What Is Paysafecard? A Simple Guide for Nigerians
· Updated · 2 min read
Short answer: Paysafecard is a prepaid online payment voucher, popular in the UK and Europe. You buy it with cash or a card and get a 16-digit PIN; whoever has the PIN can spend its value online, without a bank account. It's a legitimate payment method, and while it isn't a store gift card, it's bought and sold like one. In Nigeria you can sell a Paysafecard for naira on KWIQ, which shows the naira amount before you confirm.
A cousin in Manchester wanted to send Ngozi something for her birthday. Bank transfers were slow, so she bought a voucher at a corner shop and sent a photo of the receipt: a long number, "€50", and the word Paysafecard. Ngozi had never heard of it.
If that's you, here's what you're holding and what you can do with it.
What a Paysafecard is
Paysafecard is a prepaid way to pay online without a bank card. Someone buys a voucher, usually at a shop or online, and gets a 16-digit PIN. That PIN carries the value. To pay, you choose Paysafecard at an online checkout and enter the PIN; the amount comes off its balance.
| Paysafecard | A store gift card | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's spent | Many online shops and services that accept Paysafecard | One brand (Amazon, Steam, Apple) |
| What carries the value | A 16-digit PIN | A code or card number |
| Needs a bank account? | No | No |
| Common values | Set amounts in the local currency, such as €10 to €100 | Varies by brand |
Read more about its rules on Paysafecard's own website.
Why it matters that the PIN is the money
There's no name on a Paysafecard. Whoever has the PIN can spend it, and once it's spent, it's gone. That's what makes it convenient, and what makes it a favourite of scammers. Treat the PIN like cash: our post on Paysafecard scams shows the tricks to watch for, and the Paysafecard PIN explained covers the details.
What you can do with one in Nigeria
You have two options:
- Spend it online, at a site that accepts Paysafecard and works from Nigeria. See how to use a Paysafecard online.
- Sell it for naira. On KWIQ, choose Paysafecard in the gift card section, enter the value and add the PIN as the app asks. The app shows the rate and the naira amount before you confirm, and you're paid once the card is checked. Then withdraw to any Nigerian bank account.
Before selling, check the balance on Paysafecard's own site, and don't spend any of it first.
Is it worth selling?
That depends on the rate on the day, which you can see on the sell Paysafecard page or in the gift card rate calculator. If you'd rather hold dollar value, naira from a gift card sale can be swapped to USDT in the KWIQ app; paid in gift cards? ask for USDT next time explains why some people prefer it.
Ready when your next voucher arrives
Download the KWIQ app to sell Paysafecards and other gift cards for naira, or create a free account on the web if your phone is short on storage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paysafecard a gift card?
Not exactly. A gift card is spent at one brand, while a Paysafecard is a prepaid payment voucher accepted by many online shops and services. It's sold, gifted and traded the same way, which is why gift card apps list it.
Is Paysafecard legit?
Yes. It's an established prepaid payment method run by the Paysafe group and sold in many countries. What isn't legit are the scams that use it: fake 'fines', 'free codes' and anyone asking you to read out a PIN.
Can I use Paysafecard in Nigeria?
Paysafecard is mainly sold and used in Europe and a few other regions. Nigerians most often receive one from someone abroad. You can sell it for naira on KWIQ and withdraw to any Nigerian bank.
Written by
Mercy Ikeh
Technical Writer at KWIQ
Writes KWIQ’s guides on crypto, payments and keeping your money safe online.
