Investment Procedure Within the Nigeria Export Zone

Investment Requirements
Types of Industries Permissible in Nigeria Export Zones

Investment Procedure
Any company, person or group of persons wishing to carry out approved activity within a zone shall apply to the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) using the prescribed forms and shall submit such documents and information in the support of the applications. The forms shall specify that applicable fees and such other details as the Authority may stipulate from time to time. A feasibility study in respect of investment project which the applicant wishes to undertake in the zone shall be attached as a annex to the application and contain the following among others:

  • Project description;
  • Market survey;
  • Funding proposal;
  • Financial projections;
  • Environment impact statement and control measures.

Application to undertake approve activity in the zone duly received shall be considered by the Authority within 30 days of receipt and the Authority shall notify the applicant in writing of its decisions to grant the said approval or otherwise. The approval shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Authority.

If the application is approved the investor may proceed to carry out the following:

  • Apply for company registration.
  • If outright purchase of factory building is desired 
  • Payment of 10% deposit of the selling price of the standard factory building within 3 months of approval; 
  • Payment of the balance 90%, 5 months after;
  • Renting of factory building
  • Down payment of one year rent required not exceeding 3 months after signing the rental contract. Thereafter, rental charges shall be paid in the first quarter of every year.
  • Leasing the standard factory
  • Payment of 40% lease value on approval 
  • Payment of 30% at the end of the 5th year 
  • Payment of 30% balance at the end of the 10th year.
  • Leasing of serviced plots
  • Down payment of 40% on completion of factory building 
  • 30% at the end of the 5th year 
  • 30% at the end of the 10th year
Construction must be completed within a period of one year which can be extended for another 6 months.A plan of the building shall be submitted to the Authority for approval. The land lease contract shall be signed within 2 months after allocation of land. The area occupied by such building shall be between 60% - 70% of the leased land and construction shall start within 3 months after signing the lease contract. With conditions in fulfilled, the investor may proceed to carry out the following:


 Remittance of Investment Capital through banks in the zone and notify the Authority on arrival

  • When the factory building is ready, investor(s) may bring in machinery for installation and workers employed. Thereafter, the Authority shall be required to carry out pre-inspection, and if found satisfactory, a certificate to commence production will be issued.
  • Companies intending to sell the permitted 25% of their total production in the domestic market, will be required to notify the Authority for necessary documentation and payment of appropriate levies and charges as applicable.
  • The company shall apply to the Authority for assessment of invested capital for later repatriation purposes. This is applicable to companies which are 100% foreign owned and those with part foreign equity participation.



Investment Requirements

  • Industries must be guaranteed to be environmentally friendly
  • At least 75% of total product to be exported.
  • Maximum of 25% of product can be exported to the customs territory on payment of appropriate levies and duties
  • Minimum investment capital outlay is 500 000 US Dollar or its Naira equivalent.

Types of Industries Permissible in Nigeria Export Zones

  • Electrical and Electronic Products 
  • Textile Products 
  • Leather Products 
  • Plastic Products 
  • Petroleum Products 
  • Rubber Products 
  • Cosmetics 
  • Garments 
  • Chemical Products 
  • Metal Products 
  • Educational Materials and Equipment 
  • Communication Equipment and Materials 
  • Sports Equipment and Materials 
  • Machinery 
  • Handicraft 
  • Optical instruments and Appliances 
  • Medical Kits and Instruments 
  • Biscuits and Confectioneries 
  • Printed Materials, Office Equipment and Appliances 
  • Paper Materials 
  • Food Processing 
  • Pharmaceutical Products