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PayPal Business account review Africa [2026]: Features, fees and more

Last update: June 23, 2026

Contents

Can your business receive payments through PayPal in Africa? This PayPal review breaks down features and fees for accounts in Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana

Key takeaways

PayPal Business accounts are available only in Morocco and Kenya, allowing businesses to receive online payments
Nigerian users can open personal PayPal accounts, but they can only be used to make payments online and cannot receive funds¹
PayPal is currently not operational in Ghana
WorldFirst offers multi-currency business accounts supporting 15+ currencies for sending, receiving and holding funds

PayPal is an international payments provider that offers personal and business accounts for individuals and businesses in global trade.² However, the features and account capabilities available can vary by country.

In this PayPal review, we examine PayPal Business account features, country availability, fees and payment capabilities across key African markets, and compare it with WorldFirst.

What is PayPal?

PayPal is a digital payments platform that allows individuals and businesses to send and receive payments online.² It supports e-commerce transactions, invoicing, international payments and payment processing across multiple countries.^2,7

Account availability and functionality vary across different countries:

Nigeria: Only personal PayPal accounts are available in Nigeria, and they only support sending payments.¹ Business accounts and receiving payments is not supported
Morocco and Kenya: PayPal Business accounts are available in Morocco and Kenya, but they are receive-only^2,3
Ghana: PayPal does not currently operate in Ghana

Note: PayPal does not clearly specify which currencies are supported for sending and receiving funds in these regions

Quick look: Pros and cons of PayPal

Pros	Cons
Integrates with e-commerce platforms and business tools⁴ No set-up/monthly fee to open a business account² PayPal online checkout allows various payment methods like credit/debit cards⁵	PayPal does not clearly specify on its website whether users can hold foreign currencies or maintain balances in multiple currencies Users in Kenya and Morocco cannot send payments as the PayPal accounts are receive only Business account is not available in Nigeria PayPal is currently unavailable in Ghana

PayPal business account fees: The breakdown

Fee type	PayPal Business fees⁶
Monthly fee	Zero
Opening a business account	Zero
Annual account fee	Zero
Receiving funds	4.40% + fixed fee per transaction
Holding funds in multiple currencies	Not specified
Sending payments to other PayPal accounts	Not supported
Sending payments to other accounts	Not supported
Currency conversion	4%
Business card	Not supported

*Fees checked in June, 2026

How does PayPal work?

Businesses can create a PayPal Business account, connect it to their website or e-commerce store, and accept payments from clients worldwide. On the other hand, customers can make payments using their PayPal balance, linked bank account, debit card, or credit card.^1,7

→ If you want to open a multi-currency account to send, receive and hold funds, you may also want to read about PayPal alternatives

Features of PayPal

Business account and payment acceptance

PayPal Business accounts in Morocco and Kenya allow users to accept online payments.^2,3 Customers can pay using major credit and debit cards, and they do not need a PayPal account to complete a purchase.⁸

Sending payments

PayPal allows users to send payments to users internationally only via personal accounts currently.¹

Business debit card

PayPal business debit cards are not supported in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Morocco.

Marketplace and platform integrations

While you can connect an online store to a PayPal account, PayPal does not clearly indicate which e-commerce platforms are supported for integration.

How to open a PayPal Business account

Create a PayPal Business account: Visit PayPal and select the Business account option
Verify your details: Provide the required personal and business information for verification and connect your e-commerce platform if applicable
Link a local bank account: Add the bank account where you would like to receive withdrawals
Set up payment tools: Once your account is approved, you can enable checkout, invoicing, and other business tools to start accepting online payments

WorldFirst is built for global businesses

WorldFirst is a global payments provider offering multi-currency accounts. WorldFirst allows businesses to send, receive, hold and convert more than 15 currencies from a single account.

Multi-currency business account

Businesses can receive local and international payments through dedicated foreign currency accounts and manage multiple currencies from a single dashboard.

Marketplace and payment gateway integration

WorldFirst supports marketplace collections from 130+ global platforms, including Amazon, Etsy and Shopify.

Account-to-account transfers

Businesses can send money overseas to suppliers, partners and contractors from their Account at no cost.

Business payment card

The virtual business card linked directly to the account and supports spending in 150+ currencies. Businesses can create up to 20 virtual cards at no additional cost.

PayPal vs WorldFirst: Head-to-head fee comparison

Fee type	PayPal Business fees⁶	WorldFirst fees
Monthly fee	Zero	Zero
Opening a business account	Zero	Zero
Receiving funds	4.40% + fixed fee per transaction	Zero
Holding funds in multiple currencies	Not specified	Zero
Sending payments	Not supported	Refer to in-portal pricing. Vouchers may apply
Converting currencies	4%	Refer to in-portal pricing. Vouchers may apply
Business card	Not supported	Zero for up to 20 virtual cards
1688 payments	Not supported	Up to 0.8%

*Fees checked in June, 2026

FAQ

What is a PayPal business account and how does it work?

A PayPal Business account allows businesses to accept online payments, send invoices and manage transactions through PayPal’s payment platform.

Is PayPal Business available in Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana?

PayPal Business accounts are only available in Morocco and Kenya.

What fees does PayPal charge for receiving payments?

PayPal charges 4.40% + fixed fee per transaction for African accounts.

Does PayPal support holding funds in multiple currencies?

PayPal does not clarify if users in Africa can hold multiple currencies in their accounts.

Can I use a PayPal business account to pay suppliers on 1688.com?

No, you cannot use a PayPal business account to directly pay suppliers on 1688.com.

Sources:

https://www.paypal.com/ng/home
https://www.paypal.com/ma/business
https://www.paypal.com/ke/business
https://developer.paypal.com/home/
https://www.paypal.com/ke/business/accept-payments/checkout
https://www.paypal.com/ma/business/paypal-business-fees
https://www.paypal.com/ng/webapps/mpp/pay-online
https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-accept-cards-with-checkout-using-the-guest-checkout-option–help307

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.

Linna is a Senior Content Strategy Manager specializing in fintech, cross-border payments, and global ecommerce. With extensive experience in international B2B growth content, and global market expansion, she leads content initiatives that help businesses navigate cross-border trade, international payments, and digital commerce at scale.