Doing Business in Nigeria


Doing Business in Nigeria
The Companies’ and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990 (as amended) is the legal framework for the control and regulation of the activities of companies in Nigeria. The Act established the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as an autonomous agency charged with the responsibility for the registration and regulation of companies, business names and incorporated trustees in Nigeria. There are four types of companies recognized in Nigeria which are Private Limited Liability Companies, Public Limited Liability Companies, Companies Limited by Guarantee, and Unlimited Companies.
Doing Business in Nigeria

Businesses can be registered online via the CAC Company Registration Portal. Through this site, investors or their agents can conduct name searches, complete the required forms, submit all relevant incorporation documents, and also pay associated fees. However, investors may also visit the CAC office or the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) to complete or submit paper applications.

Foreign companies intending to do business in Nigeria may apply for exemption from the standard registration requirements if they are:

  1. Invited by any tier of government for specific individual projects;
  2. Executing specific individual loan projects on behalf of a donor country or international organization;
  3. Foreign government-owned companies engaged solely in export promotion activities; and
  4. Engineering consultants or technical experts engaged in specialist projects with any tier of government.
Doing Business in Nigeria

Foreign companies intending to do business in Nigeria may apply for exemption from the standard registration requirements if they are:

  1. Invited by any tier of government for specific individual projects;
  2. Executing specific individual loan projects on behalf of a donor country or international organization;
  3. Foreign government-owned companies engaged solely in export promotion activities; and
  4. Engineering consultants or technical experts engaged in specialist projects with any tier of government.

      Applications for Exemption from Incorporation should be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

      Additional information can be found on the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) website.