Business
MAN Articulates Benefits of Amending FTZs Tax Bill
An example that is not farfetched is the situation in nearby Ghana. Ghana only allows up to 30% of sales into the customs territory subject to payment of duties and taxes, including CIT.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said on Tuesday that the National Assembly should go on with the proposed reform of the free-trade zone operations in the country.
The leadership of the MAN expressed their conviction that the amendments will ensure equitable tax treatment for companies operating in the customs territory and those licensed to operate within the free zones with respect to sales into the customs territory, thereby enabling fair competition while protecting the country’s tax base.
In the position statement, signed by the association’s Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, MAN noted that licensed entities will also enjoy similar incentives available to entities within the customs territory with respect to their sale of goods and services into the Customs Territory, a win-win outcome.
“It is important for us to situate this conversation within the context of what export processing zones and export free trade zones were created to achieve and the value they are purposed to deliver to the economy.
It is clear from the enabling laws and in the 3rd Schedule to the NEPZA Act with the first listed approved activity stated as “manufacturing of goods for export”, while other activities relate to international services, transshipment and services within the zones.
The emphasis here is “within the zones,” he said.
He argued that for instance, banking is listed as an approved activity but it does not mean that a bank can set up in the zone and render banking services across Nigeria without paying taxes, rather it refers to banking within the zone and exports.
So, this should explain how other activities (apart from manufacturing for export) should be viewed.
“The concern of my members and the contention here are obviously pertaining to tax incentives.
In specific terms, Section 8 on exemption from taxes only applies to approved enterprises operating within a Zone.
They are exempted from all Federal, State and Local Government taxes, levies and rates. Sales to the customs territory is neither an approved activity nor is it within the zone.
“However, section 18 permits the sale of goods and services to the customs territory, but this does not confer tax exemption on the sales, but rather a regulatory matter regarding what is permissible.
“Over time, the provisions of sections 8 and 18 have been misinterpreted as not only permitting the sale into the customs territory but also as tax exemption.
“So again, I say this is where the concern of my members and the contention lies: This position is not consistent with the law and it undermines tax-paying entities operating within the customs territory and producing similar goods and services.
Where does the tax exemption enjoyed by the companies operating within the zones, leave my more than 2,500 members who operate outside the zone, in terms of level playing field, competitiveness, fairness and equity?
They find themselves in a disadvantaged position and are rendered less competitive”, he stated.
Ajayi-Kadri said that he believed that the tax reform bill before the National Assembly has actually come to the rescue.
“The bill seeks to bring clarity and equity by stating that sales to the customs territory are taxable, not just for import duties and VAT, but also for CIT purposes.
That is to say that all sellers in the customs territory should be subject to the same tax obligations.
“Subsequently, I don’t think the relevant provisions of the tax reform bill amount to a reversal of the incentives, not at all. It is actually a clarification to align with the intent and letters of the enabling laws.
This is in line with global best practice for free zones. In fact, Nigeria will continue to be more generous even after the proposed amendments.
An example that is not farfetched is the situation in nearby Ghana. Ghana only allows up to 30% of sales into the customs territory subject to payment of duties and taxes, including CIT.
Whereas we allow 100% sales. Exports by a zone entity are tax-free only for 10 years after which up to 8% CIT will apply. Nigeria offers indefinite tax exemption on exports.”
Business
Dangote proposes to build refineries in East Africa if …
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa’s leading industrialist and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said the refinery in Lagos can be replicated in East Africa with the right support.
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit
Dangote said: “I can give commitment to the two presidents that were here; if they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria – 650,000 barrels per day.”
The presidents he was referring to are Kenya’s President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit.
On the readiness, Dangote said: “There is nothing that can stop it. We have done the one in Nigeria and that’s why we are taking the bold move which was started already. Piling has started, while building to a scale – 1.4 million barrels per day will give us the largest refinery – world number two.
“It is 10% of entire United States of America’s refining capacity.
And this is coming with lot of, you know, petrochemicals. If we look at it today in Nigeria, if not because we have polypropylene, all the plants, all businesses would collapse.
“Cement is packed in polypropylene, flour, rice, grains, everything. So nothing… and the cost now has shot up between just 45 days – from $900 to 3$3,000. There is no way you can afford that. You can’t afford it.
“So, that is why we must learn how to build self-sufficiency. Right now, we have big financial institutions that are very hungry for big ticket items. And we’re also big in terms of our own vision.
“So, it is possible. Africans can do it. Let us not be scared. No. Let us not come and be convinced, as I know somebody needs to carry our own material to go and produce and bring the items here.
“I must really thank the President of Uganda for taking this bold move: stopping the export.
They will be forced. They would come (and) produce. Why do you have to take your material (away), then you’ll bring it back? We have educated people. We have big financial institutions. It’s not like before. Things have changed.”
Business
CBN increases ATM card issuance fee by 50% to N1,500
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has increased the fee for issuance and replacement of Automated Terminal Machine (ATM) debit/ credit cards by 50 percent to N1,500 from N1,000.
The apex bank also scrapped the N50 monthly charges for Naira Debit/ Credit Card maintenance which usually includes 7.5 percent Value Added Tax but said customers with Foreign Currency denominated debit/credit cards will continue to pay maintenance fee of $10 per annum.
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The apex bank also reiterated among other things that the cost of ATM transactions on Merchants PoS will be borne by the Merchant and not the customers.
CBN said: “ATM card Issuance/Replacement charges for regular/basic debit/credit card is N1, 500. “Charges for Premium Debit/Credit/Hybrid Card are negotiable Virtual cards at no charge. “Merchant Service Charge (MSC) (charge to be borne by the merchant).
There shall be no charge to the cardholder paying the merchant.
“All card transactions done by cardholders at a merchant location shall be free of charge to the cardholder, i.e. the MSC shall be borne by the merchant.
The MSC payable by a merchant (0.5 percent) subject to a cap of N10,000 shall be the same irrespective of the technology or payment methods.”
In a circular to Banks, Other Financial Institutions and the Public signed by the Director Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Dr. Rita Sike, CBN said that the review of the guide to charges by banks and OFIs and non bank Financial Institutions was to fulfill its mandate to promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria accelerate the adoption of innovative financial services, financial inclusion and micropayments/transaction.
(Vanguard)
Business
FG Launches Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) To Boost Industrial Productivity
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, described ECoN as a national framework designed to bridge the gap between research and the marketplace.
• Kano ECoN launch by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Thursday 23,2026.
The federal government has launched the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) an initiative of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launched the programme in Kano, yesterday, and calling for a shift from ideas to industrial productivity.
The First Lady said that Nigeria must move beyond generating ideas to building industries that create jobs and drive economic growth.
She noted that although innovative concepts continue to emerge from universities, technology hubs and young entrepreneurs, many do not translate into real-world solutions.
“This initiative represents a decisive effort to close that gap by creating an environment where ideas can grow, attract support and scale into real solutions,” she said.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, described ECoN as a national framework designed to bridge the gap between research and the marketplace.
He said that the initiative aims to transform research outputs into revenue-generating ventures while promoting inclusive economic growth.
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