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Start & structureInvestmentNigeria

Register a foreign-owned business (NIPC + Business Permit)

The route for foreign investors: incorporate with ≥₦100m share capital → register the business with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission → obtain a Business Permit from the Federal Ministry of Interior (the instrument that legally authorises foreign participation) → expatriate quota where staff are to be posted in.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
4agencies
Category
Start & structureInvestment
Task links

Go to the exact next page

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

RequirementsRead the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) service pageCorporate Affairs Commission (CAC) · nipc.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)Federal Ministry of InteriorMinistry of Interior; Authorised Dealer Bank
Procedure

The steps, in order

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

  1. 01

    Incorporate with the minimum foreign-participation share capital

    Agency
    Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
    What is required
    A company with foreign shareholding must be incorporated (no branch offices) with a minimum issued share capital of ₦100,000,000. Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation, MEMART, CAC status report and TIN.
    Documents
    CIC; MEMART; CAC Form 1.1; TIN
    Typical timeline
    Days-weeks
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Register the business with NIPC

    Agency
    Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
    What is required
    File NIPC Form 1 with the CIC, MEMART, TIN, shareholder/director identification and proof of registered address. Application fee ₦150,000; annual renewal ₦50,000 (effective 1 January 2025); ₦100,000 to reissue a lost/damaged certificate.
    Documents
    NIPC Form 1; CIC; MEMART; TIN; IDs; ₦150,000 fee
    Typical timeline
    Weeks
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Obtain the Business Permit

    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Interior
    What is required
    Every company with foreign ownership must obtain a Business Permit from the Ministry of Interior - the instrument that legally authorises the foreign participants to carry on the business in Nigeria. The fee depends on the nature and scale of operations.
    Documents
    Business Permit application; NIPC certificate; corporate documents
    Typical timeline
    Weeks
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Expatriate quota and Certificate of Capital Importation

    Agency
    Ministry of Interior; Authorised Dealer Bank
    What is required
    To post expatriate staff, apply for an Expatriate Quota (then STR visa and CERPAC - see hire_foreign_worker_nigeria). Inbound equity/loan capital must be brought in through an Authorised Dealer Bank, which issues a Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI) - the instrument that underpins repatriation of dividends and capital.
    Documents
    Expatriate Quota approval; CCI from the bank
    Typical timeline
    CCI issued shortly after inflow
    Use for this step
Start & structure
BusinessCertify a locally-made product (SON MANCAP)BusinessComply with data protection (NDPA / NDPC)BusinessHire a foreign worker (Expatriate Quota & CERPAC)BusinessObtain an ISP / telecoms licence (NCC)BusinessOpen a restaurant / food businessBusinessRegister a business for tax (TIN & VAT)