The Federal Government has urged businesses to accelerate preparations for mandatory electronic invoicing, as authorities push ahead with an ambitious overhaul of the country’s tax administration system aimed at improving compliance and modernising revenue collection.
The appeal was made at the recent Nigeria Revenue Summit in Lagos, organised by Interswitch Group under the theme “Winning in Nigeria’s New Tax Landscape.” The gathering brought together stakeholders from the finance, regulatory, and technology sectors to assess the implications of Nigeria’s evolving tax framework and the operational adjustments required of businesses.
In a keynote address, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the transition to e-invoicing as a central pillar of broader tax reforms intended to strengthen compliance while supporting long-term economic growth. Speaking through Sunday Okeowo, Group Director of the Policy Advisory Group, the revenue chief characterised the emerging tax framework as “a bridge to Nigeria that is a regional, continental and global hub for business and commerce.”
Africa’s most populous nation is implementing the e-invoicing system in phases based on company size. Large firms with annual turnover above N5 billion have been required to comply since November 2025. Medium-sized companies are expected to meet the compliance deadline by July 1, 2026, while smaller businesses are scheduled to come fully into the system by July 1, 2027.
The executive explained that the reforms are designed not only to expand government revenues but also to tackle wider socio-economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and poverty, through a more efficient and transparent tax ecosystem.
Under the framework, businesses must integrate their invoicing platforms with government-approved systems, enabling real-time transaction validation and monitoring—a shift from periodic tax reporting that regulators say will improve transparency and reduce revenue leakages.
The Managing Director, Commercial Inclusion, Muyiwa Asagba, said the transition to the e-invoicing system marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic and digital transformation journey.
“The introduction of the e-invoicing system represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward a more transparent and digitally enabled economy. At Interswitch, we see this not just as a compliance requirement but as an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their operational efficiency and build resilience.
“Our focus is on providing the infrastructure and support that allow organisations to integrate seamlessly, comply confidently, and ultimately unlock greater value from their systems,” Asagba told the gathering.
A panel session moderated by Divisional Head, Tax Management at Interswitch, Titilayo Akinseye, convened industry stakeholders to examine operational and strategic challenges surrounding e-invoicing adoption.
Panelists included Vice President, Sales & Account Management at Interswitch, Osasere Atohengbe; Chief Financial Officer of Overland Airways, Temitayo Ilori; Partner, Tax Reporting and Strategy at PwC, Kenneth Erikume; and Executive Director and Partner at PML Professional Services, Adeola Adesanya.
The speakers identified integration complexity, misalignment across internal departments, and delayed corporate decision-making as major barriers to adoption. They warned that slow implementation could expose businesses to transaction disruptions, heightened audit scrutiny, and inefficiencies in financial reporting. Early adopters, however, were seen as likely beneficiaries of enhanced transparency, automation, and improved operational efficiency.
A technical fireside chat at the summit examined the practical realities of implementation, outlining how system integrators, access points, and application programming interfaces enable seamless connectivity between businesses and tax authorities. The discussion explored the ability to embed e-invoicing into existing enterprise systems, allowing invoices to be validated in real time without interrupting business operations.
Speakers also addressed concerns relating to cost implications, system compatibility, and data security, noting that modern infrastructure solutions are designed to scale alongside business growth while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. Organisations were advised to begin adoption with a comprehensive assessment of existing systems and to engage trusted partners to support integration and deployment processes.
Throughout the summit, Interswitch Group reiterated its role as an infrastructure and enablement partner, providing organisations with the technology capabilities and connectivity required to transition smoothly into the emerging e-invoicing ecosystem.
Earlier in her opening address, Chief Financial Officer of Interswitch, Chinomnso Nwachukwu, spoke on “Redefining Finance in a Real-Time, Data-Driven Economy,” highlighting the growing importance of agility, data integration, and real-time financial visibility in helping organisations navigate regulatory changes and drive strategic decision-making.
As Nigeria advances its digital tax agenda, stakeholders at the summit agreed that preparedness and collaboration will be critical to successful adoption. The Abuja edition of the Nigeria Revenue Summit is scheduled for April 1, 2026, where discussions will continue with an emphasis on policy alignment and nationwide implementation.
