How to open a dollar account for your business online

For many African entrepreneurs, receiving international payments is one of the hardest parts of running a business. You can build a great product, close a deal with a client abroad, or export your services globally yet struggle to get paid in dollars without losing part of your income to conversion fees or complicated banking requirements.

The challenges of creating a business dollar account

Traditionally, setting up a dollar account for your business has been far from easy. Most banks require physical visits, complex documentation, and a long waiting period before approval. Even after that, businesses often face:

• Forced currency conversions that turn dollar inflows into naira immediately, erasing the value of their hard-earned income.
• Restrictions on receiving international transfers, especially from popular platforms like Wise, Deel, or Payoneer.
• Limited access to online tools for managing team payments, generating statements, or separating personal and business funds.
• Hidden or high fees that make receiving money expensive, especially for small businesses or freelancers transitioning into agencies.

These challenges leave many entrepreneurs frustrated and financially limited, making it harder to scale globally or reinvest earnings.

Cleva: A simpler way to manage business payments

Cleva, the cross-border payment company helping Africans earn and spend globally, has officially launched Cleva Business Accounts, a new solution that simplifies how African businesses receive and manage international payments.

With this launch, Cleva is tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing African entrepreneurs which is the inability to reliably receive, hold, and manage USD funds from global clients. Many businesses today rely on platforms that automatically convert international payments into local currency, resulting in value loss, limited flexibility, and stunted growth.

Cleva Business Accounts solve this by allowing verified businesses to open both USD accounts that work seamlessly for local and international transactions.

Who it’s built for

Cleva Business Accounts are designed for but not limited to:

• Freelancers transitioning into agencies who need to start receiving client payments under their business name.
• Startups hiring remote teams or managing global clients.
• Creative and digital agencies offering services like design, marketing, and software development.
• E-commerce brands selling to customers abroad.
• Exporters and logistics businesses receiving payments from global buyers.
• Consulting firms that handle large cross-border transactions.

If your business earns, spends, or saves in dollars, Cleva is built for you.

Where you can receive payments from

Your Cleva Business Account can receive funds from major global platforms and clients, including:

• Any US bank
• Upwork (with zero withdrawal fees)
• Deel
• Payoneer
• Wise
• PayPal
• Stripe (via connected platforms)
• Direct client transfers from the US.

This makes Cleva ideal for businesses that work with international clients or operate across borders.

Benefits of using Cleva Business Accounts

Cleva Business Accounts are built for but not limited to freelancers transitioning into agencies, startups managing global teams, SMEs with clients abroad, and exporters who deal with large cross-border transactions.

Key benefits include:

• Hold your business funds in USD: Businesses can now keep their earnings in USD, avoiding forced conversions and protecting revenue from currency volatility.
• Receive stablecoins and hold as USD: Receive stablecoins like USDT and USDC in your Cleva Business Account and hold as USD, giving you more flexibility in how you receive your funds.
• Receive payments from clients abroad: Cleva helps your business receive international payments easily and securely, so you can focus on growing your business, not chasing payments
• Upwork fee waiver: Withdraw your earnings directly into your Cleva Business Account and enjoy zero withdrawal fees when you get paid through Upwork.
• Access to Cleva virtual dollar card: Pay for subscriptions, tools, and ads globally, from platforms like Google, AWS, Canva, and more.
• Zero conversion fees: Convert between USD and NGN instantly, without hidden charges or delays.
• Stay financially organized: Separate business income from personal spending and access professional statements that make accounting and reporting easier.
• Operate confidently: Accept large payments without the stress of currency limits or conversion delays.
• Access business tools: Generate account statements for bookkeeping, tax filing, and investor documentation.

As earlier stated, you can pair your business account with a Cleva virtual dollar card for easier online subscriptions and business expenses in USD.

How to open a business dollar account on Cleva

Opening a business account with Cleva takes only a few steps:

1. Visit www.getcleva.com/business and click “Create an Account.”

2. Select “ Registered Business” as your account type.

3. Fill in your business details and upload required documents.

4. Complete the Know Your Business (KYB) verification process.

5. Once verified (typically within 48 hours), you’ll receive your USD account details.

If you’d like more details about the process or transaction limits, visit the Business Account FAQ section HERE.

Cleva currently supports registrations from both Nigerian and US businesses, requiring standard incorporation documents and proof of address.

Conclusion

The launch of Cleva Business Accounts reflects Cleva’s broader mission to empower businesses to operate confidently in the global economy. With features like multi-currency accounts, the ability to receive dollar and stablecoins payments and hold in USD, access to virtual dollar cards, zero conversion fees, and seamless USD to NGN transfers, Cleva makes cross-border payments simple and efficient.

Cleva also offers the lowest and most competitive fees in the industry, ensuring that more of what your business earns stays where it belongs, with you. Combined with benefits like the Upwork fee waiver and dedicated business support, Cleva gives you everything you need to manage global payments with confidence.

Sign up your business today HERE and experience smarter, faster business banking.