Introduction

Nigeria; home to more than 220 million people and one of Africa’s most influential economies, has become a major destination for global investors seeking a strong foothold in West Africa. With rapid digital modernisation, expanding industrial zones, broad infrastructure upgrades, and direct access to a 400 million consumer ECOWAS market, Nigeria presents a powerful opportunity for Vietnamese businesses aiming at African expansion.

Vietnam and Nigeria maintain growing economic ties driven by collaboration in:

• agro-processing & agricultural exports

• construction, engineering & EPC contracting

• telecommunications and digital services

• oil & gas technology & servicing

• electronics, machinery & manufacturing

• maritime logistics & port operations

• FMCG, textiles, and food-value chains

Reports from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), and Afreximbank show a steady rise in Vietnam–Nigeria commercial flows. This growth is especially visible among Vietnamese companies seeking new markets for manufacturing, agriculture, seafood exports, IT services, and consumer goods.

Vietnamese firms; whether based in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, or industrial zones across the country, now increasingly view Nigeria as a high growth base for West African operations.

This guide explains how a Vietnamese individual, corporate entity, or investor group can register a Nigerian company remotely from Vietnam, without traveling.
It includes full CAC requirements, documentation, timelines, banking activation rules, and immigration procedures such as:

• Expatriate Quota

• STR Visa

• CERPAC Residency Card

These are necessary for obtaining BVN/NIN, which grant full operational authority in Nigeria.

1. Nigeria’s Fully Digital & AI-Driven Incorporation System

Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) operates a modern, AI-assisted Company Registration Portal (CRP) that enables full remote incorporation.

Why this benefits Vietnamese investors

Vietnamese investors familiar with Vietnam’s National Business Registration Portal will find the CAC system similarly convenient.

2. Why Nigeria Attracts Vietnamese Investors

Nigeria and Vietnam share strong complementarities across manufacturing, agriculture, digital services, construction, and logistics.

a. Agriculture, Food Processing & Value Chains

Vietnam is a global exporter of:

• rice

• seafood

• coffee & pepper

• cashews

• fruits

• agri-machinery

Nigeria’s enormous demand for food imports and large agricultural zones create natural commercial opportunities for Vietnamese agribusiness enterprises.

b. Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Services

Vietnam’s growing upstream and downstream expertise (via PVN and local EPC contractors) aligns with Nigeria’s major hydrocarbons sector.

Vietnamese companies can tap into:

• refinery and gas-processing technology

• engineering and mechanical services

• offshore support & fabrication

• petroleum equipment supply

c. ICT, Software Services & Fintech

Nigeria is Africa’s largest fintech ecosystem.
Vietnam is quickly becoming an outsourcing hub for:

• software development

• cybersecurity

• payment systems

• mobile apps

• artificial intelligence solutions

A Vietnam–Nigeria technology bridge is increasingly attractive.

d. Construction, EPC & Infrastructure

Vietnamese contractors have strong experience in:

• road, bridge & tunnel construction

• industrial estate development

• energy & power infrastructure

Nigeria’s large infrastructure spending provides long term prospects.

Key Advantages to Vietnamese Investors

3. Requirements to Register a Nigerian Company from Vietnam

Foreigners usually register a Private Limited Liability Company (LLC), equivalent to Vietnam’s Công ty TNHH structure.

A. Reserve Your Company Name

Submit name choices through CAC.

Examples:

• VietGulf Energy Nigeria Ltd

• Indo-Sahel Logistics Nigeria Ltd

Approval time: Minutes after name submission

B. Director & Shareholder Information Required

• Full Name

• Gender

• Nationality (Vietnamese)

• Date of Birth

• Email & Mobile Number

• Residential Address

• Occupation

Minimum: 1 director
Maximum: Unlimited

C. Required Share Capital

Foreign-participation share capital requirement:

₦100,000,000

Ownership structure:

• 100% Vietnamese-owned

• Joint Venture e.g., 90% Vietnamese, 10% Nigerian

D. Define Business Activities

Examples:

• EPC & engineering

• Telecom & ICT

• Oil & gas servicing

• Maritime logistics

• Agriculture & agro-processing

• Fintech & digital solutions

• Manufacturing & machinery supply

E. Upload Digital Documents

• Vietnamese passport (clear scan)
• Signature on blank sheet

F. Provide a Nigerian Registered Office Address

Required for all companies.
Vietnamese investors may use a professional registered office service initially.

4. Can a Vietnamese Be the Sole Director & Shareholder?

Yes, Vietnamese nationals may own 100% of the Nigerian company.

However: operational control requires BVN + NIN, which are only issued after residency approval.

To obtain these, the investor must complete:

1. Expatriate Quota (Ministry of Interior)
2. STR Visa (issued in Vietnam)
3. CERPAC Residency Card

Without these, the investor cannot:

• open a corporate bank account as signatory

• file certain regulatory documents

• act as resident director

Temporary Solution Used by Foreign Investors

Since a BVN/NIN cannot be issued abroad:

• Appoint a temporary Nigerian director to open the corporate bank account and activate early operations.

Once the Vietnamese director obtains:

• Expatriate Quota
• STR Visa
• CERPAC → BVN → NIN

The temporary director can be removed.

5. Step-By-Step Incorporation Process

Documents issued:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• CAC Status Report

• Memorandum & Articles of Association

All include QR-coded verification.

6. Post-Incorporation Compliance Requirements

7. Opening a Nigerian Corporate Bank Account

Required Documents

• CAC Certificate
• TIN
• SCUML
• Passport(s)
• Nigerian office address

Bank Signatory Requirements

To become a signatory, an individual must have:

• BVN

• NIN

• Nigeria-registered phone number

Since Vietnamese investors cannot obtain these abroad:

• A temporary Nigerian director is required until CERPAC residency is issued.

8. Cost Breakdown (Standard Fees)

• Total Estimated Cost: $3,650
• Overall Timeline: 30–35 working days

9. Immigration Requirements for Vietnamese Nationals

To operate inside Nigeria, the Vietnamese director must secure:

Without CERPAC, you may own the company but cannot act as operational director.

10. Vietnam–Nigeria Trade & Investment Snapshot

Vietnam → Nigeria (Exports & Investment Areas)

• rice, noodles & food products

• machinery & manufacturing inputs

• textiles, garments & footwear

• ICT & fintech platforms

• agro-processing technology

• construction/EPC services

Nigeria → Vietnam (Exports)

• agricultural commodities (sesame, cocoa, cashew)

• LNG-related services

• minerals

• chemicals & FMCG goods

High-Growth Sectors for Vietnamese Investors

• Agro-processing & food distribution
• Construction, EPC & industrial infrastructure
• Oil & gas servicing
• Digital payments & cybersecurity
• Logistics & maritime operations
• Manufacturing & machinery supply

Conclusion

Nigeria’s digitalised company registration system makes it straightforward for Vietnamese investors to incorporate a business entirely online, without leaving Vietnam.

After completing:

• Expatriate Quota
• STR Visa
• CERPAC Residency

the Vietnamese director receives BVN, NIN, and gains full operational authority, including corporate banking rights.

From Hanoi to Lagos, Ho Chi Minh City to Abuja, and Da Nang to Port Harcourt, Vietnamese investors now have a clear, legally compliant, and commercially powerful pathway into West Africa’s largest economy.