Sade is a freelance brand designer in Lagos. Last month, a client in Manchester agreed to pay her £800 for a rebrand. There was one problem. Her client wanted to pay in pounds from a UK business bank account, and Sade only had a Nigerian one. Like many Nigerians who work with international clients, she needed a simple way to receive GBP and EUR deposits in Nigeria without losing money or time to complicated workarounds.
If you are in the same position, this guide is for you. It explains how GBP and EUR deposits in Nigeria work, who can send you money, what to watch out for, and how Cleva makes the process easier.
Why more Nigerians need GBP and EUR deposits
More Nigerians now work with clients, employers, and customers in the UK and Europe. These senders usually prefer to pay in their local currency, using local bank details. A UK client expects a sort code and account number. A client in Germany or France expects an IBAN.
Without local account details, the sender often has to use a slower, more expensive international transfer, or the payment gets delayed or rejected. Having GBP and EUR deposits arrive through dedicated account details solves this. Your sender pays like they would pay anyone else in their country.
How GBP and EUR deposits in Nigeria work with Cleva
Cleva is a Nigerian fintech platform, backed by Y Combinator, that gives people access to USD accounts, a virtual dollar card, and tools for receiving money from abroad. With Cleva, eligible users can now request GBP and EUR account details and share them with senders.
Here is what happens next. When a GBP or EUR payment arrives, Cleva automatically converts it to USD and credits your USD balance. You can still see the original amount, the exchange rate, and the converted value in your transaction history. For a deeper walkthrough, read our full guide to receiving GBP and EUR payments with Cleva.
Cleva charges 0.8% on GBP and EUR deposits, with a minimum fee of $2 and a maximum of $10. These deposits are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and payments typically arrive within 5 minutes.
Who can send you GBP and EUR deposits in Nigeria?
Whether you are receiving a salary, client payment, business payment, or money through a supported payment platform, you can request your GBP or EUR account details and share them with your sender.
Please note that these account details do not support third-party deposits, meaning direct transfers from another person’s personal bank account. However, third-party payments from platforms like Wise, PayPal, Revolut, and Payoneer are supported.
In practice:
- Supported: Payments from a business account, such as an employer or client’s company account, payouts from Wise, PayPal, Revolut, or Payoneer, and transfers from a family member with the same last name.
- Not supported: Transfers from any other individual’s personal bank account, including a friend’s, colleague’s, or client’s.
So if Sade’s client asks a friend to pay on his behalf from a personal account, the deposit will not go through. Her client should pay from an official business account, such as his company’s account, or use a supported platform like Wise, PayPal, Revolut, or Payoneer.
Common questions about GBP and EUR deposits on Cleva
1. Why is my name not on my GBP account?
Your EUR account is set up in your own name. GBP accounts are currently not provisioned in your personal name, and the default account name is Bridge Building. This does not mean anything is wrong. The account number is unique to you, and your GBP payment still lands in your dedicated account. Tell your sender they may see this name and should enter the details exactly as shown.
2. Why do my IBAN and EUR account details look the same?
In the euro payment system, the IBAN is the account number. So your IBAN and EUR account number are the same string of characters, and that is how it should be.
3. Can I link my GBP or EUR account to PayPal?
Yes. Payments sent from platforms like PayPal to your GBP and EUR account details are supported.
4. Can I send USD to my GBP or EUR account?
These accounts are designed to receive payments in their own currencies. If you need to receive USD, use your Cleva USD account details instead.
Tips for receiving smooth GBP and EUR deposits
- Confirm with your sender that they are paying in the right currency.
- Copy your account details directly from your Cleva app.
- Ask your sender to pay from an official business account or a supported platform.
- Give your sender a heads-up that “Bridge Building” may appear as the GBP account name.
How to start receiving GBP and EUR deposits with Cleva
If you already have a Cleva account, getting your details takes a few steps. Kindly log in to your account, click Add Funds, select From GBP or From EUR, and proceed to generate your account details. Then share them with your sender.
If you are new to Cleva, download the app and create your account first. Once you are set up, you can request your GBP or EUR account details and start receiving payments from clients and employers abroad.
Conclusion
GBP and EUR deposits in Nigeria do not have to be stressful. With the right account details, a supported payment method, and a clear idea of what to expect, getting paid from the UK and Europe becomes simple. Sade’s client sent the £800 from his company’s business account, and a few minutes later the money showed up as USD in her Cleva balance, with the original GBP amount and exchange rate in her transaction history.
Your next GBP or EUR payment can land in minutes. Download Cleva, generate your account details, and start receiving payments from the UK and Europe today.
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