Generalizes on the best strategy to enter the market, e.g., visiting the country; importance of relationships to finding a good partner; use of agents.
Last Published: 8/13/2019

The U.S. Commercial Service recommends that U.S. manufacturers and suppliers enter the Nigerian market by combining the benefits of the services and programs of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s local Commercial Services Office (see https://www.export.gov/welcome) with the extensive knowledge and industry contacts, of the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria (see Http://www.export.gov/nigeria).  We encourage to have you to make your first point of contact your local Commercial Service Office. 

To establish a presence in Nigeria, we recommend that U.S. firms establish and use an agent/distributor relationship with a locally registered company.  Many foreign manufacturers and suppliers appoint one or more agents/distributors to accommodate Nigeria’s geographical size and ethnic diversity.  In Nigeria’s complicated legal environment, all relevant terms and conditions of such arrangements must be carefully negotiated.  The U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria strongly recommends the use of experienced commercial attorneys in crafting a mutually beneficial agreement (see
http://export.gov/nigeria/businessserviceproviders/index.asp).

U.S. Commercial Service Nigeria contact information: 
http://www.export.gov/nigeria

U.S. Global Markets worldwide information: 
http://www.export.gov

Doing Business in Nigeria information: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/nigeria/

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.