VERIFIED 2026 · FORMENZO
How much does it cost to set up a UAE company from Nigeria?
Setting up a UAE company costs the same for Nigerian founders as for anyone else: from AED 4,888 all-in for a free-zone licence, or AED 10,800 all-in with one UAE residence visa (Ajman NuVentures, the cheapest). You get 100% foreign ownership — no local partner or sponsor — 0% personal income tax in the UAE, and the licence issues in 3-8 working days. The process is remote-friendly, so most Nigerian founders start without relocating first. Note: income may still be taxable in your home country depending on your tax residency, so check the Nigeria-specific rules.
Formenzo publishes real, all-in 2026 figures, confirmed in writing, with no sales call. See the full Cost Index or the open price dataset (CC-BY).
Build your exact price →By the Formenzo Research Team · compare all 9 zones
What AED 4,888 and AED 10,800 actually buy
Both headline figures come from Ajman NuVentures Centre, the cheapest of the nine zones in the Cost Index. AED 4,888 covers the trade licence, authority fees and setup service with no visa; AED 10,800 adds one complete residence-visa process. Nigerian founders pay exactly these published rates — there is no nationality surcharge at any of the tracked zones.
Who picks this option
Common Lagos and Abuja profiles: importers who source in China and the UAE and want a Gulf company to hold supplier relationships, tech and fintech consultants invoicing international clients in dirhams rather than naira, and logistics or oil-services contractors using a UAE entity to bid for regional work. The guide for Nigerian founders walks through the route step by step.
Two things founders ask
Will a Nigerian passport slow down bank-account opening? Expect enhanced due diligence: UAE banks review applications closely, so have your licence, source-of-funds evidence and client contracts ready before you apply.
Can the fees be paid from Nigeria? Yes, by international transfer or card. Given naira transfer limits, most founders pay from a domiciliary account in US dollars.