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 are not included yet; see official statistics such as the World Bank.
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
- MOFCOMNigeria 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 AdministrationNigeria 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.