How to withdraw Fiverr and Upwork earnings in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya
Fiverr holds earnings for a clearance period, then lets you withdraw by the methods your country supports. Upwork offers direct to local bank in some countries, plus Payoneer, wire and, for US bank accounts, Direct to U.S. Bank. Agencies that bill as companies can route both to a USD account in the company's name.
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Africa has one of the fastest-growing freelance workforces in the world, and Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana are among the largest sources of talent on Fiverr and Upwork. Getting work is one challenge. Getting the money out at a fair cost is another, and the options differ by country.
How does Fiverr pay sellers?
When an order completes, the earnings go into a clearance period: 14 days for most sellers, 7 days for Top Rated sellers. After that, they become available to withdraw. The methods you can use depend on the country in your account, and typically include PayPal where it is available, Payoneer, and bank transfer.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Order completed | Earnings shown as pending |
| 14 days (7 for Top Rated) | Earnings become available |
| Withdrawal | Sent by the method you linked |
| Conversion | Usually when the money reaches a local-currency account |
Fiverr's fee is taken from each order before earnings appear. Each withdrawal method adds its own fee.
How does Upwork pay freelancers?
Upwork shows the withdrawal methods available for your country in the Get Paid settings. Common ones for freelancers in Africa:
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Direct to local bank | Available in some countries, in local currency |
| Payoneer | Widely used across Africa |
| Wire transfer (USD) | Higher fee; intermediary and receiving bank charges may apply |
| Direct to U.S. Bank | For a US bank account in your name; a $2.99 fee was reported for non-US tax addresses from 1 September 2026 |
| M-Pesa (Kenya) | Check whether it is offered for your account |
Fees and methods change, so check the current list in your account before choosing.
What is the real cost of withdrawing?
Usually the conversion, not the fee. A $3 withdrawal fee matters less than a 3% margin on converting $3,000 to naira or cedis. Compare the amount that lands in your local account, not the headline fee. Our article on the mid-market rate and FX markup shows how to check.
Country notes
- Nigeria: PayPal accounts registered in Nigeria have long been limited to sending, so PayPal is not a withdrawal route for most. See receiving PayPal in Africa.
- Ghana: Direct local bank options have been limited; many freelancers use Payoneer or a USD account.
- Kenya: Bank, Payoneer and M-Pesa routes are common; PayPal to M-Pesa now runs inside the M-PESA app.
What changes when you become an agency?
Freelancers who grow into agencies often register a company, hire, and start billing clients outside the platforms. At that point the payouts should go to the company, not a personal account. Upwork has agency accounts, and Fiverr has business options. Our guide to Upwork payments to a company account covers the setup.
How do you avoid account holds?
- Keep your name, address and tax details identical across the platform and the withdrawal account.
- Never use someone else's account or a borrowed address.
- Expect a short hold after changing payout details.
- Withdraw regularly rather than holding large balances on the platform.
A USD account for your company
Rivet opens accounts for registered companies in the countries we support, with USD account details in the company's own name on the free plan. Agencies use them as the withdrawal destination for platforms that support US bank details, and for direct ACH and wire payments from clients, then convert to local currency when they need it.
Questions people ask
What is the best way to withdraw from Upwork in Nigeria?
It depends on the options Upwork shows for your account. Many Nigerian freelancers use Payoneer or a USD account with US bank details through Direct to U.S. Bank. Compare the withdrawal fee and the rate you get when converting to naira.
Why can't I withdraw from Fiverr?
Common reasons are earnings still in the clearance period, an unverified account, a withdrawal method not linked or not available in your country, or a security hold after changing details.
Can I withdraw Upwork earnings to M-Pesa?
Check Upwork's withdrawal methods for Kenya in your account. Where M-Pesa is not offered directly, freelancers withdraw to a bank or Payoneer and move it to M-Pesa from there.
Is it legal to use a US bank account to receive Upwork payments from Africa?
Yes, if the account is properly opened in your or your company's name with a provider that serves your country. Using someone else's account breaks the platforms' terms and can get your account suspended.
Sources
Rashidatou writes Rivet's guides to how money moves between countries: the payment rails, what each one costs, and the account details a company needs to get paid in another currency. Every figure in Rashidatou's articles is traced to the scheme rulebook, the regulator or the provider's published price list, and those sources are listed at the end.
More from Rashidatou K. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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