Nigeria: Distribution of generated Value Added Tax (VAT) by sector for Q1 2020 and Q1 2021
Of the total VAT generated in Q1 2021, Non-Import (foreign) VAT recorded a 116% increase — the highest compared with the same period of 2020. Here is a breakdown of the VAT generated by sectors in Q1 2020 and Q1 2021.
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.
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.
Local company income tax in Nigeria surged threefold quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2024, reaching ₦1.35t. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing led with a growth of 474.5%, while Household Employment and Own-Use Production experienced the steepest decline at -30.22%
Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio remains significantly lower than regional averages, showing a gap in revenue mobilisation. While OECD countries reached a tax-to-GDP ratio of 34.2% in 2021, and even the African regional average stood at 18.8%, Nigeria's tax revenue represented only 6.7% of its GDP. This disparity emphasises the need for strategic tax policy reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal capacity.
Nigeria's tax revenue structure relies heavily on corporate income tax, which constitutes 35% of the total revenue, surpassing personal income tax and social security contributions. In contrast, the rest of Africa and OECD countries demonstrate a more balanced tax composition, with significant shares from personal income tax, VAT, and other tax categories.
This heavy reliance on corporate income tax highlights the unique fiscal structure in Nigeria, where other forms of tax contributions are less prominent.
Kenya's Revenue Authority has doubled its revenue, growing from KSh 1.1 trillion in the 2014/15 financial year to KSh 2.2 trillion in 2022/23.
The most significant annual growth occurred in 2021/22, with a 21.7% increase. Over nine years, tax revenue grew by an average of 9.4%, demonstrating consistent progress in Kenya's fiscal management.
