We will work together to implement the law that will support the growth of the tech startup ecosystem.

About the Startup Act

The Nigeria Startup Act project is a joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential of our digital economy through co-created regulations. The Act is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria's laws and regulations are clear, planned and work for the tech ecosystem. This, we believe, will contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for the growth of the ecosystem, as well as the attraction and protection of investment in tech startups.

The Act was signed into law by H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari on the 19th of October, 2022. Over 30 leaders in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem contributed to its drafting between June and September 2021.

Our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad. Their ingenuity, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is evident to all.

We will partner with the legislature to develop an enabling environment to turn their passions into ideas that can be supported, groomed and scaled.

His Excellency

Muhammadu Buhari

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Timeline

First draft produced

June 2021

We harmonise existing laws/regulations and feed input to the legal framework from key ecosystem leaders (MDAs, States, Networks).

First draft validated

July 2021

The first draft of the bill is reviewed by ecosystem leaders and representatives, as well as the Presidential Working Group composed of MDA decision-makers critical to implementing components of the bill.

Town Halls

August 2021

The presidential announcement and town hall meetings take place for public consultation and validation of the second draft of the bill. This sees the participation of ecosystem stakeholders at the state level in all geopolitical zones.

Final Draft Produced

September 2021

Drafting teams take all the input and make revisions to feed into the final bill.

Bill Submitted

October 2021

The bill is submitted to the President who then submits Executive Bill to the National Assembly.

Assembly floor

December 2021

The bill is sent to the National Assembly.

Public Hearing

June 2022

The National Assembly holds a public hearing of the bill

Bill Passed

July 2022

The National Assembly passes the Nigerian Startup Bill.

Bill becomes Act

October 2022

The Nigeria Startup Bill receives presidential assent to become the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).

Summary of the Act

Click here to view summary

Preview of the Act

The Nigeria Startup Act is targeted at fostering the creation and development of an enabling environment for technology-enabled startups in Nigeria and for related matters.

Click here to view the act

News and Updates

1 year ago

Presidential Assent of the Nigeria Startup Bill

1 year ago

The Nigeria Startup Act: A new dawn for the Nigerian startup ecosystem

1 year ago

Enabling the Next Wave of Growth for Technology Companies in Africa

1 year ago

Nigeria Startup Bill becomes Act as Presidency signs it into law

1 year ago

The NSB and its Harmonization with Other Laws

1 year ago

Unlocking the wheels of Nigerian innovation: A look at the startup bill

Videos

1 year ago

The Nigeria Startup Bill is now an Act!

1 year ago

The Nigeria Startup Bill receives presidential assent

1 year ago

Why should startups be excited about the Nigeria Startup Act?

1 year ago

What do your Reps and Senators Have to Say About the Nigeria Startup Bill?

1 year ago

Temi Marcella Awogboro Speaks on the Nigeria Startup Bill

1 year ago

Victoria Manya Speaks on the Nigeria Startup Bill

1 year ago

NIGERIA STARTUP BILL AND YOU || EPISODE 5: THE BILL'S JOURNEY

The Nigeria Startup Bill is now an Act!

Got ideas to contribute?

Here you can have your say on the Act, indicating challenges yet to be addressed, propose additional policy solutions or propose amendments to specific articles.

Call:

01-888-5011

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading this initiative?

The Nigeria Startup Act project is a joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential of our digital economy through co-created regulations. While this is our act; it is being project managed by the Ventures Platform Foundation and supervised by the Presidential Strategic Advisory Group composed of stakeholder representatives from the tech-startup ecosystem in Nigeria.

How do we ensure all tech sectors are covered?

By jointly reviewing the drafts of the act and giving your inputs. You can participate by clicking on here

How does the Nigeria Startup Act impact tech startups, particularly those developing tools like VAT calculators for South Africa?

The Nigeria Startup Act provides a framework that fosters innovation and supports tech startups developing digital tools, including VAT calculators for regions like South Africa. The Act offers legal protections, tax incentives, and streamlined regulations, which can help Nigerian startups expand globally and develop solutions tailored to specific markets, such as VAT compliance tools for South Africa. This supportive environment encourages cross-border tech innovations, allowing startups to grow and scale efficiently.

Has this been successful anywhere else?

Yes. Other African countries like Senegal and Tunisia have passed their own startup bills.

How is this different from past attempts?

We are adopting a collaborative approach to drive this cause. We have tagged this collaborative framework the Big Tent approach, which in other words, means the bill is owned by the ecosystem. The process of engagement involves all relevant stakeholders in the startup ecosystem including the government (both at regional and federal levels, as well as across the legislative, executive and judiciary arms of government to develop and submit the bill to be signed into law. This is an initiative together with #i4Policy, and, is being supported by the Innovation for Policy Foundation, an organization working to increase public policy co-creation that has experience in facilitating the co-design of startup policy and legislative frameworks in more than a dozen African countries. We are also identifying existing laws/regulations and harmonising them into this bill. We are also using the bill as an opportunity to update existing but outdated laws.