A payment gateway is a technology that enables businesses to accept online payments, securely processing transactions between a customer and a business. These systems are vital for both online and in-person transactions, as they help businesses grow by facilitating seamless payment experiences.
The best payment gateway for Ethiopia in our rating is NOWPayments because of its seamless integration, low transaction fees, and wide support for over 350 cryptocurrencies. NOWPayments offers Ethiopian businesses an efficient and secure way to accept payments, especially for those venturing into the global digital economy.
Choosing the right payment gateway matters more than ever in 2026, especially for Ethiopia, as the country’s digital economy is evolving rapidly. As businesses expand their reach and enter the online payment space, selecting the right payment gateway can help reduce operational costs, improve customer satisfaction, and enhance payment processing efficiency. With more Ethiopian businesses embracing digital transactions, having the right tools in place is crucial to staying competitive and secure in a changing financial landscape.
Here’s a list of payment gateways for Ethiopia:
- NOWPayments
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Flutterwave
- CBE Birr
What We Considered When Choosing the Best Payment Gateway: Our Selection Criteria
When creating an unbiased comparison of the best payment gateways for Ethiopia, we focused on the features that are most critical for businesses operating in this region. Our goal was to provide a thorough evaluation of each option, ensuring that the factors most relevant to Ethiopian businesses were given priority.
Here are the three most important criteria we considered:
- Supported Cryptocurrencies & Conversion: Essential for attracting a global or tech-savvy customer base, especially as cryptocurrency adoption grows in Ethiopia.
- Integration & Developer Experience: Critical for businesses to deploy the solution quickly without heavy technical overhead, ensuring fast time-to-market.
- Fee Structure & Transparency: Directly impacts profitability and is a top concern for cost-conscious merchants, as lower fees enable higher margins.
The comparative table below summarizes how each gateway performs in these three decisive categories, which we will explore in detail for each provider.
| Payment Gateway | Payment Method Support | Integration Tools | Transaction Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOWPayments | 350+ cryptocurrencies, credit/debit cards | API, WooCommerce, Payment Button, Payment Widget, Mass Payouts | Instant for crypto, up to 24 hours for bank transfers |
| PayPal | Credit cards, PayPal balance, 25+ cryptocurrencies | API, plugins for platforms like Shopify | Instant for PayPal, 2-3 business days for withdrawals |
| Skrill | Credit/debit cards, 10+ cryptocurrencies | API, integrations for e-commerce platforms | Instant for crypto, 1-2 business days for bank transfers |
| Flutterwave | Credit/debit cards, bank transfers, mobile money | Easy API, integrations for local and international platforms | Instant for card payments, 24-48 hours for bank transfers |
| CBE Birr | Bank transfers, mobile money | Limited integrations, local API available | Instant for mobile money transfers, 1-2 business days for bank transfers |
NOWPayments
NOWPayments is the best crypto payment gateway that allows businesses to accept digital payments with minimal fees and seamless integration. It supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the most versatile payment solutions for merchants looking to accept crypto payments online. This payment gateway is ideal for businesses seeking to provide secure digital payment options, catering to the growing demand for digital wallets and cross-border payments. NOWPayments offers various payment options, including seamless integration with popular e-commerce systems, ensuring a smooth payment experience for both local and international merchants.
Payment Method Support. NOWPayments supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, including popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, as well as stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. In addition to crypto payments, it also supports traditional credit and debit card payments, providing a flexible payment method for various businesses. The wide selection of payment options enables merchants to accept online payments from a global customer base. NOWPayments offers a seamless payment experience, making it a preferred payment service provider for businesses looking for an efficient payment system.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ | ✅ |
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bank Transfer | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. NOWPayments offers competitive transaction fees, starting at just 0.5% for crypto payments. There are no setup or monthly fees, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. The low fees help merchants maintain higher profit margins while processing payments smoothly and securely. Additionally, NOWPayments doesn’t charge for fiat-to-crypto conversions, making it an appealing payment provider for digital transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | 0.5% |
| Monthly Fee | ❌ |
| Setup Fee | ❌ |
Integration Tools. NOWPayments offers a wide range of integration tools, ensuring that businesses can easily incorporate its payment solutions into their existing systems. The platform provides an easy-to-use API, WooCommerce plugin, payment buttons, and a payment widget. These payment integration tools enable merchants to accept payments in a variety of digital payment methods, from mobile payment options to cross-border payment solutions. Additionally, NOWPayments offers Mass Payouts, ideal for businesses with multiple affiliate partners or freelancers.
| Tool / Integration | Available | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| API | ✅ | Easy |
| WooCommerce Plugin | ✅ | Easy |
| Payment Button | ✅ | Instant |
| Payment Widget | ✅ | Instant |
| Mass Payouts | ✅ | Easy |
PayPal
PayPal is one of the most widely recognized payment gateways for international payments, known for its ease of use and high level of security. It allows businesses to accept credit card payments, PayPal balances, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. PayPal is especially popular for digital payment processing, supporting multiple payment options for merchants worldwide. With over 400 million active users globally, PayPal offers an unparalleled payment experience, ideal for businesses seeking cross-border payment solutions.
Payment Method Support. PayPal supports a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal balances, and cryptocurrencies. This versatility allows businesses to cater to different customer preferences, from traditional card payments to modern digital payment options. PayPal also supports multiple currencies, making it ideal for global payment solutions and international transactions. It provides a seamless payment experience, ensuring secure payment processing for businesses of all sizes.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| PayPal Balance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ | ❌ |
Transaction Fees. PayPal’s transaction fees are relatively high compared to other gateways, charging 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for domestic payments. International transactions incur an additional 1.5% fee, making it slightly more expensive for cross-border payment providers. PayPal also charges for currency conversion, which can affect merchants dealing with international payment systems. Despite the higher fees, its secure payment features and reliable payment infrastructure make it a trusted payment provider.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| International Fee | 1.5% |
| Currency Conversion Fee | Varies |
Integration Tools. PayPal offers a comprehensive set of integration tools, including an API, e-commerce plugins for platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, and payment buttons. These tools ensure merchants can accept online payments with ease and integrate PayPal into their existing payment systems seamlessly. PayPal’s integration solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, allowing for fast and easy setup. Additionally, PayPal supports recurring billing and invoicing, making it an ideal payment service provider for subscription-based services.
| Tool / Integration | Available | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| API | ✅ | Easy |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ | Easy |
| Payment Buttons | ✅ | Instant |
Skrill
Skrill is a digital wallet and payment gateway that supports a wide range of payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers. It is widely used for digital payment services, offering a secure and fast way to accept payments both locally and internationally. Known for its strong security measures and fraud protection, Skrill provides a robust payment solution for businesses. Additionally, it supports over 40 currencies, making it a great choice for international payment gateways.
Payment Method Support. Skrill offers various payment options, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and over 10 cryptocurrencies. This range of payment methods allows merchants to cater to a broad audience, from Ethiopian payments to global payment solutions. Skrill also supports multiple currencies, which is crucial for businesses looking to expand international payment services. These flexible payment methods ensure a wide customer base and smoother payment processing.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bank Transfer | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. Skrill’s transaction fees start at 2.99% for domestic payments. International payments incur an additional fee, and currency conversion charges are 3.99%. Skrill also applies withdrawal fees, depending on the withdrawal method chosen. Despite the slightly higher fees, Skrill offers a secure payment platform that appeals to businesses seeking a reliable digital payment solution for global transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | 2.99% |
| International Fee | Varies |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 3.99% |
Integration Tools. Skrill provides an easy-to-integrate API and plugins for major e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce and Shopify. These tools make it easy for businesses to integrate Skrill with their payment systems. Skrill also offers a user-friendly dashboard for managing online payments and transaction history, enhancing the payment experience for merchants. The integration tools are designed for scalability, making Skrill suitable for both small and large businesses.
| Tool / Integration | Available | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| API | ✅ | Easy |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ | Easy |
| Payment Dashboard | ✅ | Easy |
Flutterwave
Flutterwave is a payment gateway that offers businesses a seamless way to accept payments from both local and international customers. It supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards, mobile payment, and bank transfers, making it a versatile solution. Flutterwave is especially popular among businesses in Ethiopia, providing tailored solutions for the local payment system needs. The payment provider offers an easy-to-use API, enabling businesses to easily integrate the system into their existing payment infrastructure.
Payment Method Support. Flutterwave supports credit/debit cards, mobile money, and bank transfers, allowing merchants to serve both local and international customers. It also provides support for Ethiopian payment methods, making it an essential tool for businesses operating in Ethiopia. The ability to accept mobile payments is particularly beneficial in Ethiopia, where mobile money usage is on the rise. Additionally, Flutterwave supports over 150 currencies, enabling cross-border payments for businesses with international customers.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile Money | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bank Transfer | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. Flutterwave charges 1% per transaction, which is an affordable rate for both local and international payments. The transparent pricing makes it an attractive payment solution for businesses in Ethiopia. Currency conversion fees are applied for international transactions, but the rates are competitive compared to other providers. Overall, Flutterwave offers a seamless payment experience, especially for Ethiopian merchants looking to process both local and international transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | 1% |
| Currency Conversion Fee | Varies |
Integration Tools. Flutterwave offers an easy-to-integrate API, along with pre-built plugins for popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. These integration tools make it easy for businesses to start accepting online payments without requiring advanced technical skills. Flutterwave also provides features like payment links, which allow merchants to easily accept payments from customers via QR code payments or links. The platform supports scalable payment solutions, ensuring businesses can grow without needing to switch providers.
| Tool / Integration | Available | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| API | ✅ | Easy |
| E-commerce Plugins | ✅ | Easy |
| Payment Links | ✅ | Instant |
CBE Birr
CBE Birr is Ethiopia’s local mobile payment service, providing businesses with a solution to accept payments through mobile wallets. This payment system is ideal for Ethiopian merchants, as it is integrated with local banking infrastructure, making payments in Ethiopia more efficient. CBE Birr allows businesses to handle local payment methods without the need for international payment gateways. It is a growing service in the Ethiopian digital economy, allowing businesses to offer seamless payments to their customers.
Payment Method Support. CBE Birr supports mobile payments and bank transfers, which are widely used in Ethiopia. While it does not yet support international payment methods or cryptocurrencies, its focus on local payment systems makes it highly relevant for Ethiopian businesses. The ability to accept payments via mobile wallets ensures quick and easy transactions for local customers. CBE Birr is a reliable payment option for businesses looking to cater to the Ethiopian payment market.
| Payment Method | Accept | Withdraw |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Money | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bank Transfer | ✅ | ✅ |
Transaction Fees. CBE Birr offers low transaction fees, which is appealing for local businesses. There are no setup or monthly fees, and transaction costs are minimal, making it an affordable payment provider. CBE Birr’s low fees make it a cost-effective solution for Ethiopian businesses processing payments locally. However, businesses should note that CBE Birr does not yet support international payments, limiting its ability to cater to cross-border transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fee | Low |
| Monthly Fee | ❌ |
| Setup Fee | ❌ |
Integration Tools. CBE Birr provides a local API for businesses to integrate its payment solutions into their websites or apps. While integration options are more limited compared to global payment gateways, it is still an essential tool for businesses focused on local payment acceptance. The platform is simple to use for local merchants and supports secure digital payment processing. However, businesses looking for more scalable payment solutions may find the integration options limited compared to other providers.
| Tool / Integration | Available |
|---|---|
| API | ✅ |
| E-commerce Plugins | ❌ |
| Payment Links | ✅ |
Conclusion
In this review, we’ve analyzed the main payment gateways available for businesses in Ethiopia. The gateways we’ve covered include NOWPayments, PayPal, Skrill, Flutterwave, and CBE Birr. Each of these providers offers valuable payment solutions, but when focusing on Ethiopia’s unique business landscape, NOWPayments stands out as the best choice.
NOWPayments is the optimal solution for businesses in Ethiopia due to its flexibility in supporting over 350 cryptocurrencies, its seamless integration tools, and its competitive transaction fees. By offering a wide range of payment options, including traditional credit and debit cards alongside digital currencies, NOWPayments empowers Ethiopian businesses to tap into the global digital economy while minimizing costs. Additionally, its integration with popular platforms like WooCommerce and its secure digital payment system make it an attractive choice for businesses looking to expand their online payment systems.