Nigeria Achieves Global Milestone: FIRS Named Peppol Authority, Tax-IDs Gain Global Recognition
- Nigeria’s tax reforms have received significant recognition for their strides in tax administration its Tax Identification Number (Tax-ID)
- The new achievement positioned Nigerians and businesses on the global stage by registering
- This development means that Nigerian Tax-IDs are now internationally recognised and can be seamlessly used in cross-border transactions
Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Nigeria has reached a significant milestone in its digital trade and tax administration reforms with the international registration of its Tax Identification Number (Tax-ID) and the approval of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the nation’s Peppol Authority.
The achievement, facilitated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), positions Nigerian individuals and businesses on the global stage by registering the country’s Tax-ID under the ISO/IEC 6523 International Coding System.
Source: Getty Images
This means that Nigerian Tax-IDs are now internationally recognised and can be seamlessly used in cross-border transactions.
What Peppol means for Nigerian businesses
Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement On-Line) is a globally accepted framework for secure, standardised, and efficient exchange of electronic documents such as invoices and purchase orders.
Already operational across Europe, Asia, and Australia, Peppol allows businesses to conduct cross-border transactions with minimal friction.
With FIRS now serving as Nigeria’s Peppol Authority, businesses in the country can integrate directly into this international network.
This will translate into faster payments, lower administrative costs, reduced errors, and improved competitiveness in global markets.
According to the FIRS, the approval “simplifies compliance for taxpayers, enables smoother cross-border transactions, and strengthens confidence in Nigeria as a global trade and investment hub.”
Unified tax-IDs for simpler compliance
A key aspect of the reform is the unification of Tax IDs across Nigeria. Under the new system:
Individuals will use Tax-IDs generated with their National Identification Number (NIN).
Businesses will use Tax-IDs tied to their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers.
This harmonisation eliminates duplication, reduces administrative errors, and cuts compliance costs. Both federal and state-level tax systems will now align under a single internationally recognised framework, making it easier for investors and foreign partners to verify Nigerian entities.
Introduction of Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS)
As part of its digitalisation drive, the FIRS has also rolled out the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS) e-invoicing platform. Large taxpayers are required to integrate with MBS by 1 November 2025, while medium and small businesses will be onboarded in phases.
The FIRS has urged companies to validate their Tax-IDs, update accounting systems, and integrate with the new platform as quickly as possible.
“The launch of MBS is a significant step in simplifying tax administration, closing compliance gaps, and positioning Nigeria to meet global standards in taxation and cross-border trade,” the agency noted.
A Boost for trade, investment, and digital governance
Experts say the move enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness to foreign investors by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance with international standards. It also marks another step toward aligning Nigeria with global best practices in digital governance and e-commerce.
By embracing Peppol and digital invoicing, Nigeria has not only modernised its tax infrastructure but also opened new doors for businesses to thrive in the global marketplace.
Source: UGC
For millions of taxpayers, the message is clear: compliance is now simpler, faster, and internationally recognised.
FIRS rolls out e-invoicing to curb tax evasion
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a groundbreaking electronic fiscal system (EFS) designed to modernise tax administration and improve compliance among Nigeria’s largest taxpayers.
Known as the Merchant-Buyer Model (MBM), the platform went live on August 1 after a pilot phase that began in November 2024.
The EFS provides real-time visibility into commercial transactions, ensuring that invoices are authentic, accurate, and complete.
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Source: Legit.ng
