Gadget prices in Nigeria are under reenergised stress, and this time, taxes are part of the issue.
New tax laws signed into law in mid-2025 are now being enforced more in 2026, and their effects are beginning to show up at phone shops, online marketplaces, and importer warehouses.
For consumers looking to buy smartphones, laptops, or other electronics, the question is no longer whether prices will change, but how and by how much.
At the centre of it all is Value Added Tax. The 7.5% VAT on imported electronics has not changed, but enforcement has. Digital invoicing and closer monitoring mean the tax is now being applied more consistently at the point of sale.
In practical terms, devices that previously slipped through informal channels are now being sold with VAT clearly added.
On a ₦500,000 laptop, that is an extra ₦37,500. For many buyers, especially freelancers and small business owners, that difference matters.
The upside is that tough enforcement is also reducing hidden charges and price manipulation. Importers say transparent laws are making it harder for dishonest sellers to undercut the market with untaxed stock, slowly levelling the playing field.
Import Duty Relief Offers Some Breathing Space
There is some relief on the import side. The suspension of certain overlapping levies, including the 4% Free on Board charge and other adjustment taxes, has reduced landing costs for electronics coming in from markets such as China and the United States.
Importers estimate savings of between 2% and 6%. That may not sound dramatic, but in a market battered by currency swings, every margin counts. A smartphone that once landed at ₦300,000 could now arrive closer to ₦285,000 before VAT is applied.
Whether those savings reach consumers depends on how much pressure retailers feel to compete.
Lower Corporate Taxes Could Shape Retail Pricing
Another change sits further up the chain. Company Income Tax has been reduced from 30% to 25% in 2026, easing the burden on formal retailers and importers.
For large gadget sellers and e-commerce platforms, the cut creates room to run discounts, absorb exchange-rate shocks, or stabilise prices during peak buying periods. Some retailers are already signalling promotional campaigns later in the year, particularly if customs and tax enforcement remain predictable.
Still, no one is expecting miracles. Inflation, naira weakness, and dollar shortages continue to dominate pricing decisions.
Cost-of-Living Relief May Influence Buying Behaviour
Beyond gadgets themselves, the tax reforms have removed VAT from essentials such as rent, transport, and basic food items. The idea is simple: reduce pressure on household spending so consumers have more flexibility elsewhere.
For a freelancer saving a few thousand naira each month on essentials, that breathing room can go towards accessories, repairs, or delayed upgrades. It is an indirect effect, but one that matters in a country where most tech purchases are paid for upfront.
A Market Already Under Strain
Nigeria’s gadget market remains heavily import-dependent. Popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, HP, and Lenovo dominate shelves, but their prices are affected by forces outside the country.
Inflation hovered near 30% towards the end of 2025. The naira lost further ground. Supply chains were disrupted by foreign exchange constraints. As a result, gadget prices rose by as much as 20% to 50% year-on-year in some categories.
The 2026 tax reforms sit on top of these realities. They aim to clean up revenue collection and remove inefficiencies, but they cannot, on their own, reverse broader economic pressures.
What Buyers Should Watch This Year
For consumers, the smartest move in 2026 is to stay alert.
Track price movements on major platforms such as Jumia and Konga. Watch how established retailers like Slot adjust pricing as the year unfolds. Insist on proper VAT receipts to avoid inflated charges. And keep an eye on official updates from the Nigeria Revenue Service, especially around digital tax tools and import policies.
The Bottom Line
The new tax regime does not spell doom for gadget buyers, but it does demand realism. VAT is being applied more consistently, and that raises upfront costs. At the same time, import duty reliefs and lower corporate taxes offer counterweights that could soften the blow.
If enforcement stays steady and inflation eases, prices may stabilise rather than spike. For now, buying decisions in 2026 will come down to timing, trust, and a proper understanding of how these tax rules actually play out on the ground.
