Lagos led 2022 PAYE collections with ₦361 billion

Lagos State led Nigeria’s 2022 PAYE tax collections, surpassing the total of 32 other states combined.

PAYE, a tax on employees’ income, saw Lagos contributing 36%, far ahead of Rivers State (11%) and the FCT (∼9%).
This highlights the economic disparity across states.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2022
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South Africa's personal income tax has increased in share from ~30% to nearly 40% over the years
Key Takeaways:
  • In 2007/08, personal income tax (PIT) contributed 29.46% of total tax revenue, while corporate income tax (CIT) added a substantial 24.46%.
  • The share of personal income tax in tax revenue rose by 27% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • Corporate income tax contribution declined by 26% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • In 2019/20, personal income tax made the largest contribution to tax revenue (38.9%), a 32% rise from the 2007/08 contribution.
  • Other taxes showed minor variations, averaging around 19% of total tax revenue.
  • Personal income tax reached its peak contribution at 38.92% in 2019/20 before dropping by 4% in 2023/24.
Over the last twenty years, the ratio of tax to GDP in South Africa has varied, reaching a high of 24.9%—a 19% increase since 2004/05
Key takeaways:
  • The tax-to-GDP ratio reached its peak in 2022/23 at 24.9%, signifying enhanced efficiency in tax collection.
  • Throughout the past two decades, the percentage of tax revenue relative to GDP has exhibited significant stability.
  • The tax revenue as a proportion of GDP has fluctuated between 21% and 25% over the last twenty years.
  • Notable declines occurred during global economic downturns, such as the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The recent years (2021-2024) reflect a robust recovery, with tax revenue percentages approaching peak levels.
Nigeria's VAT revenue shows over ₦1.1T increase in 2023 while the value in dollars shows a decline
  • VAT revenue in naira has consistently grown over the years, hitting an all-time high of ₦3.64 trillion in 2023.
  • The dollar value of VAT revenue declined despite the increase in naira terms, dropping from $5.88 billion in 2022 to $5.44 billion in 2023.
  • Over the last decade, VAT revenue in naira has grown at an impressive CAGR of 20.18%, while its dollar value grew at a much lower 5.48%, showing the impact of currency devaluation.
  • 2023 saw one of the largest year-on-year increases in VAT revenue in naira, but the corresponding drop in dollar value indicates that exchange rate volatility are eroding real revenue gains.
  • Nigeria’s revenue collection efforts are improving, but the decline in dollar value highlights the need for economic stability and currency strength.
  • This trend reflects a broader issue in Nigeria’s economy - higher local earnings do not necessarily translate into increased global purchasing power.
  • With VAT being a major non-oil revenue source, policymakers must focus on stabilizing the exchange rate to maximize the real impact of revenue growth.
Three sectors accounted for a combined 59% of the total VAT collected in the first half of 2024
  • Three sectors, Manufacturing, ICT, and Mining & Quarrying, accounted for 58.8% of total VAT revenue in the first half of 2024.
  • Manufacturing alone contributed 24.8% of VAT, making it the highest-paying sector.
  • Nigeria’s digital economy is thriving, with ICT generating 17.6% of VAT revenue, signaling the growth of telecom, data services, and digital platforms.
  • The extractive industry remains vital, with Mining & Quarrying contributing 16.4% of total VAT collection.
  • Finance & Insurance (10.2%) and Public Administration & Defence (9.7%) also made significant contributions to Nigeria’s VAT revenue.
  • Despite contributions from 21 sectors, VAT revenue is still heavily reliant on a few key industries, highlighting the need for a broader tax base.
The top ten states accounted for 40% of the ₦82b shared in EMTL revenue, with Lagos receiving the highest share of ₦7.7b
With the top ten states receiving 40% of the ₦82b shared in EMTL, Lagos led with ₦7.68b, followed by Kano with ₦3.46b. Oyo, Rivers, and Kaduna rounded out the top five, each securing over ₦2b. These states are driving the lion’s share of the revenue. In stark contrast, the bottom ten states, including Bayelsa and Ebonyi, saw much smaller allocations, with each receiving less than ₦2b.
Since January 2024, Nigerian states have shared ₦82b in ETML, with the South-West receiving 23% (₦19b) of the total allocation
On December 1, 2024, fintech companies including OPay, PalmPay, and Moniepoint announced plans to begin implementing the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), a ₦50 charge applied to electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above. The announcement sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians who expressed concerns about the rising cost of living. Since January 2024, however, Nigerian states (excluding FCT) have shared ₦82b in EMTL revenue. The South West received the highest allocation of ₦19b, while the South East received the lowest, at ₦11b.
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