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‘Tax reform’ll eliminate regulatory bottlenecks, boost MSMEs growth’

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The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has expressed optimism that the tax reform bill will eliminate regulatory challenges and spur the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on tax reforms in Abuja on Friday, Charles Odii, SMEDAN’s Director-General, said the bill aims to remove multiple taxation and exempt businesses with annual earnings below N100 million from key tax obligations.

“We have 39,654,385 nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, and the first step towards ensuring their success is sensitisation,” Odii stated. “If this tax reform bill is passed, many small businesses will no longer be required to pay VAT, CIT, PAYE, and several other taxes.”

The event, themed “Understanding the Tax Reform Bills: Benefits and How MSMEs Can Maximise Tax,” brought together key stakeholders, providing business owners with clarity on the bill’s provisions.

Odii also commended the House of Representatives for passing the bill and urged the Senate to follow suit. He stressed that when small businesses thrive, the entire economy benefits.

Support from MSME Association

Abdulrashid Yerima, President of the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), praised the proposed reforms, highlighting how they address major concerns such as multiple taxation and arbitrary levies by regulatory agencies.

“Our members have long struggled with excessive taxation at different levels—import duties, levies on turnover, and arbitrary charges from state and local governments,” Yerima said. “The chairman of the tax reform committee has clarified that many of these burdens will be eliminated once the bill becomes law.”

He further emphasized the need for proper implementation to prevent unauthorized tax collectors and non-state actors from imposing illegal levies on small businesses.

With MSMEs playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, stakeholders believe the tax reform bill could provide much-needed relief and foster business expansion.

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Naira appreciates N1,590/$ in parallel market

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The Naira appreciated to N1,590 per dollar in the parallel market on Monday, strengthening from N1,600 per dollar recorded over the weekend.

However, in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the local currency depreciated to N1,549 per dollar, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The indicative exchange rate rose slightly from N1,548 per dollar last Friday, marking a N1 depreciation.

As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NFEM rate narrowed to N41 per dollar, down from N52 per dollar last weekend.

The exchange rate movement reflects ongoing fluctuations in Nigeria’s forex market as authorities continue efforts to stabilize the currency.

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CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.

 

In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.

 

The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.

 

“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.

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FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

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The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.

The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.

Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.

She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.

The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.

She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.

On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.

Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.

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