Crowdfunding in Nigeria: what does the law say about this?

Crowdfunding in Nigeria: what does the law say about this?

October 05, 2021

Crowdfunding is when a large number of persons contribute a small amount of money for a project or investment. An Example of crowdfunding is GoFundme.

Crowdfunding is a legally acceptable means of raising money in Nigeria and it is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC amended its rules in 2021 to include regulation on crowdfunding, more particularly investment crowd funding and it defines the model as the raising of funds from the public through an online portal in exchange for shares, debt securities, or other investment instruments approved by the SEC.

Who is a fund raiser?

A Fund raiser is defined under the rules as a company seeking to raise capital through the issuance of investment instruments to members of the public through a crowdfunding portal.

SEC also stated the type of entities that are allowed to go into crowd funding in Nigeria;

  1. it must be a registered company incorporated in Nigeria;
  2. It must be an MSME Micro, small and Medium Enterprises; and
  • It must be in operation for 2 years or has a technical partner with over two years’ experience or a major investor.

Despite the above rules, certain companies are prohibited from running a crowdfund. This includes listed companies and their subsidiaries, companies deemed suspicious, companies with no clear-cut business plan or companies whose owners can not be easily ascertained.

There is also a minimum amount that can be raised in crowdfunding under the rules and it depends on the type of company. For instance, Micro companies cannot raise more than 50 million for 12months. This limit does not in any way affect Commodities Investment platforms (CIP).

The rules also protects a retail investor while an individual investor is allowed only to invest 10 percent of what he/she receives annually.

 

 

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, no information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or professional advice from the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer. This post is protected by intellectual property law and regulations. It may however be shared using appropriate sharing tools provided that our authorship is always acknowledged and this Disclaimer Notice attached.

More Articles

Search

Connect With Us

Got any questions?

If you are having any questions, please feel free to ask.

Send us an email

Frequently Asked

  • Why must I file Annual Returns?

    It is a mandatory statutory requirement under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to file Annual Returns yearly. 
  • What’s the difference between a business name and an LLC?

    • A business name is a sole proprietorship, usually owned and managed by one individual only. Legally, the sole proprietor and his business are one. It simply means an individual trading with an alias. The sole proprietor is personally liable for all business related obligations.

    • A limited liability company on the other hand is a separate business entity from the individuals that hold its shares and act as directors. Legally, it’s a separate business entity and a person on its own who can transact business, own property separate from its owners and can sue or be sued. 
  • What is an execution clause in a contract?

    This is the section in which the parties sign the contract or agreement.
  • If I have NAFDAC Registration number, do I still need SON registration number?

    SON Product Registration scheme is mandatory for all SON’s regulated products as mandated by SON Act 56 of 1971, 20 of 1984, 18 of 1990 as amended.

    This is irrespective of the registration done by NAFDAC
  • What is personal data?

    This is any information that can be used to identify an identifiable human person such passport photograph.
  • Why should I protect an industrial design?
    1. It gives commercial value to the owner.
    2. It protects the owner of the design from imitation of the design..
    3. It constitutes an asset of the company and it helps in fair return on investment.
  • Is there a penalty for late renewal of registration of products with NAFDAC?

    Yes, there is a late renewal fee, which is dependent on the category of the product.
  • Can my kids be shareholders in my company?

    Yes your kids can hold shares in your company but there must be a minimum of two adult shareholders before kids can be included.
  • Does Trademark registration protect my website domain name?

    Yes, it does.
All FAQs
Call Us Now on +234 901 719 0079 Chat on WhatsApp