NOTE: All fees are denominated in USD and payable in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate on the enepza issued-invoice. Payments are made via the eNEPZA online portal.
- SERVICES FOR ZONE PROMOTERS / DEVELOPERS
- Free Zone Designation (Zone Declaration Certificate)
Who May Apply
Any individual, corporate entity, government body, or public-private partnership (PPP) seeking to establish a Free Zone or Industrial City/Park in Nigeria under NEPZA regulation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a legal entity (public, private, or PPP) capable of bearing the rights and obligations of a Zone Promoter.
- Proposed land must be identifiable, C of O must have been issued or long leased-period, the land must be unencumbered, accessible for inspection, and capable of meeting Free Zone development standards.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial capacity to develop and operate a Free Zone.
- Proposed zone activities must align with NEPZA’s strategic economic objectives.
- Proposed zone activities must be legal and permissible.
- Must be willing to comply with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act (Cap N107, LFN 2004) and all applicable NEPZA regulations.
Documentary Requirements
- Letter of Application from the Zone Promoter.
- Detailed supporting documents as specified on the NEPZA document checklist (available at www.nepza.gov.ng).
- Evidence of payment of processing fee of USD 10,000 (payable in Naira at CBN rate).
- Availability of the proposed site for the NEPZA site assessment.
- Payment of the Declaration Certificate Fee upon Presidential approval: USD 400,000 (Free Zone) or USD 500,000 (Industrial City/Park), via the eNEPZA platform, in Naira at the CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 10,000 (Processing) + USD 400,000 or USD 500,000 (Declaration Certificate) |
Multi-step; NEPZA internal steps completed within defined windows. Presidency approval timeline is outside NEPZA’s direct control. |
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NOTE: The Recommendation Letter to the Presidency is processed through FMITI. The timeline at the Ministry and Presidency is outside NEPZA’s direct control. NEPZA commits to completing all internal steps within stated timelines. |
- Extension / Variation of Zone Land
Who May Apply
Zone Promoters/ZMC who already hold a Declaration Certificate and wish to expand, reduce, or otherwise alter the physical boundaries of their declared zone.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must hold a valid NEPZA Declaration Certificate for the zone in question.
- Proposed extension must be identifiable, C of O must have been issued or long leased-period, the land must be unencumbered, accessible for inspection, and capable of meeting Free Zone development standards.
- Proposed variation must be technically and operationally justified.
- All existing NEPZA obligations (fees, compliance) must be in good standing.
Documentary Requirements
- Formal application letter.
- Approved extant survey plan for the current zone.
- New survey plan reflecting the proposed variation.
- Other requisite land-related documents as specified by NEPZA.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 0.35 per sqm of the affected area (payable in Naira at CBN rate).
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 0.35 per sqm of affected area |
Site assessment within 5 working days of submission; approval/documentation issuance within 12 working days after site inspection. |
- SERVICES FOR FREE ZONE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (FZMCs)
- FZMC Registration Certificate & Operating License
Who May Apply
Corporate entities seeking to be licensed by NEPZA to develop, manage, and operate a Free Zone on behalf of a Zone Promoter.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must have a formal mandate or agreement from the Zone Promoter authorising the FZMC to manage the zone.
- Directors and shareholders must satisfy NEPZA’s fit-and-proper requirements; identification documents are required.
- Applicant must not have outstanding regulatory sanctions or disqualifications under Nigerian law.
- Must demonstrate technical and financial capacity to manage and operate a Free Zone.
Documentary Requirements
- Completed NEPZA registration forms.
- Completed NEPZA NFIU form
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMART) of the company.
- Means of identification for all directors and shareholders.
- Passport photographs of all directors and shareholders.
- Any additional documents listed by NEPZA from time to time.
- Evidence of payment of fees: USD 3,000 (Registration Certificate) + USD 100,000 (Operating License), via eNEPZA in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 3,000 (Registration Certificate) + USD 100,000 (Operating License) |
Submission acknowledged within 1 working day; application review within 4 working days; issuance within 2 working days of completion. |
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NOTE: Incomplete submissions will delay the formal review, and will be communicated to applicant within 1 working day. NEPZA will not begin review until all required documents are received. |
- Operating License Renewal (FZMC)
Who May Apply
Free Zone Management Companies holding an existing but expiring NEPZA Operating License.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must currently hold a valid (or recently expired) NEPZA Operating Licence.
- Must be in good regulatory standing — no outstanding compliance defaults, sanctions, or fee arrears.
- Annual filing obligations (annual returns, etc.) must be up to date.
Documentary Requirements
- Application letter for renewal.
- Photocopy of current Operating Licence.
- Evidence of renewal fee payment: USD 60,000 (Free Trade Zones) or USD 100,000 (Industrial Cities/Parks), via eNEPZA in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 60,000 (Free Trade Zones) / USD 100,000 (Industrial Cities/Parks) |
Acknowledged within 1 working day; review within 1 working day; renewed OPL issued within 2 working days of full submission and payment confirmation. |
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NOTE: Early renewal is strongly recommended to avoid operational disruption. |
- Building Plan Approval
Who May Apply
Zone Promoters / FZMCs intending to undertake any construction activity within a declared Free Zone.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must hold a valid NEPZA Declaration Certificate (Zone Promoter) or Operating Licence (FZMC) for the relevant zone.
- Proposed construction must be within the declared/approved zone boundaries.
- No construction may commence without prior NEPZA Building Plan Approval.
Documentary Requirements
- Detailed building plan for the proposed structure.
- Relevant land-related documents for the site.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 0.35 per sqm of building footprint, via eNEPZA in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 0.35 per sqm of building footprint |
Acknowledged within 1 working day; site inspection scheduled within 3 working days of submission; Building Plan Approval issued within 5 working days of site inspection. |
- SERVICES FOR FREE ZONE ENTERPRISES (FZEs)
- FZE Registration Certificate
Who May Apply
Business entities (local or foreign) seeking to be registered and licensed to operate within a declared Free Zone in Nigeria.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a registrable business entity.
- Must intend to operate within a declared Free Zone under NEPZA’s jurisdiction.
- Proposed business activity must fall within an approved category for Free Zone operations (manufacturing, trade, services, etc.).
- Directors and shareholders must provide valid identification.
- Application must be endorsed and routed through the Zone Management Company (ZMC) of the relevant zone; direct submissions to NEPZA without ZMC endorsement will not be processed.
Documentary Requirements
- Completed NEPZA registration forms (submitted through ZMC).
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMART).
- Means of identification for all directors and shareholders.
- Passport photographs of all directors and shareholders.
- Evidence of registration fee payment: USD 3,000, via eNEPZA in Naira at CBN rate.
- Any additional documents listed by NEPZA from time to time.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 3,000 |
ZMC forwards to NEPZA within 1 working day of complete submission; NEPZA review within 2 working days; Registration Certificate issued within 2 working days of full submission and payment confirmation. |
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NOTE: Operating License fee for FZEs is determined by and paid to the Zone Management Company, not NEPZA. |
- FZE Operating License (OPL)
Who May Apply
Registered Free Zone Enterprises seeking authorisation to commence or continue business operations within their declared Free Zone.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must hold a valid NEPZA Registration Certificate.
- Proposed activities must align with the enterprise’s registered objects.
- Application must be submitted through the relevant Zone Management Company.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Report must be provided where applicable.
Documentary Requirements
- Photocopy of NEPZA Registration Certificate.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Feasibility Report.
- Evidence of OPL fee payment (fee determined by and paid to the Zone Management Company).
- Any other documents required by NEPZA.
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Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
Determined by and payable to the Zone Management Company |
FZMC determined |
- GENERAL POST-REGISTRATION SERVICES (All Investor Categories)
- Change of Name (Zone / FZMC / FZE)
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered Zone Promoter, Free Zone Management Company, or Free Zone Enterprise seeking to change its registered name.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a currently registered and active entity with NEPZA.
- The new name must not conflict with an existing registered entity.
- Name change must be approved at the company/zone level by the Board of Directors.
Documentary Requirements
- Application letter.
- Original Declaration Certificate / License / Registration Certificate.
- Board resolution approving the name change.
- Any other documents requested by NEPZA.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 300, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 300 |
Documents reviewed within 2 working days; new certificate/licence issued within the 2-working-day window. |
- Change of Directors / Shareholders
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity (Zone / FZMC / FZE) undergoing a change in directorship or shareholding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Incoming directors/shareholders must meet NEPZA’s fit-and-proper identification requirements.
- Change must be properly approved by the existing Board.
- The entity must be in good regulatory standing with NEPZA.
Documentary Requirements
- NEPZA Form 1.
- Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Form.
- 3 copies of the new MEMART reflecting the change.
- Board resolution approving the change.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 100, in Naira at CBN rate.
- Any other documents requested by NEPZA.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 100 |
Documents reviewed within 2 working days; Certified True Copies of Form 1 and updated MEMART delivered within the 2-working-day window. |
- Change of Objects
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity seeking to alter the objects clause of its Memorandum & Articles of Association.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a currently active NEPZA-registered entity.
- Proposed new objects must be permissible activities within the Free Zone scheme.
- Change must be Board-approved.
Documentary Requirements
- NEPZA Form 1.
- Board resolution approving the change of objects.
- 3 copies of the updated MEMART.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 50, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 50 |
Review, processing, and delivery of updated documentation within 2 working days of full submission. |
- Alteration of Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMART)
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity seeking to alter its MEMART for any reason other than a change of objects (which has a separate process).
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a currently active NEPZA-registered entity.
- Proposed alterations must be legally permissible under Nigerian company law and NEPZA regulations.
- Alteration must be Board-approved.
Documentary Requirements
- NEPZA Form 1.
- Board resolution.
- 3 copies of the updated MEMART.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 500, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 500 |
Review, processing, and delivery of updated documentation within 2 working days of full submission. |
- Increase in Share Capital
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity proposing to increase its issued or authorised share capital.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a currently active NEPZA-registered entity.
- Proposed increase must be Board-approved and reflected in updated MEMART.
Documentary Requirements
- NEPZA Form 1.
- Board resolution reflecting the new share capital.
- 3 copies of the updated MEMART.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 500, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 500 |
Review, processing, and delivery of updated documentation within 2 working days of full submission. |
- Searches
Who May Apply
Any person or entity (investor, legal practitioner, third party) requiring access to documents held in NEPZA’s registry for due diligence or other lawful purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to any applicant with a legitimate need to inspect registry records.
- Applicant must specify the entity/document to be searched.
Documentary Requirements
- Application letter specifying the search required.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 100, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 100 |
NEPZA locates and retrieves the relevant file/folder and makes it available within 2 working days of full submission. |
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NOTE: Delays may occur if the relevant file is active and in transit, or if the Remita platform experiences downtime. |
- Certified True Copy (CTC)
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity or authorised third party requiring an officially certified copy of a document held in NEPZA’s registry.
Eligibility Criteria
- Document requested must be one held in NEPZA’s official registry.
- Applicant must specify the document type.
Documentary Requirements
- Application letter specifying the document(s) required.
- Evidence of fee payment per document type (see below), in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
MEMART: USD 1,000 | Certificate of Registration: USD 500 | Agreement / OPL / Change of Ownership: USD 2,000 each | Other Documents: USD 300 or USD 50 per page |
Processing and certification within 2 working days of full submission. |
- Registration of Instruments
Who May Apply
Any NEPZA-registered entity seeking to register a debenture or obtain NEPZA’s consent to a charge or instrument over zone assets.
Eligibility Criteria
- The registering entity may be a free zone entity or other person who is a party to any legal instrument involving a free zone entity that requires registration with NEPZA
- The instrument must registrable, valid, and duly executed by the parties concerned.
- The consent of the management of the affected zone must be first sought and obtained.
Documentary Requirements
- 3 original copies of the instrument (4 copies if a tripartite agreement).
- Board resolution of the affected free zone entity.
- Evidence of fee payment: Debenture — USD 5,000 per every USD 1,000,000 of debenture value; Consent — USD 100.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
Debenture: USD 5,000 per USD 1m of debenture value | Consent: USD 100 |
SLA: ≤ 2 working days. Actual practice: up to 5 working days due to workload and inter-departmental liaison. NEPZA is committed to addressing this through process improvement. |
- Filing of Annual Returns
Who May Apply
All Free Zone Management Companies and Free Zone Enterprises registered with NEPZA.
Eligibility Criteria
- All FZMCs and FZEs are required by law to file annual returns with NEPZA.
- Annual returns must be filed within 6 months of the end of the entity’s financial year.
Documentary Requirements
- Duly signed NEPZA Annual Returns Form.
- 3 copies of audited financial statements for the year under review.
- Evidence of fee payment: USD 100, in Naira at CBN rate.
|
Applicable Fee |
Processing Timeline |
|
USD 100 |
Processing and issuance of Certified True Copy within 2 working days of full submission. |
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NOTE: Failure to file annual returns may result in regulatory sanctions. |