The Top Business and Investment Opportunities In Nigeria

Often regarded as Africa’s sleeping giant, Nigeria has the potential to become one of the world’s most inspiring economic success stories given the size and scale of business and investment opportunities it presents.

The Nigerian government has realised that they need to make the country as attractive and lucrative as possible for offshore investors to bring their capital, skills and business trade into the country.
One way is to provide tax holidays to “pioneer companies,” who are engaged in the production of export goods, establishing new industries, or expanding production in vital sectors of the economy.
Pioneer companies that are eligible under the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act can enjoy an income “tax holiday” for a period of up to five years.
In addition, pioneer companies enjoy other benefits such as the exemption from withholding tax on dividends paid out of pioneer profits.

Here’s a look at investment opportunities to consider:

MANUFACTURING

Nigeria’s population is an estimated 186 million people. This population suggests a massive potential workforce as well as a consumer base.

For a manufacturer this is an ideal scenario: not only do you have potential customers, but you also have potential employees.

The Nigerian government is eager to expand the manufacturing capability in the country, and to that end they are offering incentives for manufacturers that are able to locally source their raw materials, for example agro-allied manufacturers processing foodstuffs such as fruit juices and vegetable oils.

Any manufacturing industry that provides multiplier effect solutions for the economy is also looked upon favourably. An example of this would be machine tools, flat sheet metal, and spare parts manufacturing.

Finally, any investment in research institutes, especially those that focus on adaptive research and commercialisation of local inventions, is looked upon favourably by the Nigerian government.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

 

Nigeria has the highest number of internet users in Africa, and has one of the fastest growing internet user bases in the world.

According to Statista, there are approximately 76.2 million Nigerian internet users as of 2017. This is an increase of nearly 50 percent from the 2013 figure of 51.8 million.

There are millions of Nigerians who are interested in involving themselves in Information Communications and Technology Services (ICTS). This new economy does not require a person to be in a specific location to provide the service needed, rather they can be located anywhere in the world.

An organization that has seen the potential in Nigeria is the US-based tech firm, Andela. The company provides learning programs for young adults who want to become computer programmers.

The learning program is a 2-year practical course during which the learner works for, and interacts with, top companies around the world and assists them in building software, websites, and mobile applications.

After the conclusion of the program, the learner is able to provide remote programming support to companies that they have built a relationship with.

By tapping into the under-developed ICT skills of the Nigerian youth, there are countless opportunities for new economy companies to develop technology leaders of the future in Nigeria and in the rest of Africa.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is still the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria, and nearly one third of the country’s population works in the sector.

The Nigerian government has set up incentives to help modernize and mechanize the agricultural industry.

Not only will locally-grown foodstuffs be promoted on behalf of the investor, companies may receive the pioneer company status and qualify for tax incentives.

Subsidies on fertilizer, and zero import duties on raw materials needed to manufacture livestock feed are some of the other incentives to attract investors to this sector.

Another incentive is the release of grants from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council for research and development that leads to the greater domestic use of Nigeria’s raw materials.

PRIVATE EDUCATION

 

 The need for skilled tradespersons, computer programmers, and agricultural workers will only increase in demand as Nigeria transforms its economy and becomes an international economic power.

At present, there is an opportunity for private education to offer specific programmes that are in demand in the country.

Nigeria suffers from vast underemployment and by offering distance learning or night schools, there is potential for strong investment returns in for-profit education. As an example, one can look at the success of Curro in South Africa, which began as a private for-profit primary and secondary schools, and now has a post-secondary offering.

If a Nigerian school model were created that focused on skills development, the potential returns could be very lucrative.

Nigeria is in the fortunate position to offer investment opportunities to both local and international entrepreneurs and investors.

The renewed drive to develop the Nigerian economy offers lucrative potential returns for those looking to invest in the above sectors, including manufacturing and private education.

These areas are in some ways interconnected, and by increasing the investment and development in one area, there is tremendous potential for spillover into the other sectors.

Go Nigeria!