Countries:
Kenya, South Africa
Topics:
Finance, Technology
Languages:
English

Collins asks “Is PayPal effective in Africa?”: I believe that maybe Paypal does not recognize the potential and opportunities available in Africa and it is time we trumpeted this cause and let them know they are loosing out and costing us!

3 comments

  • JontyPTraveler

    This is an important topic to me as I and some of my clients have been interested in having an efficient way of transferring money to Africa for the sale of musical instruments, jewelery or clothing.

    Paypal is an amazingly easy to set up and flexible service which allows the acceptance of credit card payments over the internet. The main requirement to having a Paypal account is to have a bank account in a country that Paypal operates.

    The ease by which a UK or US merchant can set up an e-commerce website (using free open source technology like os-commerce or zencart) and begin processing payments using Paypal with a very small initial investment is driving a small retail revolution in the countries where these technologies are readily available.

    The absence of this opportunity from African countries is a problem I would like to see remedied. It would be wonderful if Paypal opened up service to Africa, though it does not seem that will be happening soon. I’m not sure if there is a possible solution in some sort of service based in countries with access to Paypal which provides access to people in African countries. Another aspect the the problem is that many Africans don’t have bank accounts. Bank fees are relatively much higher in Africa. So, any meaningful service would also constitute a way for small African merchants to access basic financial services as well as the global internet market.

    All the Best,
    Jonty

    # 2008-07-10 at 1:36 am
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  • Steve

    Thisa is a timely topic. I have always wondered why Paypla has restricted itself from Africa. I have made internet purchases through very cumbersome online financial service providers but based on what I have read about Paypal, I think the company should consider extending services at least to countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt et al.

    I offer services to foreign clients and they always ask me if they can pay me through Paypal, which is easier and faster for them.

    Africa will soon be wired through sub-marine cable and the voilume of online transactions is expected to go high. It would only be good to have Paypal as one of the financial services around.

    Best
    Steve

    # 2008-07-22 at 14:32 pm
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  • Wilfred Awia Tunyira

    I do have a problem with pay pal. I have to accept some online payments in my accounts via pay pal but can’t because pay pal is not extended to my country Ghana. I wish that they can help.

    # 2008-08-21 at 17:06 pm
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