How to create a PayPal account in Africa?
Paypal account

How to create a PayPal account in Africa?

Yesterday he was difficult to do business on the internet from Africa, thanks to Paypal the difficulties are resolved. It is now easy to create a Paypal account in Africa. In fact, PayPal is one of the best ways to make purchases online. Many people cannot create this account or pass the verification of certain information. This is why in this article, Finance de Demain shows you how to create a PayPal account in Africa legally and easily.

Before we start, I would like to tell you that you can also check our Payoneer guide to know how to create a Payoneer account. At the end of this article, I will also show you how you can withdraw your PayPal money from Mobile Money. And this regardless of your country of residence, in Africa, in Europe, etc.

Let's go !!

What is PayPal?

PayPal is an American company offering online payment service system worldwide. The platform serves as an alternative to Payment by check or by credit card. The site operates as a payment method for e-commerce sites. The Paypal payment system is considered to be one of the most imposing payment platforms at the moment. Paypal also allows transfers between people.

Created in 1998, Paypal goes public in 2002 and becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of eBay. Paypal and eBay split later in 2015. The company enters the Fortune 500 in the United States, at 222e place in 2018, according to Forbes magazine. Today, it is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Briefly, Paypal is the largest online payment system, it allows merchants to receive credit card payments securely and customers to make purchases. Before, with your African Paypal account, it was not possible for you to make purchases on sites that integrate Paypal payment, you could not for example withdraw paypal money from your uncle who is in France.

Transfers to African countries were not possible via PayPal unless you used a Paypal account from the United States or Europe. In this article, I will show you how to create a Paypal account in Africa in non-eligible countries. To create your account, the following steps must be followed.

✔️ Step 1: Go to the PayPal website. The first thing to do is go to the PayPal website. You must choose whether it is a professional account or a particular account.

✔️Step 2: You have the choice between 2 types of Paypal accounts. Choose the professional account if you want to do business on the internet

How to open a PayPal business account?

Enjoy merchant protection and accept payments from millions of PayPal users from almost anywhere in the world.

Open a free account and enjoy merchant protection, billing solutions, payment management, sales tracking, reporting, and online support whenever you need it. Accepting transactions from your customers from almost anywhere in the world, PayPal is the ideal payment solution.

  • Automation of payments :
    Options to automate recurring payments, making it easier to manage subscriptions and services.
  • Seller Protection :
    Fraud and dispute coverage, providing additional security for transactions.
  • Various payment options :
    Acceptance of credit card, debit card, and PayPal account payments, providing flexibility to customers.
  • Ease of integration :
    Easy integration with e-commerce sites and sales platforms.
  • Risk of account freezing :
    Accounts may be suspended or frozen without notice, which may cause inconvenience.
  • Withdrawal limits :
    Limits may apply on the amount you can withdraw or transfer.
  • Fund Restrictions :
    Funds may be withheld in the event of a dispute or suspected fraud, which may affect liquidity.
  • Transaction fees :
    Fees can be high, especially for international transactions.

Un PayPal Business Account lets you accept credit card or PayPal payments virtually anywhere in the world. Open your account in a few clicks:

  • Go to PayPal.fr to open an account.
  • Select " Business Account ».
  • Enter your email address.
  • Create a login ID and password, and enter your company details.

Paypal will ask for your company information, Employer Identification Number, or Social Security number. finally, it will ask you for additional personal information which will be used to verify your identity. Then we will send you an email to verify your information, and your account will be ready to go. You can now send and receive money with PayPal.

✔️ Step 3: Enter all the requested information

Warning, this step is very important if you reside in a country that is not eligible for PayPal. To do this, you will need to go to Google and search for the coordinates of a country like Morocco that is eligible for PayPal. In other words, your country will be Morocco, this is what will allow you to receive money on your sales.

✔️ Step 4: Complete additional information and continue

Paypal in Africa
Paypal in Africa
How to create a PayPal account in Africa? 10

You have just created your Paypal account but to make online payments you must link it with your credit card (to have a verified Paypal account). So click on " Save a map for later use ».

Paypal in Africa
Create a PayPal account in Africa

I recommend you a VISA bank card because most MasterCard cards in Africa are rejected as. Please check this with your bank.

Paypal in Africa
Create a PayPal account in Africa

For the verification of your account, Paypal will charge a small amount (<$1,5) of your bank card which he will refund after 1 or 2 days. You now know how to have a PayPal account in Africa for your online purchases. As I promised you, I wrote a guide that will allow you, too, to withdraw your money on PayPal without too much hassle.

How to withdraw PayPal money without a card in Africa?

Many people have struggled for years with withdrawing their money to PayPal. In fact, after making a sale on the internet, PayPal customers who have not linked a credit card to their PayPal account may have problems collecting their money. Even worse if you live in Africa. If you reside in Africa and experience these difficulties in withdrawing your money on PayPal, Do not worry anymore. Today I come with a solution to your problem.

What is Xoom?

Xoom, a PayPal service for transferring money worldwide. It is perhaps the most anticipated PayPal solution for transferring funds to other parts of the world, especially Africa. While it does not solve the problem of African freelancers and digital entrepreneurs receiving online payments from service platforms, it does allow them to receive money from family and friends.

PayPal Xoom allows someone in the United States, Canada, Europe, etc., with a valid PayPal account, to transfer money from PayPal to Nigeria, Cameroon and other third world countries. Funds can be transferred directly to a bank account or by direct withdrawal through partner agencies.

Xoom is an alternative to Western Union and MoneyGram. It first entered the money transfer scene in 2001. Acquired by PayPal in 2015, the international transfer service allows customers to send money online to 158 countries across the world, including Italy, Germany, France, Australia, the Philippines, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

Xoom Money Transfer Payment Options

Xoom is a PayPal service, So you can use your PayPal balance to make payments. According to their website, “Your PayPal balance will appear as a payment option if you have enough available balance to pay for your Xoom transaction in full.

How useful is Xoom for Africans?

PayPal has been and remains the most secure online payment processor. However, many African countries and online entrepreneurs are being shortchanged. The ease and security of PayPal makes it quite widely used. I think Xoom is their effort to expand securely into Africa and other third world countries in the money transfer industry.

As a freelancer earning commissions on job boards like UpWork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or as an author selling products online, you’ll need a valid foreign PayPal account to receive your funds. Xoom will help you transfer funds to Africa at a very competitive rate. But if you have someone who wants to send you funds via credit card, bank deposit, or PayPal, this is probably the most affordable method.

CoHow do I link my PayPal and Xoom accounts?

When you send money to the United States or certain countries, PayPal handles your transaction and you'll normally see the payment details in your PayPal account. However, if you're sending an international payment for one of the reasons below, your payment is processed by Xoom, a PayPal service that offers money transfers worldwide. You'll be asked to sign in to your Xoom account so you can:

  • Send money to a recipient's bank account.
  • Send money for cash pickup or home delivery.
  • Top up a prepaid mobile phone.
  • Pay an international bill.

How to transfer PayPal funds

If you are outside Cameroon and want to make a secure money transfer to Cameroon (from your PayPal balance) without the risk of compromising your card details, you should try Xoom. It is valid for the majority of African countries. The advantages are numerous:

  • Low fees
  • The recipient can pick up anywhere in Cameroon
  • You can make a direct bank deposit in all banks in Cameroon
  • The transfer is fast and secure

Here are the different steps to send money from your PayPal account to your Country

Step 1:

Sign up for a free account

Step 2:

Select money transfer options, including the recipient's name and country, the amount and the delivery method (bank deposit, cash pickup or home delivery).

Step 3

Enter the recipient's information, including full name, address, name of bank and account number.

Step 4:

Enter the conditions of sale. Customers can choose to pay from their checking account, debit card, or credit card. (Xoom does not accept cash as a funding source.)

Step 5:

Check the details and confirm the transfer.

Once they have a Xoom account, customers can log in and quickly send money to friends and family from their mobile phone, tablet or computer. When you transfer money through Xoom, your recipient can receive the transfer in local currency or U.S. dollars.

At the time of writing, Cash Pickup is available from Banque Atlantic, First Trust, ECPC Crédit Populaire and Exchange House SARL. I know this will increase rapidly over time.

Recharge your mobile phone in Cameroon, Nigeria and Africa with PayPal

Let me walk you through the process of buying airtime for any phone number in Cameroon (MTN and ORANGE). I don't have Nextell at the moment to try.

Go to Quick Start -> Charge Phones. Then select the country of the phone, enter the number you want to top up or select from the list:

Xoom will automatically detect the carrier and if the number is valid. Again, it's fast and cheap. They have a rate flat rate of 1,49 USD per transaction to Cameroon and the maximum recharge amount at the time of writing was 19700. I don't know if this is unique to my Xoom account.

NB: If you are running the app for the very first time, PayPal may require some authentication actions to ensure that your account is not hacked.

How much does the Xoom transfer cost?

Xoom’s service fees vary depending on your country, the country you’re transferring money to, your funding source, the payment currency, and the total transfer amount. You’ll pay the lowest fees if you transfer money through a U.S. bank account. However, it can take up to four business days for Xoom to receive the funds from your bank. If you pay with a credit or debit card, the fees are slightly higher, but the transaction processing is faster.

The majority of Xoom transactions are sent to Mexico and the Philippines, funded from a bank account and paid out in local currency. For these transactions, the customer pays flat fee of $4,99. Xoom offers a fee and exchange rate calculator to help customers determine the total price of the transfer as well as the amount their recipient will receive (based on exchange rates.)

Imagine you want to send $500 to a friend in Ireland. According to the Xoom calculator, it would cost you a total of $4,99 to send the money from your bank account. Alternatively, if you want to pay with a credit or debit card, you will pay a total of $15,49 in fees. Fees are much lower for some countries. For example, if you wanted to send $500 to a family member in Chad, it would cost you a total of $2,99, whether you paid with a credit/debit card or directly from your account.

Xoom A PayPal Service.svg

Pros and cons by Xoom

Xoom's main advantage is price. The service claims to offer lower prices on international money transfers than Western Union and MoneyGram. Xoom makes its money from transaction fees, as well as exchange fees charged when money is received in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

According to Xoom's website, its transfer service is also extremely secure. Xoom says it uses industry-leading security encryption. 128-bit data to protect all information sent between the customer's web browser and its website. The company is certified and accredited by third-party privacy organizations and regulated by U.S. federal and state government agencies.

Xoom also offers a money-back guarantee. If for any reason your money is not received by your recipient, they will refund your transaction in full.

So what about the downsides?

Some reviewers complain that Xoom often plays it too safe, leading to additional hassle for the customer and long processing times. The service has received numerous complaints on the Consumer Affairs website in which customers report that their money was held too long, Xoom agents asked too many " unrelated questions ” and, in some cases, Xoom requested additional proof or information, such as bank statements.

Of course, taking these extra steps (and refusing to accept cash as a source of funding) are good ways to avoid money laundering schemes and terrorist financing.

Xoom vs. WorldRemit

For about a year now, I have been using WorldRemit to receive payments from the US and Europe. I have also received funds from PayPal via WR. Here is how it works:

  • You link a valid bank account to PayPal
  • Transfer Funds from PayPal to Bank Account
  • Next, link the bank account to your WordRemit account
  • Transfer funds from your foreign bank account to a local bank account, thanks to Worldremit

Xoom and WorldRemit are both online money transfer services that make it easy to send money internationally, but they have distinct features.

But I personally think Xoom is a serious lead for WR. The reason is charges and time. With WorldRemit you lose a lot of money along the way. You will also need a foreign bank account to operate, which is not necessary with Xoom.

Xoom

Advantage:

  • Speed ​​of transfers : Xoom, a subsidiary of PayPal, enables instant transfers in many countries. Funds can be available within minutes.
  • Integration with PayPal : PayPal users can easily use Xoom, making the process smoother for those already familiar with PayPal.
  • Withdrawal options : Recipients can choose to receive the money in their bank account, at retail locations, or in cash.

Disadvantages:

  • High fees : Transfer fees may be higher than some competitors, especially for fast transfers.
  • Country limits : Xoom is not available in all countries, which may restrict its use for some users.

WorldRemit

Advantage:

  • competitive rates : WorldRemit offers generally lower transfer fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
  • Wide range of countries : WorldRemit supports a large number of countries, providing more flexibility for users.
  • Varied options : Users can send money to bank accounts, mobile wallets, or in cash, allowing for flexibility to suit recipients' needs.

Disadvantages:

  • Transfer delay : While many transfers are fast, some may take longer, depending on the payment method and destination country.
  • Customer Service : Some users report difficulties with customer service, particularly in the event of disputes.

Conclusion

Choosing between Xoom and WorldRemit depends on the user's priorities, whether that's speed, cost, or availability. Xoom is best for fast transfers, while WorldRemit is often more cost-effective.

It's up to you to play, share, like and give us your opinion in comments

I am a Doctor in Finance and an Expert in Islamic Finance. Business consultant, I am also a Teacher-Researcher at the High Institute of Commerce and Management, Bamenda of University. Group Founder Finance de Demain and author of several books and scientific articles.

101 comments on “How to create a PayPal account in Africa?"

  1. I tried to open my PayPal account trying to use a number from Morocco, they texted a code to that number that I couldn't read.
    How is it possible to open a professional account from Cameroon?
    Ferdinand.

  2. Thank you for this brilliant explanation which still enlighten me. However, I know how to withdraw the money on the card since this card is acquired in a bank in a country where paypal is not accepted, while we opened a paypal account on a Moroccan address. Thanks one more.

    • What you need to know is that the card you are going to create is international (Visa or Master) and therefore acceptable in many countries. Do not worry about it. After transferring the funds, you can take possession in any country where this bank is established.

      • Thank you for the promptness of your response. I just did the merchant id configuration and everything else with a paypal business account on an address in Morocco; it worked and the paypal button appears fine. But on the other hand, I would like to setup our West African CFA currency but when I do, paypal turns off automatically.

        Kind regards.

        • When you put PayPal on your site, the currency of the site cannot be in CFA francs. Everything except the fcfa, otherwise PayPal is automatically deactivated.

          • I AM IN BENIN. A KNOWLEDGE HAD OPENED AN ACCOUNT FOR ME FROM CHINA. NOW MY ACCOUNT IS LIMITED AND I CANNOT MAKE ANY TRANSACTIONS OR SEE MY BALANCE.
            I HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE.
            I TRY TO DELETE THE ACCOUNT BUT IT SENDS THE CODE TO THE CHINESE NUMBER WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME. RESULT PAYPAL TELLS ME THAT I CANNOT DELETE THE ACCOUNT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROOF THAT IT IS MY ACCOUNT.
            I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I CAN CREATE ANOTHER ACCOUNT WITH THE SAME EMAIL ADDRESS AND LINK THE SAME CARD TO THIS NEW ACCOUNT

        • Hello Mr
          You are well I hope.
          Please, what did you type in Google search to get the coordinates of Morocco?
          How are these coordinates presented?

    • Hello, I am in the DRC. I'm trying to create a PayPal account, but I was taken to a white blank page. How to create a PayPal account in the DRC?

  3. Hello sir, on my side when I press open a free account, the page no longer appears. How to do? I changed browsers but I still have the same problem.

  4. Hello, please I'm in Cameroon and I created a PayPal account from Cameroon and I also reside there, now I don't know if I have to link it to a card before I can do a withdrawal in Cameroon from my account also to know if it is always necessary to link it to a card to finally transfer money to another PayPal account.
    Merci!

    • Hello to you, you should know that the card associated with your Paypal account allows you to take possession of your money. however it is not important to make a Paypal-Paypal transfer. I advise you to fight for a visa or master card, it's FREE. Before having it you can make your purchase and sale operations without worries.

  5. Hello to you, you should know that the card associated with your Paypal account allows you to take possession of your money. however it is not important to make a Paypal-Paypal transfer. I advise you to fight for a visa or master card, it's FREE. Before having it you can make your purchase and sale operations without worries.

  6. Hello sir,,,, thank you for this video, I would like to know I can create my account from my phone?

    After creating my account after receiving money in my account, can I get paid in all banks? I am in Cameroun

    I would like to get into online jobs and payments are by PayPal, I would like to know if PayPal has account numbers or I just put my name linked to my account at the time of transactions

  7. Hello!
    Please, I am in Benin, how can I create my paypal account?
    Is it possible to withdraw with momo money? If yes, how?

  8. bjr moo i am in africa but i don't have a bank account and i wanted to create a paypal account to make my bunisse. so please help me.

  9. Hello please I would like to know how we can do to have the coordinates of Morocco? Is it possible for you to help me on this?

  10. Hello, I'm in Ivory Coast and I just created a PayPal account and it's over. Can I use it normally or will I have problems depositing and withdrawing later? Thank you for answering me

  11. Hello, I am in Madagascar and I would also like to create my Paypal account, and link it directly to my mobile money account. I just wanted to know if I could also follow this same procedure or use the coordinates of La Réunion for example. And I also don't know how to obtain a professional email address. I really need your help
    Thank you

  12. Hello,
    Thanks for these tips.
    I would like to know if I can create a PayPal account and associate it with a MasterCard from a bank account in France? If so, won't it cost me too much, since it's a foreign card?
    Goods.

  13. Thank you very much for the clarification
    I am in Benin but if I create my PayPal account with the number of a country where PayPal is usual, that is to say transfer, withdraw and send money how can I have the confirmation code to confirm my account and an ideal address in the chosen country??
    thank you in advance

  14. Bonsoir
    I would like to know if it is possible to find a United States address and use it for the account instead of an eligible country in Africa

  15. Hello, I am in the Democratic Republic of Congo and I am trying to open a PayPal account but nothing is done, I am always told that an error has occurred even though I am following the instructions correctly, what should I do?

  16. Are people living in eligible countries obliged to create a professional account in order to be able to withdraw money.
    If these people residing in the eligible countries can withdraw money through their individual account, is it possible to use the contact details of a person living in the USA, while keeping my DRC telephone number.

  17. Hello I am in the DRC but when I try to open the site to create my account it sees me on a blank page writing as an error message

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