On May 28, 2023, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Act into law before leaving office. The comprehensive legislation is aimed at modernizing the country’s fiscal framework and enhancing fiscal transparency, generating revenue and promoting economic growth. One of its provisions was the introduction of a 10% tax on gains from the disposal of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies. This tax is an indication of Nigeria’s recognition of the growing influence and potential of digital assets while ensuring that the tax system is keeping pace with the evolving financial landscape.
The Nigerian government aims to create a level playing field by ensuring that digital asset holders contribute their share of taxes to the country’s development. Moreover, tax on cryptocurrencies is seen as a step toward recognizing cryptocurrencies as legitimate assets and integrating them into the existing financial and regulatory framework. This recognition comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria banned commercial banks from servicing crypto exchanges in February 2021.
Despite this progressive move, some crypto enthusiasts are not very receptive to the news. For instance, one anonymous crypto expert is concerned that the taxation of cryptocurrencies could be challenging due to the unique nature of digital assets and complexities related to valuation, tracking of transactions, and international complexities. Some netizens are also skeptical about the move, wondering what the government will provide in return for their capital gains.
In many cases, governments require the cooperation of crypto exchanges operating within their jurisdiction to track users’ capital gains. This data collection is critical for government taxation regimes. It enables authorities to access transaction data and identify individuals or entities for tax purposes. The level of cooperation and specific regulations by the exchanges vary from country to country. Some jurisdictions have implemented stricter requirements for exchanges to report user information, while others may have limited regulations or are still in the process of developing them.
In light of this development, Cointelegraph reached out to Binance Africa for comment. However, the exchange did not respond by publication time. The absence of a comment from the largest crypto exchange on the continent leaves us with many questions, particularly about what the regulations mean for crypto investors across Africa.
A recent study by Chainalysis ranked Nigeria as the second-largest cryptocurrency nation in the world after the United States, with a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading volume of over $400 million in 2021. The country has an active and vibrant crypto community spread across major Nigerian cities. The community will play a critical role as Nigeria implements the new taxation laws on crypto gains, providing insights into how the industry will react and adapt to the new legal framework.
This development comes at a time when countries worldwide are scrutinizing digital assets’ role in their economies, with some like El Salvador legalizing Bitcoin as legal tender. It is a bold move that positions cryptocurrencies at the center of economic development and signals the growing acceptance and recognition of digital assets in official government circles.
In conclusion, while the taxation of cryptocurrencies is a welcome move, there is a need for governments to establish clear guidelines and provide adequate education and support to taxpayers. Nigeria’s government must identify and engage with stakeholders in the crypto industry to ensure that the implementation of the new tax laws is smooth and that the thriving crypto community in Nigeria continues to grow and thrive.
