 – Go to www.paystack.com and click “Create Free Account”
2 – Choose “Business” or “Starter” account. Starter accounts are faster and require fewer documents
3 – Fill in your details: name, email, phone, and business name (use your brand or personal name)
4 – Enter your bank details and BVN
5 – Upload valid ID and business documents (CAC, if available)
6 – Create a payment page or product link
With Paystack, you can:
Share a unique link for people to pay you (e.g., paystack.com/yourbrand)
Set up a storefront to list digital or physical products
Receive payments directly into your bank within 24–48 hours
Paystack also integrates with websites like WordPress, Selar, Shopify, and WhatsApp.
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How to Receive Money with Flutterwave
1 – Visit www.flutterwave.com and sign up
2 – Choose “Business” or “Individual” account
3 – Fill in your details (name, phone, email, country)
<p><p><strong>4</strong> – Add your business description, bank details, and ID</strong>
<st
rong>5 – Once
approved, create a payment link or product page
Flutterw
ave offers:
Storefronts where you can list products
Payment links for one-time or recurring billing
Card payments, bank transfers, and mobile money options
Dollar or Naira collections
You can also use the Send App to receive money from abroad and withdraw in Naira. It’s popular among Nigerian freelancers.
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How to Get Paid with PayPal as a Nigerian
PayPal Nigeria allows you to send money and shop online, but it doesn’t support receiving payments directly through the Nigerian version.
However, there are workarounds:
Option 1: Open a PayPal Business Account in Lesotho or UAE
Use a foreign PayPal account (Lesotho, UAE, or South Africa) with a friend’s help or virtual business tools. Connect to a USD bank account from platforms like Grey or Payday.
Option 2: Use Payoneer to receive PayPal payments indirectly
Set up a Payoneer USD account, link it to PayPal, and use that to receive money. It’s slower but works.
Note: Always follow legal methods. Avoid shady PayPal setups that may lead to account bans.
If your business is local, stick with Paystack or Flutterwave. But if your target is international clients, PayPal can be a valuable tool — once properly set up.
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Comparing Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal
| Feature |
Paystack |
Flutterwave |
PayPal |
| Nigerian friendly |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ Limited |
| International usage |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (with workaround) |
| Payment links |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
❌ Not native |
| Local bank transfers |
✅ Fast |
✅ Fast |
❌ Not supported |
| Card payments |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Setup cost |
₦0 (Free) |
₦0 (Free) |
Free (with conditions) |
Choose based on your audience. Local sellers can use Paystack or Flutterwave. Freelancers may need PayPal or a combination.
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Tips for Choosing the Right Platform
Ask yourself:
Are your customers local or abroad?
Do you sell digital or physical products?
Are you in need of automated delivery after payment?
Also, Do you need recurring billing?
Is your priority speed or international access?
For Nigerian-to-Nigerian transactions — use Paystack or Flutterwave
For global payments — consider PayPal or combine with Payoneer/Barter
Some entrepreneurs use all three — for flexibility and more options
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How to Use Payment Links and Storefronts
Most people don’t want to deal with websites — they just want to click and pay. That’s where payment links come in.
With Paystack or Flutterwave, you can:
Create a payment link for a product or service
Add a name, amount, and description
Share the link via WhatsApp, Instagram, or email
Customers click, pay, and you get notified instantly
For sellers with multiple products, you can set up a free storefront — like a mini online shop. No coding required.
This makes it easy to collect payments 24/7 — even while you sleep.
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Common Payment Issues and How to Solve Them
Issue: Customer’s card is declined
Solution: Ask them to try another card, refresh their network, or use a different payment method like transfer
Issue: Delay in getting payment
Solution: Payments usually settle within 24–48 hours. Confirm your bank info is correct
Issue: PayPal holding funds
Solution: This happens with new accounts. Keep transacting and upload tracking info if needed
Issue: Buyer doesn’t want to use links
Solution: Offer them the option of transfer, but follow up with a receipt or manual confirmation
Always test your link before sharing and communicate clearly with your buyers.
Final Thoughts
Getting paid online is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for serious entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Whether you’re selling akara, coaching classes, ebooks, or crafts, using trusted platforms like Paystack, Flutterwave, and PayPal makes your business smoother, faster, and more credible.
Don’t wait to “build a website first” or “register your business.” Start collecting payments today using free tools that are already available. And as your business grows, you can upgrade and expand.
The world is online — your payment system should be too.
Need Help Starting Your Business?
At Dayo Adetiloye Business Hub, we help Nigerians like you start and grow profitable businesses — no matter your budget. From writing business plans to getting registered and finding the right business idea, we’ve got your back.
Call or WhatsApp us on +234-806-077-9290
Let’s build your dream business — together!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use Paystack or Flutterwave without registering a business?
Yes. You can open a starter account with your personal details and upgrade later when ready.
2. Can I receive dollars with Paystack?
Paystack supports USD payments only for registered businesses. Use Flutterwave or PayPal alternatives for personal dollar collections.
3. Which is better — Paystack or Flutterwave?
Both are great. Paystack is easier for beginners. Flutterwave offers more features for international collections.
4. Can I use PayPal in Nigeria to receive money?
Not directly. You’ll need to open a PayPal business account from another supported country like Lesotho or UAE.
5. How do I link PayPal to a Nigerian bank?
You can’t link directly. Use Payoneer or a virtual USD account (e.g., Grey) as a bridge.
6. How long does it take to receive money through Paystack?
Usually within 24 hours, or next working day into your bank account.
7. Do I need a website to use these platforms?
No. You can use payment links or storefronts without owning a website.
8. Can I receive international payments on Flutterwave?
Yes. Flutterwave supports multiple currencies and payment channels globally.
9. Are these platforms safe for Nigerians?
Yes. They are secure and regulated, with fraud protection and customer support.
10. Where can I get help setting up my payment links or storefront?
You can contact Dayo Adetiloye Business Hub for personalized setup and business support.
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