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Trade & mobilityTradeNigeria

Set up an enterprise in a Free Trade Zone (NEPZA)

Obtain a Free Zone Enterprise Operating Licence (OPL) to manufacture, warehouse or trade inside a licensed Nigerian free zone: apply through zone management with a project plan → approval within ~5 working days → OPL. The licence substitutes for CAC registration, and zone enterprises are exempt from federal/state/local taxes and levies.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
3agencies
Category
Trade & mobilityTrade
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

Apply onlineOpen the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) / zone management application serviceNigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) / zone management · nepza.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) / zone managementZone management / NEPZAZone management
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Choose a zone and obtain the application form

    Agency
    Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) / zone management
    What is required
    Select a licensed free zone (Lagos Free Zone, Lekki, Calabar, Onne Oil & Gas, etc.). Collect the enterprise application form from the zone administration or NEPZA HQ Abuja against a non-refundable fee of US$500 (or naira equivalent).
    Documents
    Application form; US$500 non-refundable fee
    Typical timeline
    Immediate
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Submit the project plan / feasibility study

    Agency
    Zone management / NEPZA
    What is required
    Submit the completed form with a project plan or feasibility study covering the activity, investment size, employment and space requirement. Enterprise registration plus certified true copies of documents is priced at US$3,000.
    Documents
    Project plan/feasibility study; enterprise registration US$3,000
    Typical timeline
    Submission
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Approval and Operating Licence (OPL)

    Agency
    Zone management / NEPZA
    What is required
    Applications are reviewed and either approved or returned with observations within 5 working days. On approval the Free Zone Administration issues the Operating Licence. The licence constitutes registration - no separate CAC incorporation is required.
    Documents
    Operating Licence (OPL)
    Typical timeline
    ~5 working days
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Lease space, build out, and operate

    Agency
    Zone management
    What is required
    Execute the lease. Own-build investors submit 4 copies of full architectural drawings for zone approval under the building code; built-up space must not exceed 70% of the leased land and construction must start within 3 months of the agreement. Zone enterprises are exempt from federal, state and local taxes and levies.
    Documents
    Lease; architectural drawings (4 copies)
    Typical timeline
    Build-out within 3 months
    Use for this step
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