This country currently has a directory entry or basic profile only; a full handbook is planned.
01Overview
- Region
- Africa
- Capital
- Abuja
- Currency
- NGN
- Languages
- English
- ISO code
- NG / NGA
Jurisdictions
- Nigeria — National level; special zones and regulated sectors have separate rules
Macro indicators such as GDP and population will be added from the World Bank in the data release (P1).
02Market Entry
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
100% foreign ownership in most sectors except oil and gas
- Applies to
- Arms, ammunition and narcotics are closed
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
03Business Formation
Common legal entity
The company form most commonly used by foreign investors for a local operating entity.
Private limited company (Ltd)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Registration authority
Primary authority for company or commercial registration.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
100% foreign ownership in most sectors except oil and gas
- Applies to
- Arms, ammunition and narcotics are closed
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Local registered address
Whether a local registered address or premises is required at incorporation.
A registered address in Nigeria is required
- Applies to
- A corporate service address may be used if it can receive statutory documents
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- Corporate Affairs Commission
Beneficial ownership register
Whether companies must keep or file ultimate beneficial owner information.
Persons with significant control must be disclosed to the CAC
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- Corporate Affairs Commission
04Taxation
Headline corporate income tax
Statutory headline rate for ordinary companies, before incentives, exemptions, thresholds or special regimes. Always read with the conditions.
30%
- Applies to
- Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (from 2026) small companies are exempt and large companies also pay a 4% development levy
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS, formerly FIRS)
Indirect tax (VAT / GST / SST)
Standard rate and type of VAT, GST or sales & service tax.
VAT 7.5%
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS, formerly FIRS)
Dividend withholding tax (non-residents)
General withholding on dividends paid to foreign shareholders, before treaty relief.
10%
- Applies to
- Reducible under the China–Nigeria treaty
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS, formerly FIRS)
Tax authority
Authority responsible for corporate tax registration and filing.
Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS, formerly FIRS)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- State Taxation Administration Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS, formerly FIRS)
Tax treaty with China
Whether a double taxation agreement with China is in force. Rates and conditions per the treaty text.
In force
- Applies to
- Rates and conditions per the treaty text and STA publications
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- State Taxation Administration (China) State Taxation Administration
05Banking & Payments
Exchange controls
Whether general exchange controls or cross-border fund rules apply.
FX regulated by the central bank; foreign capital needs a Certificate of Capital Importation to repatriate profits
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Banking & financial regulator
Primary regulator for banking and foreign exchange.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
06Employment
Foreign employee work permit
Main permit types needed for foreign employees to work legally.
Expatriate quota plus work permit
- Applies to
- Visa administration tightened in 2025
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Labour & work permit authority
Authority for labour rules and foreign employee work permits.
Ministry of Interior and Immigration Service
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Social security contributions
Main employer social security schemes for local and foreign employees.
Contributory Pension Scheme (PenCom), Employees' Compensation (NSITF) and National Housing Fund
- Applies to
- Pension contributions are shared by employer and employee
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- National Pension Commission
07Trade & Customs
Customs authority
Authority for import/export clearance and tariffs.
Nigeria Customs Service (Customs Act 2023)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Main free trade agreements
Main regional and bilateral trade agreements relevant to Chinese exporters (not exhaustive).
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); no bilateral FTAs
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
08Investment & Manufacturing
Investment authority / agency
Body responsible for approving, registering or promoting foreign investment.
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
Free zone / SEZ regime
Whether free zones or special economic zones operate under rules different from the mainland.
Export processing and free zones (NEPZA)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
09Digital & IP
Personal data protection law
Main law and regulator governing collection, use and cross-border transfer of personal data.
Nigeria Data Protection Act
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- MOFCOM
IP office
Authority for trademark and patent filing and registration.
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment – Trademarks Registry / Patents & Designs Office
- Applies to
- Trademark rights are territorial; register locally or designate via the Madrid System (check WIPO membership)
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- WIPO
10Compliance & Risk
New York Convention party
Whether the country is party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, which affects enforcing foreign arbitral awards locally.
Yes
- Applies to
- Foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Convention, subject to its limited refusal grounds
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
- Source
- UNCITRAL
Live risk monitoring
Geopolitical, conflict and trade-route risk events for Africa, monitored by our sister site Global Risk Monitor.
Global Risk Monitor · Geopolitical and trade-route risk monitoring
11Step-by-Step
- 1Decide model and jurisdiction
- 2Confirm licences
- 3Prepare documents
- 4Incorporate
- 5Register for tax
- 6Open bank account
- 7Obtain operating licences
- 8Start operations
Generic steps without times or fees; rely on the facts and official sources on this page.
12Official Resources
Chinese official resources
Country materials from MOFCOM, the State Taxation Administration and China's overseas commercial offices
- MOFCOM country investment guideMOFCOM · PDF (Chinese)
- Country tax guide (STA)State Taxation Administration · PDF
- Commercial office中华人民共和国驻拉各斯总领事馆经贸之窗
- MOFCOM going-global platformMOFCOM
- Compliance & security alertsMOFCOM platform
Official guides are long Chinese-language PDFs updated on the publishers' schedules. Our structured facts cite local authorities as primary sources; use these guides to cross-check.