AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Usually not on ordinary business-to-business services: where a VAT-registered Nigerian client receives no Nigerian tax invoice from a foreign supplier, it accounts for Nigerian VAT itself at 7.5% under a reverse charge. Digital services are different: Nigeria's tax reform acts treat VAT on a consumption basis and expect foreign providers to register and remit, and non-resident digital companies appointed by NRS must charge VAT. On the Ghana side, PwC notes that Act 1151 zero-rates exports and listed services.
A Ghana agency, software company or consultancy with Nigerian clients faces two VAT questions: does Ghana VAT apply to the invoice, and does Nigerian VAT? They are separate systems, and the answer to one does not settle the other.
Nigerian VAT: the basics
PwC's Nigeria summary, reviewed in May 2026, gives the VAT rate as 7.5%. Under the Tax Reform Acts 2025, Nigerian VAT is charged on a consumption basis, according to an analysis by WTS Blackwoodstone published on Mondaq in March 2026: the tax follows where the service is used, so services used in Nigeria fall within it even when the supplier is abroad.
When the Nigerian client accounts for the VAT
For services bought by Nigerian businesses, PwC describes a reverse charge where no tax invoice is received, and the WTS Blackwoodstone analysis says VAT-registered Nigerian business customers self-account. In practice, when a VAT-registered Lagos company buys consulting from your Ghana firm and you do not issue a Nigerian VAT invoice, the client works out 7.5% and pays it to NRS itself. Your invoice stays at the agreed price.
When you may need to register in Nigeria
The position is different for digital services and for suppliers selling to consumers, who cannot self-account.
- The WTS Blackwoodstone analysis says foreign providers must register and remit Nigerian VAT, and that the Nigeria Tax Act does not stipulate a threshold for significant economic presence.
- PwC says non-resident digital companies appointed by NRS charge, collect and remit VAT in the currency of the transaction.
- For income tax, PwC's Nigeria summary says a foreign digital entity has significant economic presence if it earns ₦25 million or more from Nigeria in a year, uses a .ng domain or Nigerian web address, or has purposeful and sustained engagement such as pricing in naira. Mondaq notes that the ₦25 million figure comes from the 2020 SEP Order for company income tax.
If you sell software subscriptions, online courses, streaming or similar digital services to Nigerians, especially consumers, take advice on registering with NRS. Our Nigeria library explains VAT on digital services sold into Nigeria. This article is information, not tax advice.
The Ghana side: is the export zero-rated?
PwC's Ghana summary, reviewed in March 2026, notes that the VAT Act, 2025 (Act 1151) zero-rates exports and listed services. Whether your particular service counts as exported depends on the Act's rules, for example where the service is used and who the client is. If it qualifies, you charge Ghana VAT at 0% and can still claim input VAT on your costs. If it does not, the standard 20% total of VAT, NHIL and GETFund applies; see VAT, NHIL and GETFund on a Ghana invoice and Ghana VAT on exported services.
A worked example
Example only: an Accra marketing agency invoices a VAT-registered Lagos bank ₦5,000,000 for a campaign strategy. The agency's adviser confirms the service is an export for Ghana VAT, so the invoice is zero-rated in Ghana. The agency issues no Nigerian VAT invoice. The bank self-accounts for Nigerian VAT of 7.5% × ₦5,000,000 = ₦375,000 and pays it to NRS. The agency receives ₦5,000,000, less any Nigerian withholding tax the bank deducts; see Nigerian withholding tax for non-resident companies.
Records to keep for both tax authorities
Keep the contract, the invoice, evidence of where the client is based and how the service was used, and the payment record. If your Nigerian client withholds tax, ask for the credit note or receipt. These papers support both the Ghana zero-rating and the Nigerian treatment if either authority asks. PwC's Ghana summary says Ghana records must be kept for at least six years; see records for cross-border payments from Ghana.
What to check first
- Is the client a VAT-registered business or a consumer?
- Is the service digital or delivered remotely in a way that falls within Nigeria's significant economic presence rules?
- Does your Ghana adviser agree the service is a zero-rated export under Act 1151?
- Does the contract say prices exclude Nigerian VAT and who bears withholding tax?
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Business Account gives a Ghana business naira account details, so Nigerian clients can pay by local transfer, and the balance stays in naira until you choose to convert with Swap.
Questions people ask
Do I charge 7.5% VAT to my Nigerian client from Ghana?
For a VAT-registered Nigerian business client, usually not: PwC describes a reverse charge where no tax invoice is received, and the client self-accounts. Digital and consumer sales can require you to register.
Is there a registration threshold for foreign suppliers in Nigeria?
WTS Blackwoodstone's analysis says the Nigeria Tax Act does not stipulate a threshold for significant economic presence; the ₦25 million figure comes from the 2020 SEP Order for company income tax.
Do I charge Ghana VAT on services to Nigeria?
PwC notes Act 1151 zero-rates exports and listed services. Whether your service qualifies depends on the Act's rules; confirm with GRA or an adviser.
What should my invoice to a Nigerian client say?
That you are a non-resident supplier, the price excludes Nigerian VAT, and whether any Ghana VAT is zero-rated.
Sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Nigeria, other taxes (reviewed 29 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Mondaq (WTS Blackwoodstone): taxation of digital activities and cross-border transactions under the Tax Reform Acts 2025 (11 Mar 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Nigeria, taxes on corporate income (reviewed 29 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Ghana, other taxes (reviewed 11 Mar 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Ghana, corporate tax administration (reviewed 11 Mar 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.