U.S. companies interested in doing business in Nigeria should start by contacting their domestic Commercial Service office to obtain preliminary market research about the market and to understand the various resources and services available. Once Nigeria is selected as a potential market, you will be introduced to the Commercial Service office in Lagos. From there, the team of American Commercial Officers and local Commercial Specialists will provide further guidance and up-to-date market intelligence to guide your next steps.
To establish a presence in Nigeria, we recommend that U.S. firms employ an agent or distributor relationship with a locally registered company. Many foreign manufacturers and suppliers appoint one or more agents or distributors to accommodate Nigeria’s geographical size and ethnic diversity. In Nigeria’s complicated legal environment, all relevant terms and conditions of such arrangements must be carefully negotiated.