FIRS Partners With 16 Tech Firms To Drive E-Invoicing Adoption In Nigeria.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a significant step forward in modernising Nigeria’s tax system by unveiling 16 technology companies tasked with assisting taxpayers in adopting its e-invoicing platform before the 1 November 2025 deadline. The initiative, part of the FIRS’s broader digital transformation strategy, aims to enhance tax compliance, streamline processes, and boost transparency across business transactions.
The announcement was made during a two-day workshop in Lagos, where Mike Adoga, Acting Director of Tax Automation at FIRS, introduced the certified service providers. These companies, vetted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), include Pasca Technology Limited, Etranzact International Plc, Telepac Africa Nigeria Limited, and Remita Payment Limited, among others. Adoga emphasised that these firms have demonstrated nationwide service capacity, robust security, and cross-sector performance, ensuring they are well-equipped to support businesses in integrating with the e-invoicing system.
The FIRS’s e-invoicing platform, known as the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS), is a digital system designed to replace traditional paper-based invoices with structured electronic invoices. It facilitates real-time visibility into commercial transactions, ensuring authenticity and accuracy for Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Consumer (B2C), and Business-to-Government (B2G) transactions. The system, which went live on 1 August 2025 following a successful pilot phase that began in November 2024, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to curb tax evasion and modernise revenue collection.
Tayo Koleosho, Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, revealed that over 1,000 companies—representing 20% of the targeted 5,000 large taxpayers—have already onboarded the platform. Pioneering firms such as MTN Nigeria, Huawei Nigeria, and IHS Nigeria have led the way, with MTN becoming the first to transmit live electronic invoices. However, recognising the challenges faced by some businesses, the FIRS has extended the onboarding deadline by three months from the original 1 August target. “This extension is not an invitation to delay but an opportunity to ensure seamless integration,” Koleosho, represented by Director of Change Management Emmanuel Eze, stated at the workshop.
The FIRS has adopted a flexible approach, allowing taxpayers to choose their preferred service provider and switch if necessary, provided they inform the agency of any issues. Adoga stressed that the FIRS would maintain strict oversight, with the authority to delist any provider failing to meet the required standards. “If any provider is found in breach of our conditions, they will be removed,” he warned, underscoring the agency’s commitment to maintaining high standards.
The workshop also served as a platform for practical guidance, offering live technical demonstrations and insights into the integration process. With an estimated integration timeline of two to twelve weeks depending on complexity, the FIRS is intensifying support through webinars, sector-specific engagements, and a dedicated technical helpdesk to ensure all large taxpayers—defined as businesses with an annual turnover of ₦5 billion or more—are fully compliant by the deadline.
This e-invoicing initiative aligns with global best practices and supports the Nigerian government’s broader goals of enhancing revenue assurance and fostering a transparent business environment. As the FIRS continues to roll out the platform in phases, starting with large taxpayers before expanding to medium and emerging businesses, the move is expected to mark a transformative shift in Nigeria’s fiscal landscape.
