Nigeria e-invoicing reform gathers pace as FG urges businesses to comply with new digital tax system

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged businesses to accelerate preparations for the mandatory adoption of electronic invoicing, as part of a sweeping reform aimed at modernising tax administration and improving compliance.

Also read: Nigeria Adopts Unified Gaming Regulation to Boost Economy

The call was made at the Nigeria Revenue Summit held in Lagos, organised by Interswitch Group, where stakeholders from finance, technology, and regulatory sectors examined the implications of the country’s evolving tax framework.

In a keynote address, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, described the Nigeria e-invoicing reform as a critical pillar of broader efforts to strengthen compliance and drive long-term economic growth.

Represented by Sunday Okeowo, Adedeji said the initiative would position Nigeria as a competitive hub for business while addressing systemic inefficiencies in revenue collection.

The government is implementing the system in phases, with large companies already required to comply since November 2025. Medium-sized firms are expected to meet the July 1, 2026 deadline, while small businesses will be integrated by July 1, 2027.

Under the framework, companies must connect their invoicing systems to government-approved platforms, enabling real-time validation and monitoring of transactions.

This marks a decisive shift from periodic tax reporting to a more transparent and technology-driven model.

The Managing Director, Commercial Inclusion at Interswitch, Muyiwa Asagba, described the transition as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation, noting that businesses stand to gain improved efficiency and resilience.

Industry experts at the summit, including representatives from PwC and aviation operator Overland Airways, identified integration challenges, internal misalignment, and slow decision-making as key barriers to adoption.

They warned that delayed compliance could expose organisations to operational disruptions and increased regulatory scrutiny, while early adopters could benefit from enhanced transparency and automation.

A technical session further highlighted how system integrators and application programming interfaces would enable seamless connectivity between businesses and tax authorities without interrupting operations.

The Chief Financial Officer of Interswitch, Chinomnso Nwachukwu, emphasised the growing importance of real-time financial visibility and data-driven decision-making in navigating regulatory changes.

Also read: Nigeria Adopts Unified Gaming Regulation to Boost Economy

Stakeholders agreed that collaboration and early preparation would be crucial to the success of the Nigeria e-invoicing reform, as the country advances an ambitious, technology-driven overhaul of its tax system.