Includes steps involved in establishing a local office
Last Published: 8/13/2019

U.S. firms wishing to do business in Nigeria, other than through incorporated local companies acting as representatives, agents, distributors, or partners, must establish a local presence. The business must be incorporated locally in Nigeria.  Foreign firms cannot operate through a branch office in Nigeria.  As part of efforts being made by the Government of Nigeria to improve the ease of doing business in the country, a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was established in early 2017 to help review challenges encumbering the business environment. The speed of business registration with the country’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has also received a boost.

CS Nigeria encourages U.S. companies to employ the services of experienced commercial lawyers in completing the incorporation process and in dealing with providers of ground support services such as housing and tenancy agreements.  Please note the following link for a list of service providers:  http://export.gov/nigeria/businessserviceproviders/index.asp.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.