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Nigerian govt imposes 5% tax on telecom, betting services

Published

2 months ago

October 20, 2024

As part of a new plan to restructure the nation’s tax system, the Nigerian government has proposed a 5% excise fee on gaming and betting operations, and telecom services.

The bill was obtained from the National Assembly on October 4, 2024. It was titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions, and Instruments, and Related Matters.”

The goal of the new legislation, according to an examination of it on Friday, is to impose excise taxes on services like betting, lotteries, gaming, and telecoms that are offered in Nigeria.

According to a portion of the bill, the amount of an excisable transaction is the amount that the service provider charges for the service, expressed in both money and money’s worth.

“Services, including telecommunications, gaming, gambling, betting, and lotteries however described, provided in Nigeria shall be charged with duties of excise at the rates specified under the Tenth Schedule to this Act in a manner as may be prescribed by the Service.”

Telecom services, including postpaid and prepaid services governed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, will be subject to a 5% charge, according to a breakdown of the excise duty structure in the law.

Lottery services, gaming, gambling, and betting will all be charged at the same rate.

The bill also establishes criteria for currency transactions, stating that excise duty will apply to any discrepancy between the actual transaction rate and the current Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate.

Part of the government’s plan to increase non-oil revenue in the face of budgetary challenges is the new tax structure.

Authorities are trying to increase their revenue base because to the telecom and gambling industries’ explosive growth.

Additionally, the measure seeks to guarantee that currency trades match official CBN rates, with any discrepancy subject to excise duty under a model of self-assessment.

Related Topics:Featured Nigeria tax Telecom

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Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from 0.7% in October to 0.8% in November.

Monthly, consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from October.

The primary driver of inflation, food costs, grew by 0.8% compared to the previous year, while non-food inflation climbed by 0.7%. Core inflation, which does not include more erratic items like food, increased 2.6% annually and 0.2% monthly.

According to the central bank, inflation is expected to average 1% this year, down from 6.1% last year.

Despite the Al-Haouz earthquake, a spike in inflation, and worldwide economic challenges, Morocco’s GDP grew by 3.4% in 2023.

A recovery in tourism, robust industrial exports, and rising private consumption—all bolstered by prudent macroeconomic policies—were the main drivers of growth.

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Nigeria’s $42bn foreign reserves enough for 9 months’ imports— Central Bank

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the nation’s $42.01 billion in foreign reserves can cover imports of goods and services for almost nine months.

Cardoso promised Nigerians improved economic fortunes in 2025 while addressing the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions yesterday in Abuja at the presentation of the performance index report.

Cardoso stated: “External Reserves rose from $ 38.35 billion it was on September 30, 2024, to $ 42.01 billion as of December 12, 2024”.

He clarified that third-party receipts in Q3 2024 and revenues from taxes connected to crude oil were the main drivers of the rise in foreign reserves during the specified time.

“We saw remarkable improvements in our trade balance and maintained a current account surplus,” he added.

“Our external reserves level can finance over 9.09 months of import of goods and services or 13.91 months only, higher than the international benchmark of 3.0 months and a robust buffer against shocks”.

On cash shortage, the CBN boss reiterated the N150 million fine against any branch of banks caught illegally distributing new Naira notes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous elements and said the Nigerian economy will improve in 2025 through policies and measures.

He predicted a stronger economic future: “Despite our economy’s challenges, there are clear reasons for optimism.

“The gradual stabilization of the forex market, ongoing banking sector recapitalization, and positive growth trends in key sectors, especially the services sector, indicate a path toward recovery and stability.”