Does Zelle work in Nigeria? Well, the answer is a bit complicated. Zelle is closely tied to Chase Bank in the United States. Some time ago, some Nigerian banks went through audits and did not meet certain global banking standards. Because of this, Chase Bank decided to take all Nigerian banks off their approved list. So, unfortunately, Zelle isn’t available for use with Nigerian banks at the moment.
Does Zelle work in Nigeria?
Zelle isn’t available in Nigeria; it’s a service only for the United States. So, if you’re in Nigeria, you can’t sign up for Zelle because you need a US phone number and bank account. Also, if you look at the Zelle network banks, you will not find any Nigerian banks listed there.
But if you really need to use Zelle while in Nigeria, there’s a way. You can ask someone you know in the US to create a Zelle account for you. They’ll use their own US phone number and bank details to set it up, and then give you the login info.
This method is a bit complicated but it’s the only option if you must use Zelle in Nigeria. It’s mostly useful if you usually live in the US but are in Nigeria for a short visit. Your Zelle account will work fine in that case.
Don’t try to use Zelle with a VPN or proxy. It’s risky and not just about location. You also need a US phone and bank account. If your connection fails, you could lose your account.
Zelle Alternatives in Nigeria
1. Payoneer
Zelle may not work in Nigeria, but Payoneer offers a great alternative for receiving international payments. Payoneer is a global financial service platform used by freelancers and small businesses to receive payments in various international currencies.
You can link it with Nigerian banks like Kuda Bank or traditional banks like First Bank Nigeria, UBA, GT Bank, Access Bank, and Zenith Bank to withdraw your funds in Naira.
To create and link a Payoneer account, first visit the Payoneer website and sign up using your email address, government-issued ID, phone number for verification, and proof of address. During the sign-up process, you’ll be asked to link a bank account. Make sure the account is in your name.
Complete the verification process, which usually involves confirming your email and possibly submitting additional documents.
You can use Payoneer with Kuda.
- Kuda Bank is a digital-only bank in Nigeria and an official partner of Payoneer.
- Log in to the Kuda Bank app and link it to your Payoneer account.
- Specify the amount in foreign currency you want to withdraw from Payoneer. Click Withdraw to convert the funds to Naira (NGN) in your Kuda account.
- Use Kuda Bank’s debit card at local merchants or ATMs to spend the Naira you’ve withdrawn.
You can also use Payoneer with traditional Nigerian banks.
- Access your Payoneer account and go to the withdrawal section.
- Input your Nigerian bank account details.
- Select which balance (USD, JPY, EUR, etc.) you want to withdraw and specify the amount.
- Send the withdrawal and check to confirm that your local bank has received the funds.
Payoneer charges a 2% transaction fee for converting any currency to Naira. Banks may have additional fees and may take longer to process the transaction compared to Kuda Bank.
2. Western Union
Western Union also offers services such as receiving money, tracking transfers, and their global presence. First, create an account on the Western Union website www.westernunion.com. Click on the Sign Up button, fill in your personal details like name, email, and password, and verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to your email.
You also have to link your bank account. This setup is available under the Account Settings or Payment Methods. Here, you click on Add a Bank Account and enter your bank details.
When it’s time to send money, log in to your account and click Send Money. Enter the recipient’s details, including their name and bank account information. Select the amount you want to send and click Send.
Whenever you send money on Western Union, you’ll receive a tracking number, which is used to track the status of the transfer on the Western Union website. The recipient will get a notification when the money arrives. The recipient can then withdraw it from their bank account or pick up the funds from a Western Union agent location.
3. MoneyGram Nigeria
MoneyGram can also be used instead of Zelle. Nigerians will use moneygram.com.ng. First, create an account and link your bank account.
Sending money is easy. After logging in, select the Send Money option, enter the recipient’s information and the amount you wish to send, and choose your linked bank account as the payment method. After reviewing the details, click ‘Send’ to complete the transaction. Money can be received either through cash pickup or directly to your linked bank account.
Receivers in Nigeria can only receive in USD. Also, MoneyGram cash payouts in Nigeria are also only available in US dollars.
4. Remitly
Remitly is another Zelle alternative in Nigeria. Since Zelle does not work in Nigeria, consider Remitly. It’s simple to set up and use a Remitly account. Follow these steps:
1. Create a Remitly account at www.remitly.com.
2. Click on Sign Up
3. Verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to your email
The next thing is to link a bank account via the Account Settings. Enter your bank details and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process.
Once your bank account is linked, go to the Send Money section. Choose the country you want to send money to and enter the recipient’s details. Select the amount you wish to send and the payment method. Review the transaction details and click Send to complete the process.
The recipient will get a notification once the money is sent. They can then access the funds through their own bank account or a designated pick-up location, depending on the options provided by Remitly. Remitly has a tracking feature where you can monitor the status of your transaction until it’s completed.
5. Small World Money Transfer
If you’re in Nigeria, use Small World Money Transfer an alternative to Zelle. If you have sent Naira to Nigeria before using Small World, you’ll need to create a new beneficiary because transfers to Nigeria are now only paid out in US Dollars.
Ask your beneficiary for their new USD bank account details. If they don’t have one, Nigerian banks can help them open a USD domiciliary account.
Decide how much money you want to send. You can send it for cash collection or bank deposit. If you choose bank deposit, make sure the recipient has a USD domiciliary account.
You can pay using a bank transfer or a debit/credit card if you’re sending money online. If you’re using a Small World branch or agent, you can pay in cash.
Once you’ve made the payment, Small World will notify you when the money is received, usually within minutes. The maximum amount for a pick-up is 1,000 USD per transaction. If you make a mistake and send money to an NGN account instead of a USD account, the transaction will be returned, and Small World will contact you.
So, Zelle doesn’t work in Nigeria. Zelle is not available for use with Nigerian banks. It’s a service for the United States that requires a U.S. phone number and bank account. While there is a workaround like having someone in the U.S. set up an account for you, this method can be complicated and not recommended for long-term use. You can always use the alternatives to Zelle in Nigeria mentioned here to complete international transactions.
Read also: How to Transfer Money from Payoneer to Grey