Foreign Company Setup in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa's largest market, but navigating its complex corporate immigration and investment laws can be daunting for foreign nationals. We provide an end-to-end legal suite—from securing your ₦100 Million Share Capital CAC Incorporation to obtaining your NIPC Certificate and Expatriate Quotas.
The Legal Framework for Foreigners
Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act, foreign nationals and international corporations are permitted to own 100% of a Nigerian company.
However, foreign-owned companies face much higher regulatory thresholds than local businesses. They must navigate a matrix of regulatory bodies to legally commence operations, hire expatriate staff, and repatriate profits.
100% Foreign Ownership
You do not need a Nigerian partner to start a business in Nigeria, except in highly restricted sectors like oil & gas, aviation, and broadcasting.
Profit Repatriation Guarantees
By obtaining a Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI) through an authorized dealer, foreign investors are guaranteed unconditional transferability of dividends and profits out of Nigeria.
Expatriate Employment
To legally live and work in Nigeria as a foreign director, or to hire foreign technical staff, the company must first secure an Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior.
The 4-Step Setup Pipeline
We handle the entire bureaucratic process sequentially across all government agencies:
Corporate Documentation Required
To commence the incorporation of a foreign-owned entity, we require detailed due diligence documentation from the parent company or foreign individuals.
1If the Shareholder is an Individual Foreigner
- Notarized copy of International Passport (Data Page)
- Proof of residential address in home country (Utility bill or bank statement)
- Digital signatures on plain white paper
- Registered physical office address in Nigeria (We can provide virtual office solutions if you don't have one yet)
2If the Shareholder is a Foreign Company (Subsidiary Setup)
- Notarized Certificate of Incorporation from the home country
- Board Resolution authorizing the setup of a Nigerian subsidiary
- International Passports of the appointed Directors representing the parent company
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers to common concerns of foreign investors entering the Nigerian market.
What does the ₦100 Million Share Capital mean? Do I pay this to the government?
No, you DO NOT pay ₦100 Million to the Nigerian government. By law, any company with foreign participation must be registered with a minimum authorized share capital of 100 Million units. The CAC registration and stamp duty fees are calculated as a percentage of this share capital size, but you do not deposit the actual 100 million into a government account.
Do I need to visit Nigeria to complete the registration?
No. Our legal experts handle the entire CAC incorporation, NIPC registration, and Business Permit processing remotely. You only need to travel to Nigeria when you are ready to secure your CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) and formally assume your duties.
Can a foreign company open a bank account in Nigeria?
A foreign company cannot directly open a bank account in Nigeria unless it registers a local subsidiary or branch with the CAC first. Once the Nigerian entity is incorporated, you can open multi-currency corporate accounts (Naira, USD, GBP, EUR) with any commercial bank.
What is a Business Permit vs. Expatriate Quota?
A Business Permit is the official authorization from the Ministry of Interior that allows the foreign-owned company to commence operations in Nigeria. An Expatriate Quota is the authorization that allows the company to employ specific foreign individuals for specific roles within the company.
Enter Africa's Largest Market
Avoid bureaucratic delays and regulatory pitfalls. Let our accredited legal experts establish your corporate presence in Nigeria seamlessly.
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