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Nigeria has reached a landmark achievement in its digital trade and tax administration journey with the global registration of its Tax Identification Number (Tax-ID) and the formal recognition of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the country’s Peppol Authority.
The development, supported by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), places Nigeria’s Tax-ID under the ISO/IEC 6523 International Coding System, giving individuals and businesses in the country international recognition in cross-border transactions.
Boosting Nigeria’s Role in Global Trade
Peppol, a globally accepted framework for the secure and standardised exchange of electronic documents, is widely adopted across Europe, Asia, and Australia. With FIRS now serving as Nigeria’s Peppol Authority, local businesses can seamlessly integrate into this global network — enabling faster payments, lower administrative costs, and enhanced competitiveness in international trade.
FIRS noted that the move strengthens Nigeria’s standing as a credible investment destination.
“This milestone simplifies compliance for taxpayers, enables smoother cross-border transactions, and strengthens confidence in Nigeria as a global trade and investment hub,” the agency stated.
Unified Tax-ID System
Under the framework, Tax-IDs generated from the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) numbers for businesses will now be globally referenceable. This eliminates duplication, reduces administrative errors, and eases compliance burdens by harmonising tax identification across federal and state levels.
New e-Invoicing Platform for Compliance
In line with the reform, FIRS has also launched the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS) — an e-invoicing platform designed to streamline tax administration and close compliance gaps.
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Large taxpayers are required to integrate with MBS by 1 November 2025.
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Medium and small businesses will be onboarded in subsequent phases.
FIRS has urged companies to validate their Tax-IDs, update accounting systems, and begin onboarding promptly.
“The launch of MBS is a significant step in simplifying tax administration, closing compliance gaps, and positioning Nigeria to meet global standards in taxation and cross-border trade,” the agency added.
Outlook
Analysts say the dual milestones — global Tax-ID registration and Peppol integration — represent a turning point for Nigeria’s digital economy, paving the way for greater transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence in the country’s financial and trade systems.
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