Nigeria, France sign tax administration pact to drive digital reforms ahead of 2026 transition

The Federal Government has signed a landmark cooperation agreement with France to accelerate the digital transformation of Nigeria’s tax administration, boost cross-border enforcement, and strengthen institutional capacity.

The pact, signed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFIP), comes just weeks before FIRS transitions into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in January 2026.

A statement released Wednesday via the Presidency’s official X handle said the memorandum of understanding focuses on modernising revenue systems through improved compliance management, enhanced taxpayer services, and data-driven enforcement.

Read Also: What Nigeria must learn from MTN

According to the statement, the partnership also prioritises workforce development — with both countries committing to building professional standards, strengthening human capital, and developing globally competent teams to support the future of public finance administration.

The agreement further expands cooperation in international taxation, including information exchange, transfer pricing, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) mechanisms. Officials say the enhanced collaboration is expected to deepen transparency, improve enforcement frameworks, and position Nigeria’s tax system for greater operational efficiency.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date