Abuja Chamber of Commerce Seeks Special Protection For Small Businesses

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged the federal government to grant special protection to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the new tax implementation framework scheduled to take effect in January 2026.

The ACCI president, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the Chamber’s 2025 End-of-Year Media Parley, where he expressed concerns over the potential impact of the new tax regime on small businesses.

“MSMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet they continue to grapple with rising operational costs, limited access to finance, unreliable power supply and regulatory bottlenecks,” Obegolu said. “It is therefore critical that they receive special consideration under the new tax framework.”

He said ACCI supports government efforts to reform the tax system but warned that reforms must strike a balance between revenue generation and business sustainability.

“While we acknowledge the government’s commitment to redesigning the tax architecture for improved revenue generation, economic expansion, not taxation, is the most sustainable path to increased government revenue,” he stated.

The ACCI president called for simplified compliance procedures and reduced penalties for MSMEs, noting that complex tax processes could discourage small businesses and undermine job creation.

“Tax reforms must eliminate multiple taxation, and tax administration must be transparent, efficient and technology-driven to reduce human interference and improve compliance,” Obegolu said.

He also emphasised the importance of ongoing stakeholder engagement beyond the January 2026 rollout of the policy.

“Stakeholder engagement must not end with implementation.

There must be continuous feedback and adjustments to address challenges faced by businesses, especially MSMEs,” he added.

Obegolu further urged the authorities to issue clear and accessible guidelines ahead of the rollout and adopt a phased implementation approach where necessary to allow businesses adequate time to adjust.

He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to working with government agencies and tax authorities to build a tax system that is fair, growth-oriented and supportive of enterprise development in the Federal Capital Territory.

Obegolu also commended the media for its role in bridging the gap between policy, business and the public, calling for continued balanced reportage that strengthens investor confidence and supports economic growth.