UPDATE: Right now the cards that are working online and with PayPal in Zimbabwe are the USD pre-funded MasterCard/Visa cards which are being issued by some banks for example FBC, Steward Bank, NMB… Some banks still have well functioning non pre-funded MasterCard/Visa debit cards but with strict restrictions on online payments. Please check with your bank about online payments.
Since we posted that PayPal will now work in Zimbabwe this week, we have been inundated with questions in the comments, in our WhatsApp groups, emails, on Techzim Answers, and on Facebook. Some are complaining that the service is not live yet and that PayPal or Techzim (or Reuters) spoke too soon. Some just want to know how they can get started. Some are even asking who in Zimbabwe is “facilitating” PayPal accounts. The kind of facilitation where people buy “WhatsApp” on the streets in Harare.
So the purpose of this article is to essentially confirm that you can open a PayPal account and you don’t really need to assistance from a stranger to do it. Just go to paypal.co.zw, and in the right top corner of the website, click on “Sign up” to register for an account:
You will need to choose if you want a business account (that is if you’re looking to sell stuff online) or, for most of us, just a personal account. Earlier reports by by Reuters had indicated that PayPal wasn’t available for merchants locally,but looking at this sign up page, it doesn’t seem so.
You can link your new PayPal account to your locally issued MasterCard or VISA card to start using PayPal immediately to buy stuff on sites like eBay and millions of other small and large merchants worldwide.
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61 comments
Had an account that was New Zealand based is it possible to switch it to Zimbabwe instead of signing up again
Log into the account, click on profile and click on Close Account. Once the account is closed sign up for the service using a Zim address.
THEN THE NEXT ISSUE IS HOW DO WE DEPOSIT MOEY INTO THE ACCOUNT
THEN THE NEXT ISSUE IS HOW DO WE DEPOSIT MONEY INTO THE ACCOUNT
my local issued FBC Mastercard is not being accepted despite the fact that my account has been completed
Is it a pre-paid Mastercard? That might be the issue
yep same boat here.fialed to buy from ebay .everything else verification etc is completed as well.
I am very disappointed that you did not bother to open a merchant account and see. Paypal wants to drain money from Zimbabwe by opening all avenues for us to send out while not allowing us to receive any. I personally deplore and frown upon this one way traffic system for money and hope YOU will highlight in your next article. This is once again colonialism in a different jacket.
I do not think Paypal is doing anything wrong. You need to look at this from a risk perspective. I am pretty sure that merchants from Africa will be able to sell but it would take 30 days for the money to be cleared for withdrawal. I remember that was the case 5 years ago when I was still in Botswana. Zimbabwe has to become predictable and safe (financially) for Paypal to have the confidence to allow fast flow of cash around. It is however an opportunity for homegrown alternatives to take that space.
hie
if you are using an FBC card its not a problem this is the response i got when i contacted paypal support and it worked
I understand that you do not see the option to add funds to your PayPal account. It is my pleasure to assist you today.
At this time, the add funds feature is not yet available. I’m glad to inform you that you don’t need to add funds to your PayPal account. Since you have your MasterCard ending in **** on registered and confirmed on your account, everytime you send payments, we will automatically charge your card.
What about the newly issued Ecocash Debit MasterCards, do they transact o Paypal. Mine was refused for registration with Paypal. Anyone with a different experience?
And be wary of fake PayPal emails guys. NEVER try paying online using a PC without an up to date anti virus . PayPal newbies be warned.
The ability to buy is commendable. The question is are we able to set up company (Business) paypal accounts that can allow for foreign countries to transact or is it just on the level of the buyer and not the seller? The reason why I ask is that even when receiving money sent there a certain limitations that make using the platform for business very hard. How is this being solved?
Help me pliz. I want to open a paypal account in Zimbambwe but I dont know the postal code. I’m in Masvingo
hello everyone! i am planing to start my busness and buyind things outside zimbabwe on line. i am looking forward how to start sending money and i don’t know how to open paypal account. can you assist me please,
hey carine go to http://www.paypal.co.zw
Zimbabwe does not have postal codes so put in 0000 in that field.
whats the postal code for harare, i’m failing to open an account
Zimbabwe does not have postal codes so put in 0000 in that field.
is it compatible with the econet debit card ?
Please help me to link it to the econet debit card. Its giving an error message. The paypal account is based in the Netherlands
You have to open an Zimbabwe account if you want to use a Zimbabwean card.
i personally opened a paypal account after nights of research fuuu ….here is what i did i stay in norton so i filled out my details linked my fbc mastercard perfectly opened an ebay account purchaseda used iphone …which was only being shipped in the united states so i opened anothet account with usabox they gave me a virtual adress wer i can get my products shipped , then they reship to zim pretty easy
how did you open using a fbc card
i personally opened a paypal account after nights of research fuuu ….here is what i did i stay in norton so i filled out my details linked my fbc mastercard perfectly opened an ebay account purchaseda used iphone …which was only being shipped in the united states so i opened anothet account with usabox they gave me a virtual adress wer i can get my products shipped , then they reship to zim pretty easy
how did you open using an fbc mastercard???
I have been trying to create a paypal account but I keep getting this error message: Some information is incorrect or missing. Please correct your entries and try again. But all the information i have filled in is correct. What do I do?
me too
i wld want to open an account bt i don have those master cards or debit cards,what do i do i need to buy something online,Thank you
@Tracy i think if you have an account with any bank ask for a mastercard facility at you bank…or open an fbc mastercard
Hie. I have been trying to sign up on PayPal but the page refuses my password. I have tried several passwords to no avail. how can I overcome this problem?
hello, i have failed to open a paypal account even with the 0000 code.can any one help me.
I opened a PayPal account and i also joined surverspaid and i didnot receive a confirmation email with a membership number. Now im failing to survery.
Please help. I paid $1.95 to PayPal and $39.00 to surveryspaid.
Chigiji GT
I have got an econet platinum master card ,and I’m failing to register for pay pal . Please help
how can i recieve money with my paypal acc? is it possible? wat do i hv to do?
how are you.i am constantly receiving a notification that an error has occurred whenever i sign up but my details will be correct.On the field where it is written region/province/state what do i include.I stay in Marondera
i think its Mashonaland East or something, check on your map
please help me out Im from Zimbabwe, I want to buy using the option of installments via paypal but it doesn’t have that option in Zimbabwe. so how can I do that whilst you are saying paypal is now functional in Zimbabwe?
my email address :- tshabanesbert@gmail.com
Which digits are the ‘Card Security Code’ on the ‘Econet Virtual Card Number’?
Good afternoon. May you please assist, it has been almost 2 weeks when i am failing to open paypal account. After completing filling the arears, iam a message is always displayed that “some information is missing or the is incorrect information”. Please may you assist as i want to use the account urgently. You urgent response is greatly appreciated.
Wellington
Use the the sign-up button on the top right corner of the website ,it will take you to a different page
I am struggling to open a paypal account.Does this facility really wek from the zim sideMay you please assist, it has been almost 2 weeks when i am failing to open paypal account. After completing filling the arears, iam a message is always displayed that “some information is missing or the is incorrect information”. Please may you assist as i want to use the account urgently. You urgent response is greatly appreciated.
have been trying to add my bank account on paypal but its refusing. its saying the routing number im entering is not of a united states bank so have closed my account and opened it again making sure i have registered through a zimbabwe forum but still the country
on the add my bank account page is still united states. what can i possible dodo
what can i possibly do? could it be because have openef a personal account instead of a business
I would like to ask if its possible to open a pay pal account using my barclays account in Zimbabwe
Hi I am having a problem in verifying my email address and now my account has limited privileges. help out please
does a debit card work ?????? i only have a debit card and an account at stanbic bank
how did goods we purchase from abroad reacc zimbabwe and how long will it take???
Would it be a good idea to get a PayPal account from Auction Essistance?
Hie,urgently need to open a PayPal account. What’s Zimbabwe zip code ?
+263
Hi all… Juat thoight i would lwave thos message for you… I am in Harare and have a paypal account which is linked to my ecocash master card. I have purchased items from ebay, aliexpress and had things shipped from the US and Japan with ease. Its prettt basic and easy to use.
Opening up your new account… Fill in all of your details and address… If you do not put in a zip ppstal cose then it will come back woth an error or incomplete… Zimbabwe does not have pastal codes so 0000 os what we use. For state/province i use Masgonaland East (as i am in Harare)… If toy dont know what province you are in look it up on your map or google.
Payment… I have li ked mine to ecocash master card. I got my virtual master card number and ised that. Type it in. My name, card number and the 3 digit securiry code wgich they send you with your number.. I think its calld the ccv number or something, along with your exp date for the virtual card (wgich is always 14 days)…
Paypal will then verify your card by extracting less than $2 from your card.. After verofication your card will then reimburse yoir card…
Then you are set to go… With the ecocash virtual.card you will.need to put in your new number each time you make a purchase after the 14 days of the card being valid. Its easy so not a stress at all..
Do you have offices where I can come and get help. I am completing the form but I keep getting this message: Some required information is missing or incomplete. Please correct your entries and try again.
I am super impressed by this pay pal application. Had been struggling to pay for visa online for 2 weeks with bank card, signed up and in 2 mins the payment went through. Excellent service …….5 stars from me for this
Getting payments by virtual ecocash mastercard is easy but how do we get paid for the things we want to sell . There a lot to gain from selling than buying. Has anybody got the solution to this challenge
Eben have you succeeded in receiving payment via PayPal. Im also keen to know
TIA
i have been failing to link my stanbic visa card with paypal,econet master card,can you give me a list of cards accepted by paypal.
am failing to register my account on paypal
How do u do this item
I would like to open a paypal account so I can get paid for proofeading / book reviews etc.
Is that possible? which bank do I have to go through? I deal with CBZ.