- Recognised by Business Connect magazine · 1080+ Clients · 47+ Countries
Start a Business in Nigeria — Ltd, 30% CIT, Africa's Most Populous Market
Nigerian company formation involves incorporating a Private Company Limited by Shares (Ltd/Gte) through the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) under CAMA 2020, with FDI facilitation from NIPC (Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission). Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies (about USD 290B GDP in 2025, per the IMF; 220M consumers) and the continent’s biggest oil producer. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, CIT is 30% for large companies and 0% for small companies (turnover up to NGN 100M and fixed assets up to NGN 250M; PwC Nigeria).
- By Dr. Anil Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Connect Ventures Group
- Updated April 2026
- 14 min read
500+
Companies launched
47+
Countries served
4.7
Trustpilot rating
+12 today
Founders onboarded
Incorporated in 7 days
Average turnaround time
30/20/0%
Tiered CIT
3-5yr
Pioneer Holiday
SBI
Bank in Lagos
220M
Africa #1 Economy
AfCFTA
1.4B Market
OUR SERVICES IN NIGERIA
What We Help You With in Nigeria
Leverage our expertise for company formation, EXIM, IOR/EOR, visas,
banking, and ongoing compliance all from a single point of contact.
Most Popular
Company Formation
Register a Nigeria Private Limited Company (Ltd) in 5–7 business days through CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) online portal. We handle name reservation, memorandum & articles of association drafting, director/secretary appointment, registered office address, and full incorporation remotely from India. Minimum share capital: NGN 100,000 (private companies); USD 10,000 minimum paid-up capital for foreign-owned businesses. 100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors. Starting from ₹58,000* (government fees extra).
Tax & Compliance Advisory
We handle Nigeria's 30% CIT (0% for small companies), 7.5% VAT, Withholding Tax (WHT), the 4% Development Levy that replaced Tertiary Education Tax, and annual tax and CAC returns. India and Nigeria have no double tax treaty in force, so Nigerian domestic WHT rates apply. Qualifying industries can use the Economic Development Tax Incentive, which replaced Pioneer Status and gives an income tax credit for five years, extendable by up to five more. Source: PwC Nigeria.
Most Popular
FEMA & RBI Compliance
We handle BOTH sides simultaneously: Nigeria incorporation AND Indian FEMA compliance. Form ODI filing with your AD bank, Annual Performance Reports (APR) by 31 December, FLA returns to RBI by 15 July, and Foreign Tax Credit (Section 90) claims. This dual-side India–Nigeria expertise is our #1 differentiator.
Visas & Immigration
Subject to Expatriate Quota (EQ), Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), Business Visa, and Dependent Permit. We handle Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) applications, renewals, and compliance. Expatriate Quota requires prior approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior. CERPAC is mandatory for all foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria, issued for 1–2 years and renewable.
EXIM & Logistics
Import/export licences, customs clearance through Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), 3PL warehousing, IOR/AOR/EOR services, and Nigeria India trade facilitation. Nigeria is West Africa's largest economy and most populous nation with access to the ECOWAS single market of 400+ million consumers, making it a natural base for regional distribution across West and Central Africa.
Cross-Border Banking
Corporate account opening at Zenith Bank, GTBank (Guaranty Trust), Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, or Standard Chartered Nigeria. We prepare your business plan, projected financials, and KYC documentation. Most banks require in-person or video-based KYC plus NIPC registration certificate for foreign-owned companies. Processing time: 3–5 weeks.
- 1080+ Clients Served
- 47+ Countries
- 4.7★ Trustpilot
- Avg 4hr Response
- 100% Compliance Record
Why Partner With Comply Globally?
Our 4 Brand Promises — Backed by Results
These are not marketing claims. They are measurable operational standards tracked
and verified across 1,080+ client engagements worldwide.
Speed of Action
We reply within 4 hours. Nigeria Private Limited Company incorporation usually takes 5–7 business days, and can be faster where documentation is complete.
3-day incorporation possible
Accuracy & Competence
Zero compliance failures across 1,080+ engagements. Every filing is reviewed by a dedicated Nigeria country specialist before submission.
Filing dates tracked for you · 4.7★ on Trustpilot
Ease of Doing Business
One contact for everything Nigeria CAC incorporation AND Indian FEMA compliance handled simultaneously, no vendor juggling.
Single Point of Management · 47+ countries
Cost Competitiveness
Published pricing: Nigeria Ltd from ₹58,000*. You get a written quote in rupees before you pay, with government fees at cost.
Nigeria Company Formation — 4.7★ on Trustpilot
“Initially I was thinking their brand promises were marketing jargon but after taking their services, I can say they are better than excellent in Speed of Action, Cost Competitiveness, and Competence.”
Nigeria
TAX FRAMEWORk
What Is the Corporate Tax Rate in Nigeria?
Nigeria's standard corporate income tax rate is 30%.
Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria levies 30% CIT on large companies (turnover above NGN 100 million or fixed assets above NGN 250 million). The old medium-company rate of 20% no longer applies, and small companies (turnover up to NGN 100 million and fixed assets up to NGN 250 million) are exempt from CIT entirely.
Nigeria charges 7.5% VAT on goods and services, a 4% Development Levy on assessable profits (replacing the 3% Tertiary Education Tax), and WHT ranging from 5–10% on various payments. The Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) has been replaced by the Economic Development Tax Incentive, which gives qualifying companies an income tax credit for five years, extendable by up to five more if profits are reinvested. India and Nigeria have no double tax treaty in force, so there are no treaty rates on dividends, interest or royalties; Nigerian domestic withholding tax applies.
Sources: Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) · Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) · India–Nigeria DTAA · Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) · Updated May 2026
Nigeria vs Ghana vs South Africa vs Ethopia— Tax Comparison
| Factor | 🇳🇬Nigeria | 🇬🇭Ghana | 🇿🇦South Africa | 🇪🇹Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CIT Rate | 30% (large); 20% (mid); 0% (small) | 25% | 27% | 30% |
Capital Gains Tax | 10% | 25% (incl. in CIT) | 22.4% (eff. rate) | Included in CIT |
Dividend WHT | 10% (non-resident) | 8% | 20% | 10% |
VAT / GST | 7.5% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
DTAA Network | ~13 treaties | ~8 treaties | ~80 treaties | ~20 treaties |
Ease of Doing Business | #131 (World Bank) | #118 | #84 | #159 |
Oil & Gas / Resource Tax | PPTA: 50–85% petroleum profit | 35% mining tax | 28% mining CIT | 35% mining tax |
Investment Incentives | Pioneer status: 0% CIT 3–5 yrs | GIPC: 0–25% relief | SEZ: 0% CIT, tax holidays | EIC: 0% CIT 2–7 yrs |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a Business in Nigeria
Yes. Nigeria permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors through a Private Company Limited by Shares registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Certain industries such as oil & gas, banking, and telecom may require sector-specific licences or approvals.
Nigeria company incorporation generally takes around 5–7 business days depending on document readiness, shareholder structure, and regulatory approvals. Faster processing may be available for straightforward structures.
Nigeria follows a tiered Corporate Income Tax (CIT) structure.
- 30% for large companies (turnover above NGN 100 million or fixed assets above NGN 250 million)
- No separate medium-company rate under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025
- 0% for small companies (turnover up to NGN 100 million and fixed assets up to NGN 250 million)
Small companies are also outside the 4% Development Levy.
The Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) was a tax holiday scheme administered by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). It has been replaced by the Economic Development Tax Incentive (EDTI). Eligible companies in priority sectors may receive:
- An income tax credit for five years, plus up to five more if profits are reinvested
- Investment incentives for manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and industrial sectors
This can significantly reduce operating costs for new investors.
No. India and Nigeria have no double tax treaty in force (Nigeria is not in PwC’s India treaty rate table), so treaty rates do not apply.
- Dividends: no treaty rate
- Interest: no treaty rate
- Royalties: no treaty rate
Ask us to check the current treaty position before you invest.
Nigeria is.
- One of Africa’s largest economies
- The continent’s most populous country (220M+ consumers)
- West Africa’s leading oil producer
- A major fintech and technology hub
- Gateway to the ECOWAS market of 400M+ people
Its large domestic market makes it attractive for consumer goods, fintech, manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, and energy investments.
Foreign nationals typically require.
- Expatriate Quota (EQ) approval
- CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)
- Business Visa or Residence Permit
These approvals are managed through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Federal Ministry of Interior.
Indian businesses choose Nigeria because of.
- Massive consumer market
- Strong oil & gas opportunities
- Rapidly growing fintech ecosystem
- Access to ECOWAS regional trade markets
- Large infrastructure and manufacturing demand
- Tax incentives under Pioneer Status schemes
- Longstanding India–Nigeria trade relations
Ready To Start Your Nigeria Expansion?
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